For many years Pink Floyd, Roger Waters fans and REG members have been asking me when the Pink Floyd Live in Pompeii movie will be released on DVD. REG sources have confirmed that a directors cut of the movie "Pink Floyd Live in Pompeii" is due to be released on DVD in late March or early April of 2003. This new digital version will be released on Universal, however the exact release date is not yet known.

Directed by Adrian Maben, Pink Floyd Live in Pompeii was originally released as a full length major motion picture. It is mainly composed of Pink Floyd playing live in an empty Roman amphitheater in Pompeii Italy on October 4 -7 1971. In addition to the concert footage and a myriad of psychedelic effects, the film contains interview segments of band members, plus footage of Pink Floyd working on the making of Dark Side of the Moon in the studio in 1972.

This new Directors Cut version will be an adaptation of the original movie, with additional footage as conceived by the director Adrian Maben, and the rest of the artwork concept by�long term Pink Floyd designer, Storm Thorgerson. Included also is an additional interview with the director.

I was told however that the sound for the DVD was made in the original stereo and not Dolby 5.1 as the original master tapes were not available.

The concert footage is fantastic. You can experience the REAL Pink Floyd at the peak of their genius and creativity, Pink Floyd the way you were meant to see them without theatric's, props, gizmo's or fancy lighting, just the raw musical force of a band that changed music history.

David Gilmour guitar virtuoso extraordinare, together again with Roger Waters who is pounding a gong as well as his bass, and uttering his high pitched vocal utterances he was once famous for. Rick Wright shows his stuff with fantastic keyboard and synthesizer layering. And anyone who thought Nick Mason was a wimp of a drummer need only watch him live at his peak. Damn this guy can drum. If you've never seen this video, or have never seen old Pink Floyd live, your in for a treat.

The film premiered at the Edinbugh Festival, in Scotland September 1972, and in New York on August 21, 1974. The first VHS video version of the film was released in England in 1981 and in the US in 1984. A laser disc version was also released in 1989. And now, just in time for the 21st Century, we will finally have a digital version of the great movie and a Directors Cut at that!

Now all we need is for Roger Waters' The Wall Live In Berlin to be released on DVD! You can't imagine how many fans have asked me when this will be out. The only word I've got is since all proceeds go to charity there is no incentive for the record company who owns the rights (Polygram I think), to put money into a release they won't make huge profits from. But only time will tell.

Dark Side of the Moon Super Audio CD to be released!

Roger and Ringo?
True or False?

NewsFlash March 2003

THE WALL LIVE IN BERLIN DVD

Roger Waters The Wall Live in Berlin DVD to be released. REG sources have confirmed that "The Wall Live In Berlin 1990" on DVD is finally to be released on DVD. Like the Live in Pompeii DVD, The Wall Live in Berlin will be released by Universal. Unlike the original video release, among other special features, this version will contain a thirty minute documentary, as well as a commentary by Roger Waters and Gerald Scarfe.

In 1990, Roger Waters assembled a huge army of bands, musicians, and even military personnel, to help perform one of the most legendary concerts of all time. Held on Potsdamer Platz, which was once the "No-Man's Land" between the Berlin Wall of East and West Germany, we danced and cheered atop Hitler's bunker. Roger's performance of The Wall on 21st June 1990 was unbelievably spectacular, and an unforgetable experience if you were lucky enough to have been there (see my concert review elsewhere in this website). The immensity and sheer scale of the enterprise was astounding: 180,000-odd tickets sold, but double that attended after the gates were opened to let in all the East Germans with no tickets and little money.

Though no video can come close to capturing even a fraction of such an all encompassing event, it gives those who were not there mere glimpses of the enthralling excitement and atmosphere of this massive spectacle and stage show. But these glimpses are enough to completely captivate the viewer. If you've not seen this show you're in for a treat. If you were there, you can reminisce and relive this wonderful extravaganza of sight and sound.

Here are some of the features that will be included in this long awaited and anticipated DVD:

• 5.1 surround sound (supervised by Roger Waters)
  
• 30 minute documentary about the lead up and days events
  
• Animated feature by Gerald Scarfe
  
• Design feature by Mark Fisher
  
• Unseen footage showing Rupert Everett as Pink
  
• Gerald Scarfe and Roger Waters commentary option
  

The release has been scheduled for the 28th April 2003 in the UK, and perhaps a week earlier in the US or elsewhere. However as you will see below in other news, DVD and SACD release dates can be quite fluid, so don't count on it. In fact, I've just been informed that the release date may be moved to June 17th. So, there, you see?

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
TO BE RELEASED LATE MARCH

Following a month of indecision, the U.S. release date for the SACD release of Dark of Side of the Moon has been finalized as the 25th March. It will be released in Europe the following Monday.

The 30th Anniversary release of 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' will be presented with a newly art worked prism, created by original sleeve artist and renowned designer, Storm Thorgerson. (Apparently a vinyl album will also be released to commemorate the 30th anniversary. It is to have the original prism on black background cover and include the two posters and sticker postcard like the original release.)

Below is the EMI press release regarding the Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition.

From EMI-

'The Dark Side Of The Moon' 30th Anniversary edition reissued on Hybrid SACD in 5.1 surround sound

On 24th March 2003, EMI Records are pleased to announce the release of Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' on Super Audio CD (SACD) format, to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the title. This marks the first time Pink Floyd's seminal recording will be presented in full 5.1 surround sound.

'The Dark Side Of The Moon' has had a phenomenal impact since it was first released on 24th March, 1973. Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest British rock albums of all time, 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' remains a truly extraordinary recording, notching up sales in excess of a staggering 30 million worldwide to date.

To create the first 5.1 surround sound mix of 'The Dark Side Of The Moon', long time Pink Floyd producer/engineer James Guthrie utilized the 16-track tapes from the original recording sessions, remastering the tracks on custom-built electronics before final transferring to SACD format. The results are hugely impressive, retaining the spellbinding atmosphere of the original analog recordings whilst faithfully capturing the full dynamic evocative range of Pink Floyd's intricately layered music.

