David Gilmore -v- Roger Waters // DVD review

[3-LockBox]

I recently borrowed two DVDs from my oh-so-generous neighbor, David Gilmour in Concert and In The Flesh- Roger Waters Live. There has always been a sort of argument as to which of these two guys do Pink Floyd the best. There are still those who think that Pink Floyd cannot exist without Roger Waters (there are those who think Pink Floyd couldn't exist w/o Sid Barret). But its clear that there is some antimosity between these two one-time collaberators, and maybe a rivalry too. These two discs are as different from one another as night and day, so maybe its not fair to do a comparison, but these two DVDs do emphasize their Pink past, so...

Both discs rely heavily on the past, with the nod going to Waters in that he uses his solo projects to great effect. He nestles songs from Pros And Cons Of Hitch-hiking and Amused To Death in between nearly the whole of DSOTM. His performance as singer is still competant, but he does rely on the other performers for the 'Gilmore' vocals. Waters gives us a good dose of The Wall as well as Animals and Wish You Were Here. He also gets brownie points for including 'Set The Controls For The Heart of The Sun' and 'Dogs' albeit in somewhat condenesed form. The band is tight, the ambience is truely theatrical and powerful. Odd though, is the omission of the Radio KAOS album, which was a bit disappointing. But all in all, this would have been fantastic to see live, or at least on a really big screen.


David Glimour is not out-done however. He gives us stripped down versions of better known 'Floyd' songs, with both accoustic and sparce electrical accompaniment. These are more sedate perfomances, but no less affecting. His versions of 'Comfortably Numb' and 'Wish you Were Here' are superior to Waters'. And the inclusion of a nine person choral instead of keyboard flourishes works astoundingly well throughout the concert. Sure, no 'Floyd' concert would be complete without a Motown-ish, three part female back-up, but the choral flourish is just right for this not-quite unplugged setting (think Story Tellers). Notable here though, is the absense of Momentary Lapse Of Reason. The nine person choir would have sounded great on songs like 'Learning To Fly' or 'The Turning Away', but no such luck. Gilmour instead seems to focus on The Division Bell (which was more like a Gilmour solo than a 'floyd' album anyway) as well some obescure covers. He also deserves a brownie for his inclusion of 'Fat Old Sun', a timeless but lesser known 'Floyd' tune.

Both approaches are different, both performances are passionate and competant. Gilmour's set exemplifies the splendor and majesty of Floyd, while Waters captures the theatrical bombast and spectical. Both discs are essential as all of these ingredients are an important part of the essence of Pink Floyd. But since this is a DVD review, In The Flesh is the winner (slightly), by virtue of its visual offering, which is a times, stunning.

Unless you have a very generous neighbor, you might want to pick both of these excellent DVDs.

[Dave_G]

I have viewed the David Gilmore dvd and it is fluff. Very fluff.

The Roger Waters "In the Flesh" dvd is what it is all about. It runs circles around the Gilmore dvd.

Of course, this is my opinion!

Dave

[DarrenH]

I have viewed the David Gilmore dvd and it is fluff. Very fluff.

The Roger Waters "In the Flesh" dvd is what it is all about. It runs circles around the Gilmore dvd.

Of course, this is my opinion!

Dave

I've had my eyes on that "In The Flesh" DVD.

But I do like David Gilmour as well. His solo work was more appealing to me than Waters. I just couldn't get into Waters solo stuff. I do have "Amused To Death" and I really just don't like it. I haven't spun it in awhile so maybe now is a good time.

Darren

NP Rush - Caress Of Steel

[3-LockBox]

I have viewed the David Gilmore dvd and it is fluff. Very fluff.

It is definately a sedate performance, but I did enjoy it. I wouldn't whip it out to impress anyone though.

But yes, visually and sonically, the Waters DVD has more wow factor and would best for an HT demo.

Gilmore's approach has its place, but the Sonnet 18 song he does as one of the extra features is cringe inducing to say the least and I could have done without Wrights inclusion.

[nusiclover]

if Waters is Pink, Gilmore must be Floyd. But lets not forget of the other two.
I have seen Pink Floyd in Concert (twice) without Waters and I own In The Flesh. Id have to say that Waters' voice catches the dark elements of what Pink Floyd was in the 70's. However, In The Flesh had very lame parts when other people tried to mimic Gilmore's prestine voice. The two are a perfect match: like heaven and hell, ying and yang, Gilmore and Waters.

[Dave_G]

Gilmore = fluff.

Waters = the real thing.

End of story, end of discussion.

Dave

[Finch Platte]

I wouldn't whip it out to impress anyone though.

And that, my friend, is where we differ.

fp

[3-LockBox]

I was hoping someone would jump on that.

I figured it would be you.

thanx

ROTFLMAO,

3LB

[topspeed]

FYI, The Wall is coming to Broadway with Waters at the helm. From what I understand, Water's is writing the thing right now. Back in college, I did genre paper comparing two musicals: The Wall vs (drum roll please) Singing in the Rain! Research for that paper was, uhh, enlightening to say the least.

[brinne19]

After having seen both dvd's I think both fail in comparison to the Live in Pompeii dvd, I feel this is one of the most accurate examples of pre DSOM Pink Floyd.