Paul
2008-05-06 18:42:05 UTC
I flew into Houston, Texas, just for this May 4th, Dark Side
of
the Moon concert.
Roger absolutely rocked out. It was scary how enthralled
and mesmerized we all were by this man's genius. All 16,550
tickets sold out at the Woodlands Pavilion. Both Roger and David
Gilmour know the power of the "Dark Side", both in terms of
getting people to go to the shows, and for introducing new/solo
material to the audience.
The large main projection screen (no Pink Floyd circle) in
the back started off with a bottle of whiskey next to a radio, as
the crowd slowly filled in the seats. Then a hand appears, pours
itself a drink, and dials the knob through the stations, sampling
Jazz and Country, and skipping the Disco. Obviously this was
Mr. Waters playing disk jockey, while tipping his hat to his "Radio
Kaos"
album, and setting up for "Wish You Were Here", which would
come later in the concert. Very creative start.
And then the set list:
1. In The Flesh?
The no-brainer choice for the beginning of a
Roger Waters concert. People were still scambling for thier
seats! Near pandemonium as the crowd is whipped into a
frenzy!
2. Mother
Great version, with Roger's very unique
vocals. Aptly with one of the female backup singers as Pink's
mother (replacing David Gilmour parts on The Wall album).
Dave Kilminster was damn good at mimicking David Gilmour
note-for-note, but obviously there's only one of the later.
3. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
A great, modern version of this old
Floydian classic, with a kinda jazzy sax solo. With
an old video from the Sid Barrett days. Funtastic!
4. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part One)
I've never cried at a concert before
in my life....there was never a good reason. But
seeing pictures of a young, vibrant Sid Barrett on the
back screen, just must have broken me down. This
song is just soo fucking sad, when you know the history
of the band. Waters and the Floyd were a potent alchemy
for distilling pure emotion, and somehow bottling up that
emotion into a song. I wish they hadn't skipped Wright's
first synthesizer solo at the beginning, but nevertheless:
Somberly beautiful.
And for me, Roger actually sings this
song with more conviction and emotion than Gilmour
could ever do. There is something about Water's voice;
the way he struggles to stay in tune, and the pleading,
desperate tone of it, which worked so well on The Wall,
also hits home with this tune.
5. Have A Cigar
Roger could never sing this
in such slick technical fashion that Roy Harper
did on the album, but when Water's belts it out
loud, his voice can hit surprising high notes,
IN TUNE. And again, his tragic voice suits
the song.
6. Wish You Were Here
I missed Gilmour on the vocals
and guitars here, but still very nice, albiet over-played.
7. Southampton Dock
People started getting up
to go the bathroom, or get more beer during
this one. But still great to hear live.
8. The Fletcher Memorial Home
Another great Final Cut
tune. With asylum scenes on the screen.
9. Perfect Sense (Part I)
10. Perfect Sense (Part Ii)
This is the best tune
from the Amused to Death album. Sadly,
this could have been another one of the great
Pink Floyd anthems if Roger was still in the
band.
11. Leaving Beirut
This was a brand new song, with
comic strips on the screen, and a bathroom break
for me. Hell no am i taking a piss during Dark Side of
the Moon! The lyrics to the song were in the bubbles
of the comics, with some mention of the Christian Right
fucking everything up. This elicited a strong reaction
from some in the crowd, with the girl behind me
saying Fuck You to Waters.
12. Sheep
This is when the famed Floyd pig
from Animals was let loose. Actually, it was tethered
to a fellow just walking it around, it's actually not super
huge. But i suppose they didn't want to chance the
thing blowing away again, like it has TWICE.
The pig had "IMPEACH BUSH" on
its ass! Very funny for me (someone who agrees),
but offended all the Southern Texas Conservatives
in the audience (Roger had to know which state he
was in!). This led to some boos at the end (mostly
drowned out by the applause).
Most of the crowd was too enthralled
with taking a pic of the pig with their camera-phones
to think about politics!
Intermission:
13. Speak To Me / Breathe
Pretty good vocals by Jon Carin,
but really highlights the fact that few people can
play echo slide guitar like Gilmour.
14. On The Run
Modern day version, with new
Speeding bullet train, and race car sections,
Fantastic video work by Waters and company.
15. Time
Roto-tom section was sorely
lacking the simple genius of Nick Mason.
Don't get me wrong; Graham Broad was
powerful on the drums, especially if the
song really rocks. But "TIME" requires
a delicate finesse, and an economy of notes,
to really hit home. Nick Mason is a sorely
under-rated drummer.