The listener will have two disc layers to choose from. The first layer contains the album playable on any CD system. The second includes a high resolution stereo version, plus a 5.1 surround sound mix that plays on SACD-compatible DVD players and home theatre systems. Both layers employ SACD's Direct Stream Digital (DSD) encoding process that samples the music 64 times faster than CD for unprecedented sound quality.

DSOTM SACD Delayed until?

Pompeii DVD delayed
Expected by May

It's the end of March and we're still waiting for the Live at Pompeii DVD. I've learned that because of technical difficulties the DVD has been rescheduled for a release date at the end of April 2003, and may be delayed again until May. Now I've learned that the release date for the Pink Floyd Live At Pompeii (The Directors Cut) DVD has been scheduled for October 20th 2003.

Storm Thorgerson's updated book, Mind Over Matter contains the cover and inset art work from the new Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii DVD.

PINK FLOYD LIVE AT POMPEII DVD (The Directors Cut)

The DVD Cover

Pompeii DVD menu 1	Pompeii DVD menu 2

Pompeii DVD menu 3	Pompeii DVD menu 4

Pompeii DVD menu 5

Roger and Nick at the R&R Hall of Fame?

Several Internet sources had reported that upon the US release of the new 30th anniversary edition of Dark Side Of The Moon SACD (now set April 1st), Roger Waters and Nick Mason would be appearing at the Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. This was expected to be only an appearance, statement or interview. The news appeared on Echoes, and then spread to many Floyd and Waters websites. These reports could not be confirmed by REG sources, and it is now believed that these reports may have been spread as part of a hoax or April Fools jokes. ;o)

NewsFlash April 2003

NEW ROGER WATERS ALBUM TO BE RELEASED SPRING 2004
WITH A TOUR TO FOLLOW

Many REG members and Waters fans have been continually emailing me in regard to when Roger's new album will be coming out. So I have been able to attain the latest news about the new album. Unimpeachable REG sources have given our club the following information:

"Roger's new album is coming on very well and will most likely be released in the Spring/Summer of 2004. There is no title as yet. Roger is considering touring options which include the USA and Europe."

So there you have it! Don't e-mail me anymore! :o)

Because Spring and Summer are the ideal seasons in which to tour, if there is to be a tour following the release of the new album, we can likely expect the new album to be released on schedule. I know I speak for all REG members when I say, I can't wait to hear the new album and for the opportunity to see Roger in concert again!

(Please credit REG for any reprint of this information.)

Pink Floyd Fan Convention in Germany July 12th & 13th 2003 to feature RPWL!

Uwe Goeller and Keep Talking Magazine present 'Dark Side of the Moon Weekend'. The first International Pink Floyd Fan Meeting. This floydian festival will be held in Aschaffenburg Germany - Colos Saal on Saturday and Sunday July 12th and 13trh.

Saturday's festivities will begin at 11AM with a Collectors and trade market util 4 PM. At 7PM begins a concert featuring Sula Bassana, Vibravoid, and 35007. Sunday's concert begins at 7:45 PM featuring RPWL, Mandra Gora Lightshow Society, and The Final Cut - The Spirit of Pink Floyd.

Though RPWL will be performing only an accoustic set, I would travel over 500 miles to see this band, they are that fantastic. If you get any chance to see RPWL live, DO IT !!

Tickets for goth days of the festival, including the collectors market are 19 Euro's in advance, and 21 Euro's at the box office. For ticket reservation, call 0049-6021-456706 or 0049-6021-27239, or email info@moonhead-music.de or see the website at: http://www.colos-saal.de.

Link to the RPWL site: http://www.rpwl.de

Link to FanFest-info on the TFC-site: http://www.thefinalcut.de/english/GigGuide/DSOTM-Aschaffenburg/hauptteil_dsotm-aschaffenburg.html

Link to TFC-site: http://www.thefinalcut.de/english/GigGuide/DSOTM-Aschaffenburg/dsotm-aschaffenburg.html

Fan Club and Fanzine Convention in Germany Italy May 10 and 11, 2003

Fanzine.net and Ululati dall'Underground present Ululati 2003, the 29th anual fanclub and fanzine convention to be held in Florence Italy on May 10th and 11th, 2003.

For more information see the fanzine.net website at http://www.fanzine.net

NewsFlash May 2003

Roger Waters
The Wall Live in Berlin DVD and SACD
released in Europe and Japan!

In the recording industry's "Region 2" (Europe, The Middle Easth and Japan), April 28th saw the long awaited DVD release of Roger Waters' The Wall Live in Berlin concert extravaganza. The US release had been scheduled to follow one week later, however for some unknown reason has been postponed until June 24th.

The Region 2, international release of Roger's Wall Live In Berlin SACD (Super Audio CD) was May 12th for Europe and Japan, and May 19th in the UK. This two disc SACD set (Catalog Number: 0385962) was a hybrid release - in other words, like Dark Side Of The Moon SACD, it contains two layers of music - the SACD layer, and a standard layer which can be "read" by all CD players.

The "Region 1," North American version of this SACD is not scheduled to be released until June 24th, when the DVD of the same name will be released as well. However the US SACD version, will not be a hybird SACD, so will not play on any but special SACD players. Instead Universal will simultaneously re-release a standard CD version.

However, where the only difference between the original double CD and the new one is the cover, Universal destroys any reason for fans to re-purchase the album. This insane logic will only result in far fewer album sales! At least our members in Europe, the Middle East, Japan, and Australia will be able to enjoy the fantastic sounds of their new remixed SACD hybrid version.

