Rating: Summary: Unplugged Floyd. Review: As is the habit of most artists nowadays to go unplugged,ever since the huge success that Eric Clapton had with his own version,David Gilmour's welcome comeback to live shows after few years absence,is largely an acoustic interpretation of classic Floyd songs, some solo numbers and a long overdue tribute to Syd Barrett. Being a huge fan of Pink Floyd for a number of years,I very much enjoyed watching this DVD, yet not without some mixed feelings about some of the songs.Overall,the selection is great: Although Gilmour's voice seemed a bit tired, and not what it used to be,his bluesy playing was excellent.All the guest musicians are some of the best in the business, especially the long term Floyd collaborator Michael Kamen on piano, and the surprising appearances by Rick Wright and Bob Geldof. The best part of this DVD,(a very nice if a little weird choice,)was the French song Je Crois Entendre Encore, with its melancholic tune,soulful chorus, and Gilmour's best singing in this concert,it touched me deeply! Yet I was slightly disappointed with the heavy reliance on acoustic guitars.Yes to be fair,the concert was intended to be unplugged and it is refreshing to hear new versions of old classics, but with songs like Shine on Your Crazy Diamond, it would have worked much better if Gilmour used both guitars,like he did with Comfortably Numb(he could not replace some of his best solos for Floyd with acoustics). In some Floyd songs,the electric guitar is an integral part of the song and mixing the electric with the acoustic for some songs would not have compromised the purpose and spirit of this concert. Shine's acoustic intro was great yes,but it needed that extra electric touch to make the new version perfect. It leaves me to say how much Roger Waters departure from Floyd is missed.In all the Gilmour led concerts post Final Cut, the songs that Waters composed/cowrote are still what the fans really want to hear. You can tell by the huge cheers and applauses whenever Wish You Were Here or Comfortably Numb is played..The atmosphere and mood changes dramatically from enjoyment to a roar! Having said all that, this DVD is great nonetheless,(strangely though it has not been released on CD! which would have made an invaluable addition to Floyd/Gilmour collection),giving us fans the opportunity to see one of the greatest musicians in rock history still doing what he knows best.
Rating: Summary: a discouraging word Review: Well, I was disappointed. On paper, it sounded like a great idea; acoustic/alternate versions of Floyd tunes in an intimate solo/small-band setting. A chance to hear the tunes and DG's legendary guitar work stripped of ornament, so we could "examine the bones" as it were. Unfortunately, imo, neither holds up well under such a treatment. Many of the tunes, laid bare like this, sound ambling and unfocused. But the real downer for me was the guitar work. Without the gobs of processing and volume he normally uses, DG sounds like just another mediocre guitar player. I think his playing owes a lot more to tone and texture than many (or at least I) realized.I wasn't expecting lasers and flying pigs, but if anything this concert documents how much mileage Floyd, or at least DG, got from them. Not a bad video by any means, but not a great one either.
Rating: Summary: Marvellous! Review: David Gilmour Live In Cocert, taken from two performances in London's Meltdown & Royal Festival Hall is a masterpiece of its own kind. Davide comes to stage with unshaven face and a T-shirt on. So humble and simple. He takes his guitar and kicks-off with an acoustic rendition of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. Wow! This is the greatest performance of the song to this date. Although his voice is not in fine shape but the power of his guitar makes it up. He follows with an old song by Syd Barret. He is the only Pink Floys member still meeting Syd sometimes and his dedication is invaluable. He revisitis Pink Floyd's past with 'Coming Back To Life'. Still his voice is not what it used to be. The best track is 'Je Crois Entendre Encore' which I haven't heard before and I assume it's an old French song. It made me cry and I really love the arrangement and the melancholy feeling of the song. He follows with a beautiful melodic new song called 'Smile. The presence of Michael Kamen on Piano and English Horn and the girl who plays Cello is truly magnificent on 'High Hopes'. The rendition of 'Wish You Were Here', 'Shine On You crazy Diamond (Part 2)' and ' A Great Day For Freedom' are all thrilling and moving. The Presence of Robert Wiatt and Bob Geldof on 'Comfortably Numb' are great but Roger is truly missed here. Overall, the performance as I wrote is a masterpiece and David delivers his best here. I just wonder why he hasn't played any song from his own back catalogue (1977's David Gilmour and 1982's About Face). The extra tracks are also great and you maybe surprised to see David singing his rendtion of Elvis Presley's 'Don't'. Thank you David for this great effort. I wish someday you can make things up with Roger Waters and we see you together again. I thank you.