16. The Great Gig In The Sky
Obviously, nothing tops
Clare Torry's studio version. But I've read
that she did 3 hours worth of recording, and
that they pieced it together. And then
some said it was done in one take.
Nevertheless, it's unfair
to compare studio to live really. But
even among the live versions, either the Pulse
or Delicate Thunder version could still be the
best one.
I believe this was Katie Kissoon,
and although he style was bit weird for my
tastes, my jaw was still on the ground the whole
time. A lot of a familiar song's appeal comes from the
other versions that are floating around in your
head.
17. Money
Overplayed for me, but still good
guitar work. Great use off the azimuth coordinator for
sound effects, which apparently Roger still uses.
18. Us And Them
19. Any Colour You Like
Some of the guitars were mixed a bit
too bright for me, and i had a feeling like the PA guy
was losing some perception in the high end.
20. Brain Damage
At this point, Roger unveils an
amazing piece of art: a 3-D Dark Side of the Moon
Pyramidal laser sculpture (about 8-10' tall), arranged
like the album cover, with the full laser rainbow
slicing through the audience and smoke. Fantastic
effect! Very Trippy Indeed (And i was Cold Dead Sober,
hehe)! This alone made the trip worth it.
21. Eclipse
ENCORE:
22. The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
23. Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 2
24. Vera
Wow, what a pleasant surpise
to hear this song live. I'm certain that Roger picks
out the order of the songs better than the other guys.
This has got to be the benefit of seeing the
entire project as a single continuous unit.
25. Bring The Boys Back Home
Roger can still hit the
high notes if he's belting it out! Pics of
soldiers in Iraq, of course.
26. Comfortably Numb
Obligatory. But well
done.
This fellas 64 years old, and he still
rocks out! And it's funny that he's very aware
of the wide appeal of his music, and how he
can still be honest about his political convictions.
How many artists can, or will, do this? Some
people think musicians should keep out of politics,
but i disagree in Roger's case.
This trip cost me nearly a grand (although
i explored the very cosmopolitan Houston as well),
but it was well worth it. It's funny how I used to be
more of a performer, but now i'm more of a consumer
again. Somehow, we need this thing called art and
music.....badly. Our souls have an appetite too.
of
the Moon concert.
Roger absolutely rocked out. It was scary how enthralled
and mesmerized we all were by this man's genius. All 16,550
tickets sold out at the Woodlands Pavilion. Both Roger and David
Gilmour know the power of the "Dark Side", both in terms of
getting people to go to the shows, and for introducing new/solo
material to the audience.
The large main projection screen (no Pink Floyd circle) in
the back started off with a bottle of whiskey next to a radio, as
the crowd slowly filled in the seats. Then a hand appears, pours
itself a drink, and dials the knob through the stations, sampling
Jazz and Country, and skipping the Disco. Obviously this was
Mr. Waters playing disk jockey, while tipping his hat to his "Radio
Kaos"
album, and setting up for "Wish You Were Here", which would
come later in the concert. Very creative start.
And then the set list:
1. In The Flesh?
The no-brainer choice for the beginning of a
Roger Waters concert. People were still scambling for thier
seats! Near pandemonium as the crowd is whipped into a
frenzy!
2. Mother
Great version, with Roger's very unique
vocals. Aptly with one of the female backup singers as Pink's
mother (replacing David Gilmour parts on The Wall album).
Dave Kilminster was damn good at mimicking David Gilmour
note-for-note, but obviously there's only one of the later.
3. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
A great, modern version of this old
Floydian classic, with a kinda jazzy sax solo. With
an old video from the Sid Barrett days. Funtastic!
4. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part One)
I've never cried at a concert before
in my life....there was never a good reason. But
seeing pictures of a young, vibrant Sid Barrett on the
back screen, just must have broken me down. This
song is just soo fucking sad, when you know the history
of the band. Waters and the Floyd were a potent alchemy
for distilling pure emotion, and somehow bottling up that
emotion into a song. I wish they hadn't skipped Wright's
first synthesizer solo at the beginning, but nevertheless:
Somberly beautiful.
And for me, Roger actually sings this
song with more conviction and emotion than Gilmour
could ever do. There is something about Water's voice;
the way he struggles to stay in tune, and the pleading,
desperate tone of it, which worked so well on The Wall,
also hits home with this tune.