NewsFlash June 2003

New Album Release And Subsequent Tour May Be Delayed

REG sources have more recently amended their comments, and confirmed that the recording of 20 tracks for the new album has been completed and sent to producer Pat Leonard in New York for production. However, they also confirmed that currently Roger has postponed further work on the new album in order to work a bit on the reworking of his opera 'Ca Ira.'

Because of this, some web sites have predicted that there will be no album or tour until 2005! REG sources nevertheless have labeled these predictions as "...Premature."

However, because Summer is the ideal time in which to tour, IF Roger's new album is not ready for release by Spring 2004, as previously announced, it may well not be released until Spring 2005. REG sources stated that: "...the timing of any tour is predicated on when the new album is completed and released."

We can only hope that the new album, and tour to follow, will happen next year. The pessimist may look at Roger's track record of the lack of movement in his career that preceded the flurry of activity of recent years. They might also point to the fact that Roger's last album was released an unprecedented ELEVEN YEARS ago!!! But I choose to believe that Roger is on a roll and that the success of the 'In the Flesh' tour has spurred him into action with a desire and frenzy to create. And although you can't rush genius or its creation, Roger might just surprise us, and have BOTH the new Album and Ca Ira done by next Spring!

(Please credit REG for any reprint of this information.)

Roger Waters
The Wall Live in Berlin DVD and SACD
Finally released in the US!

The DVD

The show took place on July 21, 1990, before a crowd of 350,000 fans, and was broadcast to a TV audience of 300 million people. Previously, only available as a VHS tape video, The Wall Live in Berlin commemorates the end of the "Cold War" and the toppling of the Berlin Wall which divided East and West Berlin for almost 30 years! The concert was also a charity event in conduction with the Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief, on behalf of the victims of War!

The show was much more than a rock concert, but an unprecedented multimedia event. Now it can be enjoyed for the first time in a remastered Dolby digital format in 5.1 SurroundSound.

As I previously stated, though no video can come close to capturing even a fraction of such an all encompassing event, it gives those who if you were not lucky enough to be there, glimpses of the enthralling excitement and the atmosphere of this massive spectacle and stage show. These glimpses, are enough however, to completely captivate the viewer. If you've not seen this show you're in for a treat. If you were there, you can reminisce and relive this wonderful extravaganza of sight and sound. The DVD also contains many special features. Among them are a thirty minute documentary as well as commentaries by Roger Waters, Gerald Scarfe, Mark Fisher, Jonathan Park, Nick Griffiths, Mark Norton and Tony Hollingsworth. Some of the other features included in this long awaited and anticipated DVD are: 5.1 surround sound (re-engineered by Nick Griffiths and supervised by Roger Waters) 30 minute documentary about the days and events that lead up to the show. Animated feature by Gerald Scarfe Design feature by Mark Fisher Unseen footage showing Rupert Everett as Pink Gerald Scarfe and Roger Waters commentary Never before seen video filmed by director Ian Emes which had been intended to mix directly into the live TV feed, but never used. A section of digitally corrected still images of the show

The DVD is identical to the UK/European release, in terms of format and extras features.

The CD and SACD

Released by Universal Music, both the CD and SACD are 2-disc sets and are designed to match and complement the DVD. The CD has a catalog number of 0000752-02 (the -02 just stands for double CD), and a UPC number of 602498079744. The SACD has a catalog number of 0000753-02, and a UPC number of 602498079720.

The DVD of "The Wall Live in Berlin 1990," was released in The Region 2 (Europe, The UK, The Middle East, Australia, and Japan) at the end of April 2003. The release of the Region 2, Live In Berlin SACD was May 12th for Europe and Japan, and May 19th in the UK. This two disc SACD set (Catalog Number: 0385962) was a hybrid release - in other words, like Dark Side Of The Moon SACD, it contained two layers of music - the SACD layer, and a standard layer which can be "read" by all CD players.

However in an unbelievable, inexplicable, and unusual move, the Region 2 hybrid SACD version released in Europe and Japan etc., was NOT released in Region 1 (North America, Central America, and South America). Instead, Universal has released separate CD and SACD versions. These separate CDs have different catalog and UPC numbers. The huge problem with this is that the unlike the hybrid SACD, the US (Region 1) SACD release can NOT be played on standard CD players. It can ONLY be played on special SACD players!

Now you say, big deal, you don't get the Super Audio Dolby 5.1 Surround mix on a normal CD player anyway. Well the big deal is that even without a SACD player, if you have any kind of Surround Sound in your stereo system (and most modern amplifiers do), the new mix can be picked up and heard if you have it hooked up to 4 or more speakers. This may not be true Dolby 5.1, multi-channel Surround Sound, but it is a form of DSD (Direct Stream Digital) multi-channel Surround Sound made possible by the hybrid's Direct SBM (Super Bit Mapping Direct) process. So even on a standard CD player the hybrid SACD can sound like an entirely new and different recording.

The normal re-release of the CD does not sound remastered in any way. It seems simply a re-release of the original double CD set, but with new but cheaper packaging to match the DVD. In fact the sparse CD insert foldout and blurry photo's may make fans wonder why they would want to re-purchase this CD at all.

It is not known what reasoning was used for not releasing the same hybrid SACD version that they released in Europe, however, Universal has stupidly taken away THE main reason why anyone would buy and/or repurchase this CD. If you don't have a SACD player (and 90 percent of music buyers do not), and you have the original double CD of the show, most will not even bother buying the new US version of this CD. In addition, compared to the original release, the packaging is skimpy, and the recording sounds the same. If it is remastered, it is not evident to my ears.

However, the hybrid SACD version that was released in Europe (Catalog Number: 0385962), is highly recommended. The difference in the sound quality and mix is really unbelievable! Though a bit more expensive for US fans, it is worth it. It may still be available through the UK version of Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000093I3J/202-0360644-0139076

Latest News Autumn 2003

OBITUARIES

PINK FLOYD MANAGER
STEVE O'ROURKE DIES
Rumors Of Pink Floyd Reunion Prove False

Long time Pink Floyd Manager Steve O'Rourke, sadly passed away on October 30th 2003 in Miami, Florida.