Rating: Summary: Pure Genius! Review: If you don't buy this DVD you lack all ability to truly define a beautiful honest performance. Amust view with 5.1 or better. And if you own better than 5.1 invite me over, Enjoy
Rating: Summary: pink floyd lives on Review: hi there all, thought it was time i sat down and wrote another review. I got this dvd as a christmas present from my mum and plonked it on the dvd player and watched it over and over. "Shine on" played on an accoustic? could it be pulled off? well folks the answer is yes, David pulls it off brilliantly and to add to the brilliance of it, it is ended with the electric version later in the concert. some songs are a little wishy washy for my tastes, but hey take the good with the bad. Now any of you who have read any of my reviews, will know comfortably numb is my all time favorite pink floyd song. i have to admit, i dont watch Robert Wyatt singing Rogers lyrics. no no no no no, out of time, no enthusiasm and just ruined it for me :( however bob geldoff redemms the song at the end of the dvd to an extent, but sorry guys, no one and i mean no one can replace roger on this song. Was a tad disapointing to see gilmour standing there, unshaven, in a tee shirt and really not looking his gretest, the extra footage at the end of the concert looks good with him dressed smartly and at times i wish the whole concert looked like that. but hey i am rambling on about fashion, when i should be rambling about the music. I know pink floyd will never tour again, i am just waiting for roger waters new album and ptoential tour. This is the closest i will get to the rock gods, so i shouldnt moan, i should sit back and enjoy as should you all with this dvd and other pink floyd concerts. Shine on everyone Scotty
Rating: Summary: Worth it for one song alone. Review: ....and that song is Comfortably Numb with Bob Geldof singing. Stunning. It is good to see Gilmour off the gravy train and doing music under his own name. It's a lot more honest than the stuff he was doing in the 80s and early 90s.
Rating: Summary: Gilmour or Waters? Review: This is a great live music DVD. If you're looking for The Wall you're in the wrong place. This DVD captures the intimate side of this ex-Pink Floyd member. Gilmour effectively demonstrates his enormous contribution to his former bandmates with his smooth, apparently effortless manipulation of guitar strings. It's amazing to hear that familiar voice coming from David's gray-stubbled face, sounding as if it were still 1973. Do you want the other side of Pink Floyd? Looking for the huge arena rock concert show? This may be a disappointment for you. Buy Roger Waters-In The Flesh instead. If you're looking for a quality recording with some great songs that aren't overdone then buy this one. Roger is missed here though, especially during the two performances of Comfortably Numb. In the same respect, David's voice and guitar is missed on In The Flesh. So which is it, Gilmour or Waters? If you're a true Floyd fan, buy both.
Rating: Summary: Sonically, simply buy it. Review: Previously an audiofile, I have recently upgraded my entire system from the pre kids time. I expect to find some DVD's that engage this $10K+ system. This DVD does it. Audio can be set up in 2 channel stereo or 5.1 DTS. As the front speakers of your system are probably your best, listen to both set ups and simply ENJOY. Sonically, this is the best DVD I have found.
Rating: Summary: LIKE A FINE WINE Review: David Gilmour just keeps getting better with age. He does pull out a lot of items from his Pink Floyed days, but then that is what the fans want. Very good crisp audio. A damn good addition to any Floyed collection.
Rating: Summary: David Gilmour plays BLUES!!! Review: I have seen this DVD several times and found it wonderful. It is a collection of what Gilmour did for the Pink Floyd. Acoustic version of Shine on you crazy diamond , High hopes with cello background , Comfortably numb with Piano and acoustic guitar and a little elctric guitar solos in the middle and at the end , Wish you were like it was before , Coming back to life with emphasizing the choral , Fat old sun absolutely like the original one , two songs from Syd Barret , one song with guest musician Richard Wright ( "Breakthrough" which is one of Ric's solo works ) and a special version of Comfortably Numb sang by Bob Geldof ( Mr. Pink ) !!! This concert would be a little strange at the beginning for Pink Floyd fans . It doesn't have lasers, electric guitars that much , bass guitar and many other things . The tracks are soft and flat . It is a blues performance of Pink Floyd's songs and all . Some tracks are very similar to the studio version and some or so different . I recommend this DVD to anyone who likes David Gilmour and his style in guitar playing and also to any Pink Floyd fan who likes to hear another aspect of Pink Floyd's songs . This DVD is not too long ( about 1.5 hour ) and is worth to watch any time . I think David Gilmour in concert and Roger Water's In the Flesh are the best DVD collection to buy by Pink Floyd fans nowadays . Buy this DVD . You'll enjoy it . It shows Gilmour in his best shape ( Fat old son !!! ) , but he is so happy and plays and sings really well . His voice is still young and soft . He sang even better than the Pulse concert . This is a most have DVD for anyone who likes seventies music and before . The only bad point about this DVD is that it is not that Dolby Digital . The music comes from the front and the crowd from the rear . That's all !
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