5. Have A Cigar
Roger could never sing this
in such slick technical fashion that Roy Harper
did on the album, but when Water's belts it out
loud, his voice can hit surprising high notes,
IN TUNE. And again, his tragic voice suits
the song.
6. Wish You Were Here
I missed Gilmour on the vocals
and guitars here, but still very nice, albiet over-played.
7. Southampton Dock
People started getting up
to go the bathroom, or get more beer during
this one. But still great to hear live.
8. The Fletcher Memorial Home
Another great Final Cut
tune. With asylum scenes on the screen.
9. Perfect Sense (Part I)
10. Perfect Sense (Part Ii)
This is the best tune
from the Amused to Death album. Sadly,
this could have been another one of the great
Pink Floyd anthems if Roger was still in the
band.
11. Leaving Beirut
This was a brand new song, with
comic strips on the screen, and a bathroom break
for me. Hell no am i taking a piss during Dark Side of
the Moon! The lyrics to the song were in the bubbles
of the comics, with some mention of the Christian Right
fucking everything up. This elicited a strong reaction
from some in the crowd, with the girl behind me
saying Fuck You to Waters.
12. Sheep
This is when the famed Floyd pig
from Animals was let loose. Actually, it was tethered
to a fellow just walking it around, it's actually not super
huge. But i suppose they didn't want to chance the
thing blowing away again, like it has TWICE.
The pig had "IMPEACH BUSH" on
its ass! Very funny for me (someone who agrees),
but offended all the Southern Texas Conservatives
in the audience (Roger had to know which state he
was in!). This led to some boos at the end (mostly
drowned out by the applause).
Most of the crowd was too enthralled
with taking a pic of the pig with their camera-phones
to think about politics!
Intermission:
13. Speak To Me / Breathe
Pretty good vocals by Jon Carin,
but really highlights the fact that few people can
play echo slide guitar like Gilmour.
14. On The Run
Modern day version, with new
Speeding bullet train, and race car sections,
Fantastic video work by Waters and company.
15. Time
Roto-tom section was sorely
lacking the simple genius of Nick Mason.
Don't get me wrong; Graham Broad was
powerful on the drums, especially if the
song really rocks. But "TIME" requires
a delicate finesse, and an economy of notes,
to really hit home. Nick Mason is a sorely
under-rated drummer.
16. The Great Gig In The Sky
Obviously, nothing tops
Clare Torry's studio version. But I've read
that she did 3 hours worth of recording, and
that they pieced it together. And then
some said it was done in one take.
Nevertheless, it's unfair
to compare studio to live really. But
even among the live versions, either the Pulse
or Delicate Thunder version could still be the
best one.
I believe this was Katie Kissoon,
and although he style was bit weird for my
tastes, my jaw was still on the ground the whole
time. A lot of a familiar song's appeal comes from the
other versions that are floating around in your
head.
17. Money
Overplayed for me, but still good
guitar work. Great use off the azimuth coordinator for
sound effects, which apparently Roger still uses.
18. Us And Them
19. Any Colour You Like
Some of the guitars were mixed a bit
too bright for me, and i had a feeling like the PA guy
was losing some perception in the high end.
20. Brain Damage
At this point, Roger unveils an
amazing piece of art: a 3-D Dark Side of the Moon
Pyramidal laser sculpture (about 8-10' tall), arranged
like the album cover, with the full laser rainbow
slicing through the audience and smoke. Fantastic
effect! Very Trippy Indeed (And i was Cold Dead Sober,
hehe)! This alone made the trip worth it.
21. Eclipse
ENCORE:
22. The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
23. Another Brick In The Wall, Pt. 2
24. Vera
Wow, what a pleasant surpise
to hear this song live. I'm certain that Roger picks
out the order of the songs better than the other guys.
This has got to be the benefit of seeing the
entire project as a single continuous unit.
25. Bring The Boys Back Home
Roger can still hit the
high notes if he's belting it out! Pics of
soldiers in Iraq, of course.
26. Comfortably Numb
Obligatory. But well
done.
This fellas 64 years old, and he still
rocks out! And it's funny that he's very aware
of the wide appeal of his music, and how he
can still be honest about his political convictions.
How many artists can, or will, do this? Some
people think musicians should keep out of politics,
but i disagree in Roger's case.
This trip cost me nearly a grand (although
i explored the very cosmopolitan Houston as well),
but it was well worth it. It's funny how I used to be
more of a performer, but now i'm more of a consumer
again. Somehow, we need this thing called art and
music.....badly. Our souls have an appetite too.