Born on September 4th and raised in London England, Steve O'Rourke became Pink Floyd's Agent in 1968 and became their manager in 1970, and continued as their manager until his death in 2003. He as a member of the 'Pink Floyd Soccer Team,' during the 1970's. He was the exectutive producer for the movie Pink Floyd The Wall, and the live album Pink Floyd A Delicate Sound of Thunder.

A funeral service was held for Steve O'Rourke's at Chichester Cathedral in Sussex, England.There had been wide spread rumors on many Pink Floyd Internet sites that there had been a Pink Floyd reunion at this funeral service. It was reported that they had: "performed in tribute to the man who helped shape their career." However, reports that David, Roger, Richard and Nick had "put aside any differences, and got back together as a band" were found by REG to be completely untrue.

Roger, who reportedly had had less than a friendly relationship with Mr. O'Rourke for the past 20 years, was NOT in attendance. It was also reported that the Floyd members in attendance had "performed "Fat Old Sun" and "Great Gig In The Sky," and that Dick Parry played the saxophone whilst following the coffin." However, this could not be confirmed by REG, and we have reservations that this actually occurred.

MICHAEL KAMEN DIES AT AGE 55

After a long battle with multiple sclerosis, composer, arranger, conductor, producer and multi-instrumentalist Michael Kamen died in London England at age 55.

Michael Kamen's contribution to Pink Floyd and Roger Waters is extensive. He did the orchestral arrangements with Bob Ezrin on the album Pink Floyd The Wall. He co-produced and played piano and harmonium for the album Pink Floyd The Final Cut. He was the orchestral conductor and arranger of the score for the movie Pink Floyd The Wall. He co-produced, and was the orchestra conductor and arranger for the album Roger Waters The Pros and Cons of HitchHiking, he also played piano and keyboards on that album and was a member of the original Bleeding Hearts Band which toured for that album. He did the orchestral arrangements for David Gilmour's album About Face. He arranged and conducted the orchestras and choirs at the concert and on the album Roger Waters The Wall Live in Berlin. He arranged and conducted the orchestra for the album Roger Waters Amused to Death. He did the orchestration and orchestra arrangements for Gilmour's Pink Floyd album The Division Bell and played keyboards at their Knebworth concert in 1990. He was last seen in 2002 performing with David Gilmour at his solo concerts.

Michael Kamen was recognized within the music industry as being one of the best composers of orchestral pieces in rock'n'roll. This is truly a sad loss for all Roger Waters and Pink Floyd enthusiasts.

NEIL POSTMAN DIES

Neil Postman, the American social scientist and media critic died of cancer on Sunday Oct. 5th 2003, in New York state at the age of 72.

Born on March 8th, 1931 in New York City, Neil Postman became most widely known for his proverbial book "Amusing Ourselves To Death." It was the book's title as well as its theme of media domination and the resulting transformation of information into entertainment, that was utilized by Roger Waters in his third critically acclaimed album 'Amused To Death' which was released in 1992.

Neil Postman taught media ecology in New York, and brought about a wide-spread skepticism against the culturally damaging rise of a new media which proliferated information as entertainment, and the censorship that resulted from the corporate monopoly of both broadcast and print industries.

Among his other books, 'The Disappearance Of Childhood,' 'The Second Age Of Enlightenment' and 'No More Gods - The End Of Education,' 'Amusing Ourselves To Death' reached international critical acclaim. "TV is about to convert our culture into a huge arena of show business," Postman predicted almost 20 years ago.

He also regarded the Internet as a danger for kids, "because it gives the little ones access to all kinds of dangerous information and pictures, and can therefore destroy the innocence and shelter that was known as 'childhood' in previous generations." He even chided that online access for schools was a "complete waste."

Thanks to REG member Hans-Juergen Mueller, and other REG sources for this information

PINK FLOYD INTERSTELLAR EXHIBITION
Dubbed "Interstellar: Cite de la Musique," a major Pink Floyd retrospective exposition has opened in Paris. It will be on view from October 10th 2003 to January 25th 2004, and then will move to Germany.

The Interstellar exhibition contains rare film shows, artwork, and photos from Pink Floyd's entire history, housed in separate themed rooms in the Galerie des Expositions. Guided tours of the exhibition are available for an additional cost. Exclusive t-shirts and posters will also be on sale.

This exhibition could not have happened without the support and collaboration of all members of Pink Floyd, who provided the contents from their personal archives and allowed the cite de la musique to use them to tell their story. Interstellar retraces the epic journey of a group whose early experiments helped to define psychedelia and progressive rock and whose concept projects from the 1970's established the album as an art form.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the release of Dark Side of the Moon, this exhibition celebrates a band that has never gone out of fashion and whose approaches to sound, light, imagery and staging have influenced all aspects of the music industry.

On loan are items donated by: David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, Steve O'rourke, Emka Limited, Mark Fenwick, MFM Limited, Mark Fisher, Peter Jenner, Jonathan Park, Gerald Scarfe, Phil Taylor, Storm Thorgerson, and Peter Wynne Wilson.

ROGER WATERS IN PARIS
TO COMPLETE CA IRA OPERA
Roger Waters was back in Paris last November to complete the recording of his long awaited opera Ca Ira. REG sources have stated that the album is to be released sometime in 2004 on Sony Classical. "Ca Ira is now over 100 minutes long so if released in its entirety will be a 2 CD set."

ROGER TO BE A JUDGE
Reg sources have informed our fanclub that "Roger has agreed to judge the top ten lyricists in a song-writing competition organised by The Sir Charles Blues Lab with Ray Charles and Flea. The five winners will be flown to L.A. to have their songs produced by Ray Charles and special guest musicians. Ten schools and community centres will receive musical instruments for participating, and the project is designed to raise the profile of the arts, music and after school programmes for kids." You must be under 18 to submit a song or lyrics for the contest. Other judges for the event will be Alicia Keys, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist), and Ray Charles. The final winners will be announced in February 2004.

ROGER WRITES SONGS
ABOUT IRAQ INVASION
In a recent interview with Channel 2 in Iceland, Roger stated that he had written 2 or 3 songs about the recent US invasion of Iraq. He added, "I should release the album now..." During the short 15 minute interview, Roger also discusses his love of fishing and his recent catches.

FENDER AD CONGRATULATES
ROGER WATERS
In a new music magazine ad campaign, Fender Guitars congratulates Roger Waters and Pink Floyd on the 30th anniversary of 'Dark Side of the Moon. The ad features a photo of Roger from the 1977 Animals tour playing his black Fender bass.

THE DYBBUK OF THE HOLY APPLE FIELD
DVD RELEASE SET FOR LATE 2004
Zurich films is reportedly set to release a DVD for the film, "Dybbuk B'sde Hatapuchim Hakdoshim, Ha" (which translates to; The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field). No movie soundtrack CD was ever released. Reports state the DVD will only be released in Israel. The Hebrew language film, originally released in 1998, featured Roger Waters' version of the Bob Dylan song "Knockin On Heavens Door". The song was considered rare until it was released on the Roger Waters compilation album "Flickering Flame." Rick Wentworth, who collaborated with Roger on his opera Ca Ira, is credited with additional music. The film depicts a modern version of the classic Jewish legend of 'Dybbuk,' that takes place in present day Jerusalem.

GERALD SCARFE WEBSITE
NEW BOOK AND TOUR
Gerald Scarfe's web site (http://www.geraldscarfe.com) is now on line and fully active. There you will find full details about his new book "Heroes and Villains" as well as details of his upcoming UK tour, where Mr. Scarfe plans to give talks about his work. (See the Exclusive REG interview with Gerald Scarfe in REG Newsletter/Magazine issue 22.)

NICK MASON's BOOK
PINK FLOYD
THE OFFICIAL HISTORY
Nick Mason's book, Pink Floyd - The Official History, may finally be released sometime in 2004. The book was first scheduled for release in 1995 but was shelved after objections and a threatened lawsuit by David Gilmour. It has been said that Nick was always the one band member who collected and archived the bands history, so the book promises to reveal many unknown or unreported behind the scenes stories and perspectives, as well as previously unseen photos and memorabilia.

Nick had reportedly worked on the book for many years, but by 1993 the task of compiling the book became so daunting and time consuming that he had to employ an archivist who helped to log the material for the next 2 years in preparation for its original publication and release. No specific release date has been announced.

SNOWY WHITE
LIVE DATE
NEW ALBUM IN 2004
Last December, guitarist Snowy White, who toured with Pink Floyd during the Animals and The Wall tours, and who was a key member of Roger's band for The Wall Live in Berlin concert and the In the Flesh tours, performed for one of the first times since the end of Roger's tour. The concert was called 'A jam session with friends,' and was performed at The Corn Hall, Diss, Suffolk on Dec. 13th.

Snowy White's new album entitled "That's The Way It Is" was recently completed and is scheduled for released sometime in 2004. It will feature a new version of his hit single "Bird of Paradise." (See the Exclusive REG interview with Snowy White in REG Newsletter/Magazine issue 29.)

REDEVELOPMENT OF
BATTERSEA POWER STATION
BEGINS
The redevelopment of Battersea Power Station is under way at last. The UK power station which gained fame on the cover of the Pink Floyd album 'Animals,' where a huge pig inflatable was hung between it's giant smoke stacks, had originally been scheduled to be torn down. However after massive public outrage, a redevelopment plan was created which was to begin work in 1985.

Now, nearly 20 years later, work has begun on this massive redevelopment project. Though the complex will maintain it's famous four smoke stacks, it will become two five-star hotels with more than 1,000 rooms and conference facilities, a theater/auditorium with up to 4,000 seats, office space and 710 apartments.

MEMORIAL FUND
FOR DISASTER RELIEF:
UPDATE
The World Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief has ceased to operate in its original form, however two separate organizations have been formed in its place. They are; "The National Memorial Arboretum" and the "Leonard Cheshire Center for Conflict Recovery."

The Leonard Cheshire center for Conflict Recovery is responsible for the study and development of best practices in post conflict medicine and support. It limits itself to post conflict rather than natural disaster, and participates in post conflict operations in various parts of the world. For more information check out their website: http://www.leonard-cheshire.org/lcc/ or write to: The Leonard Cheshire Center, 4 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BT, or call Mathew Fleggson, Co-ordinator for Overseas Programs: ph: 020 7679 4518.

The National Memorial Arboretum is not a part of the Leonard Cheshire organization and is a separate charity. For more information on the Arboretum, check out their website: http://www.nationalmemorialarboretum.co.uk or contact David Childs, ph: 01722 716 310.

MARK FISHER
WEB SITE UPDATE
INCLUDES ANIMALS TOUR
Mark Fisher of the infamous Fisher/Park team of concert and stage set architects has updated his web site:
http://www.stufish.com//Pages/Dinosaur/Pink%20Floyd/Animals%20Tour/Pink%20Floyd%20Animals%20Concert%20Tour%201977%2001.html

It now includes some great new photos of Pink Floyd's 1977 Animals tour. Mark explains how "Roger Waters wanted to add an inflatable family to the Animals show", which he demonstrates with 4 great diagrams.

Mark Fisher together with his partner Jonathan Park designed and built Pink Floyds tour sets for Animals and The Wall, as well as Roger Waters tour sets for his Pros and Cons of HitchHiking, Radio KAOS, and The Wall Live in Berlin tours. He went on alone outside the company Fisher/Park to design and build the tour stage sets for A Momentary Lapse of Reason and Division Bell tours. (See the Exclusive REG interview with Mark Fisher in REG Newsletter/Magazine issue # 13. and the Exclusive REG interview with Jonathan Park in issue #36.)

Short Segment of CA IRA to premier at Malta EU Celebration

A recorded segment of Roger Waters' long awaited classical opera CA IRA will be played at the Maltese EU Celebration.

To celebrate Malta's May 1st, formal integration as one of the newer members of the European Union, there will be a massive multimedia extravaganza to be performed at Malta's Grand Harbor.

Malta's EU-entry celebrations will be held on Friday April 30, 2004. The event is expected to take place between 8.30 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. Plans for the spectacular include a main stage and six smaller stages where local bands and singers will perform.

The evening will end in a joint countdown to 12 midnight May 1st, led by Malta's prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami and European Union Commissioner Romano Prodi, as the people of Malta are welcomed into the European Union.

Scheduled at 11:55 in the midst of Malta's Grand Harbor will begin what is termed a grand manifestation which will be a massive show of light and sound. The Maltese national anthem will play and this will be followed by the joint countdown by the Maltese Prime Minister, and via satellite, the European Commission President.

As the clock strikes 12 midnight, Saturday May 1st the minute of Malta's ascension into the European Union, a 15 minute premier of Roger Waters classical opera CA IRA will be played through the massive sound system. This will be not be a live orchestral rendering nor will Roger be performing. It will be only a pre-recorded segment of the CA IRA opera.

Providing gigantic visual art as a backdrop to Rogers aria soundscape will be a spectacular light show created by renowned German artist Gert Hof. Ross Ashton the designer of the jubilee celebrations at London's Buckingham Palace will also be contributing and assisting with the projections.

Gert Hof is known for his spectacular and unique works of light art such as that witnessed in Moscow's Red Square in September 2003. Ross Ashton was also responsible for Roger Waters PIGI projections used during his 1999 and 2000 In The Flesh tours of the US.

This massive multimedia spectacular which will light up the sky amidst Malta's Grand Harbor, which consists of architectural relic's, ruins and bastions from the Middle Ages will create a vivid and inspirational atmosphere of emotion and awe for the expected 100,000 plus spectators.

There have been many inaccurate reports about this event and Roger's involvement in it, posted on many Roger Waters and Pink Floyd web sites. Some said that Roger Waters would be appearing. Some said that Roger Waters would be performing. Some even said that the entire CA IRA opera would be performed live by an orchestra. None of these reports however is accurate. This is yet again another reason why REG members and Waters fans turn to the REG fanclub for accurate and credible information!

REG sources within Roger's management have told our fanclub the following: There have been a few articles and press releases published that are essentially correct but factually inaccurate. We have agreed to allow Gert Hoff to play back 15 mins of CA Ira with his light and firework spectacular at 12 midnight on the night that Malta joins the EU (30 April - 1 May 2004). As you know CA Ira is a modern classical opera not a rock opera. It is unlikely that Roger will attend and if he does, it will be to be interviewed by the press.

Various segments of the celebrations will be televised live by the European Broadcasting Unions.

However, whether or not the event will take place as described is not necessarily a foregone conclusion. The contract for the celebration was awarded to the Welcomeurope consortium. However, at this time, it is currently being scrutinized by the appeals board of the Contracts Department following an appeal by Pres - an unsuccessful bidder.

According to The Times of Malta; The unsuccessful bidders for the celebrations marking Malta's entry into the EU believe its line-up has what it takes to guarantee a grand show.

Composer Mike Oldfield, artistic designer Robbie Williams and Jeff Wayne, the creator of the War of the Worlds musical, were in the Pres consortium's team for the celebrations, a spokesman for the consortium said.

Welcomeurope, the winning consortium, has on its part managed to entice former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters to premiere 15 minutes of his long-awaited opera, when Malta celebrates its EU entry on the night of April 30. Welcomeurope have also brought on board artistic director Gert Hof and designer Ross Ashton.

The contract awarded to Welcomeurope is currently being evaluated by the appeals board of the Contracts Department, following an objection raised by the Pres consortium.

A spokesman for Pres said their event would have culminated at midnight with Mr. Oldfield interpreting Ode to Joy from a floating stage on the Grand Harbor. This would have been synchronized to a light and sound spectacle focused on Fort St. Angelo.

Mr. Oldfield is world-renowned for his inspirational and uplifting Tubular Bells albums.

Mr. Williams had also confirmed his participation as the production's technical director. His portfolio includes the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations and the Millennium Dome Opening ceremony. He was to be joined by Mr. Wayne, composer of The War of the Worlds, a highly popular soundtrack.

Apart from the European Broadcasting Union, Pres has sought other interested television operators to broadcast between 30 minutes to an hour of the event. Among the interested parties is Oasis TV Eutalset, according to Pres.

In addition, ITC Ltd. have filed a constitutional case against winning consortium Welcomeurope. Claiming that its rights to a fair hearing were violated.

ITC Ltd. filed its application in the First Hall of the Civil Court against the Attorney General, the Appeals Board for Public Contracts and the Director of Contracts.

The company said it had not been awarded the tender after the Director of Contracts and the Contracts Committee, on the advice of the Adjudicating Board of the Ministry for Youth and Culture, awarded the tender to a consortium known as Welcome Europe.

ITC Ltd. objected in writing to this decision and on its part Welcome Europe replied in writing to the objection. The Director of Contracts also submitted an analytic report. Following this the Appeals Board had, on February 19, called a meeting to discuss this appeal. However, the board refused to uphold the company's request for a number of documents, including the report prepared by the Adjudicating Board, to be exhibited in the appeal proceedings. This refusal, the company said, had led to a violation of its right to a fair hearing, which right was protected by the Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights.

The court was requested to declare that the proceedings before the Appeals Board for Public Contracts were in violation of ITC Ltd's rights and to provide it with a remedy.

Prof. Ian Refalo also signed the application.

Therefore at present, the planning of the celebration is on hold pending the outcome of the Contracts Dept. Appeals Board.

RPWL TO PLAY LIVE IN THE U.S.!!

RPWL, the German progressive rock band oft reviewed and touted in REG Newsletter/magazine issues, will be performing for the first time in the U.S. this Spring.

This once Pink Floyd tribute band, who've been writing and performing their own fantastic and completely original material for years, has heretofore only performed in Europe. This is the first time they will be performing in the U.S. And the excitement is mounting. To see this band perform live is not only a treat to the senses and ears, but an unbelievable opportunity for any lover of great music. I would gladly travel 500 to 1000 miles or more to see this band perform. They are THAT good, and their music is THAT good!!

RPWL will be performing along with 7 other bands at the Rite of Spring Festival (dubbed ROSfest 2004), a 2 day progressive rock festival which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 24th and 25th 2004 at the majestic 'Colonial Theater' in Phoenixville Pennsylvania (a suburb of Philadelphia).

The venue address for the festival is:
The COLONIAL THEATER
227 Bridge St, P.O. Box 712
Phoenixville, PA, 19460
610-917-0223

RPWL will be the headliner band on Sunday April 25th, the second day of the festival, and will be performing from 9PM to 11:30 PM.

RPWL is currently in the process of recording their 4th album. The band is made up of exceptional musicians, and much of their song writing can be truly termed musical genius. Their musical style is somewhat a cross between Pink Floyd (all iterations) and early Genesis (with Peter Gabriel). Their first album, "GOD HAS FAILED" received huge international critical acclaim as one of the best albums in the last 20 years. Their second and third albums, "Trying to Kiss the Sun," and "Stock," were also received with rave reviews. It is with great anticipation that I await the release of their fourth musical masterpiece.

More information regarding RPWL can be found at their website: http://www.rpwl.de/

I urge ALL REG members and Pink Floyd fans to do ANYTHING they can to go to this show and see RPWL live in concert! I know you won't regret it.

TICKETS for the 2 day ROSfest event are ON SALE NOW and are $80.00. There will be 8 bands performing extended sets over this two day weekend festival, so that's only $10.00 per show! I'm not sure if 1 day tickets can be purchased. To find out call: 484-432-7357 or 215-840-5789. Payment for tickets can be made by phone, on line, or by mail:
PHILLY PROG ROCK CONNECTION
P.O. BOX 687, COATESVILLE, PA. 19320

For information on tickets, directions, lodging, transportation, restaurants, band information and all other information concerning the Rite of Spring prog rock fest, go to http://www.rosfest.com/.

CA IRA at Malta EU Celebration

Segments of CA IRA premier at Malta EU Celebration

Fifteen minutes of recorded segments of Roger Waters' long awaited classical opera CA IRA were performed at the Maltese EU Celebration.

To celebrate Malta's May 1st formal integration as one of the newer members of the European Union, there was a massive multimedia extravaganza performed at Malta's Grand Harbor.

Malta's EU-entry celebrations were held on Friday April 30, 2004. Despite warnings about possible bad weather for the area, the event took place between 8:30 PM and 12:30 AM. without a hitch. The spectacular included a main stage and six smaller stages where local bands and singers performed.

The evening ended in a joint countdown to 12 midnight May 1st, led by Malta's prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami and European Union Commissioner Romano Prodi, as the people of Malta were welcomed into the European Union.

Scheduled at 11:55 in the midst of Malta's Grand Harbor began what was termed a grand manifestation which was a massive show of light and sound. The Maltese national anthem was played, and was followed by a joint countdown by the Maltese Prime Minister, and via satellite, the European Commission President.

As the clock struck 12 midnight, Saturday May 1st, the minute of Malta's ascension into the European Union, a 15 minute premier of Roger Waters' classical opera CA IRA was played through the massive sound system. This was not a live rendering of the piece by an orchestra, nor did Roger Waters perform, but was only pre-recorded segments of the CA IRA opera.

Providing gigantic visual art as a backdrop to Rogers Aria Soundscape was a spectacular light show created by renowned German artist Gert Hoff. Ross Ashton the designer of the jubilee celebrations at London's Buckingham Palace also contributed and assisted with the projections.

Gert Hoff is known for his spectacular and unique works of light art such as that witnessed in Moscow's Red Square in September 2003. Ross Ashton was also responsible for Roger Waters PIGI projections used during his 1999 and 2000 In The Flesh tours of the US.

The massive multimedia spectacular used lights and fireworks to create "light monuments" in the sky amidst Malta's Grand Harbor, which consists of architectural relic's, ruins and bastions from the Middle Ages, and created a vivid and inspirational atmosphere of emotion and awe for the 100,000 plus spectators. The map of the event can still be seen on the main Malta EU Celebration web site at: http://www.welcomeurope.com.mt/original.html The event was free, except for special tickets and VIPs, who were seated at the front of the main stage. This was the second live performance of (part of) Ca Ira - the first being at the Royal Albert Hall on 16th October 2002.

There have been many inaccurate reports about this event and Roger's involvement in it, posted on many Roger Waters and Pink Floyd web sites. Some said that Roger Waters would be appearing. Some said that Roger Waters would be performing. Some even said that the entire CA IRA opera would be performed live by an orchestra. None of these reports however were accurate.

As the REG site reported months before the event; REG sources within Roger's management had told our fanclub the following: "There have been a few articles and press releases published that are essentially correct but factually inaccurate. We have agreed to allow Gert Hoff to play back 15 mins of CA Ira with his light and firework spectacular at 12 midnight on the night that Malta joins the EU (30 April - 1 May 2004). As you know CA Ira is a modern classical opera not a rock opera. It is unlikely that Roger will attend and if he does, it will be to be interviewed by the press." Having accurate and credible information in regard to all things Roger Waters, is yet again another reason why REG members and Waters fans turn to the REG The International Roger Waters Fanclub! There were actually 10 countries in all who were given new EU membership on this historic evening. All celebrations were televised by the EBU (European Broadcasting Unions) to an audience estimated at over 1 billion.

The broadcast began at 10:15 PM CET, with many countries around Europe signed up to the live feed. ZDF broadcast Willkommen Europa from 22:15hrs - 00:15hrs, and ORF2 broadcast Willkommen Europa with a pre-show from 20:15hrs - 22:00 hrs, followed by the main show from 22:15hrs - 00:15hrs.

German presenter Nina Ruge hosted the televised show in the Konzerthaus at the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin, where she greeted the Europe-wide audience and showcased each of the countries joining the EU. The music performed in the studio was interspersed with live feeds from the second venue of the evening: an open-air stage in Warsaw in front of the old Royal Castle.

Unfortunately, television audiences in many countries were let down by the coverage of the event - getting patchy or non-existent sound and pictures. Some commentators in other countries decided to talk over the performance, much to the annoyance of Roger Waters fans, who had tuned in just for this!

There were two "countdowns to accession" due to the differing time zones; the second of which, at midnight Central European Time (CET), featured the dramatic climax to the whole event - the music of Roger Waters' Ca Ira (described as the pre-premiere of the piece) alongside the spectacular "Light Monument", Gert Hoff's gigantic scale firework display of light and color.

Originally, late last year Roger Waters had been asked to write a song for the event. But after some negotiation, he agreed to the airing of the Aria of his opera Ca Ira at the Malta EU celebration instead.

CA IRA, which is scheduled to be released towards the end of 2004, was written for an 84 piece orchestra, three soloists (tenor, baritone and soprano) and an adult and children's choir. The libretto was written by Frenchman Etienne Roda Gil. The committee behind the EU expansion celebrations felt that there were strong parallels - Ca Ira deals with the French Revolution as a metaphor for people's strength in their fight for freedom, equality and fraternity - "values that today still embody the ethical foundations of the European Union" (Expansion committee statement).

Months before the event however there had been controversy as to whether the event would happen at all. Apparently, the contract for the celebration was awarded to the Welcomeurope consortium. However this had been scrutinized by the appeals board of the Contracts Department following an appeal by Pres - an unsuccessful bidder.

According to The Times of Malta; Pres consortium, the unsuccessful bidders for the celebrations marking Malta's entry into the EU felt that its line-up had what it took to guarantee a grand show. Composer Mike Oldfield (world-renowned for his inspirational and uplifting Tubular Bells albums), artistic designer Robbie Williams, and Jeff Wayne (composer, producer, and creator of the War of the Worlds musical), were among the Pres consortium's team for the celebrations. Mr. Williams, spokesman for the consortium also confirmed his participation as the production's technical director. His portfolio includes the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations and the Millennium Dome Opening ceremony. He was to be joined by Mr. Wayne, composer of the highly popular War of the Worlds soundtrack. Welcomeurope, the winning consortium, stated that it had on its part managed to entice former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters to premiere 15 minutes of his long-awaited opera, when Malta celebrates its EU entry on the night of April 30. Welcomeurope had also brought on board artistic director Gert Hoff and designer Ross Ashton.

A spokesman for Pres said their event would have culminated at midnight with Mr. Oldfield interpreting Ode to Joy from a floating stage on the Grand Harbor. This would have been synchronized with a light and sound spectacle focused on Fort St. Angelo.

Apart from the European Broadcasting Union, Pres had sought other interested television operators to broadcast between 30 minutes to an hour of the event. Among the interested parties was Oasis TV Eutalset. In addition, ITC Ltd. had filed a constitutional case against winning consortium Welcomeurope, claiming that its rights to a fair hearing were violated. ITC Ltd. filed its application in the First Hall of the Civil Court against the Attorney General, the Appeals Board for Public Contracts and the Director of Contracts. The company said it had not been awarded the tender after the Director of Contracts and the Contracts Committee, on the advice of the Adjudicating Board of the Ministry for Youth and Culture, awarded the tender to a consortium known as Welcome Europe.

ITC Ltd. objected in writing to this decision and on its part Welcome Europe replied in writing to the objection. The Director of Contracts also submitted an analytic report. Following this the Appeals Board had, on February 19, called a meeting to discuss this appeal. However, the board refused to uphold the company's request for a number of documents, including the report prepared by the Adjudicating Board, to be exhibited in the appeal proceedings. This refusal, the company said, had led to a violation of its right to a fair hearing, a right which was protected by the Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights.

The court was requested to declare that the proceedings before the Appeals Board for Public Contracts were in violation of ITC Ltd's rights and to provide it with a remedy.

All this controversy led to the planning of the celebration to be put on hold pending the outcome of the Contracts Dept. Appeals Board. Fortunately, ultimately the Welcomeurope consortium won out and the event went on as originally planned.

Gert Hoff arrived in Malta the Sunday before the event, accompanied by his 56-man team, 100 mega searchlights, and eight 40-foot trailers of equipment. His light monument for this event, which he had been working on since October, was a combination of architecture, lights, lasers (which were bounced off the sea), high-altitude fireworks and music systems.

The Times Of Malta reported that the emotion Hoff wanted to create was one of "astonishment and amazement". He wanted to mesmerize his audience, and "take them aback with surprise. No one ever gets surprised these days," he claimed. The light show happens in the sky, utilizing light beams that rise 70km high, and the idea is to unite the audience and take them on a trip into space. At the same time, he said he "would like to create a sense of inner calm, peace and silence." Just before Midnight, the massive festival atmosphere saw a New Year's Eve style countdown in the capital. As the clock struck 12, the member states of the European Union increased to 25, as ten new states joined the existing fifteen. At that moment the words "Welcome Europe" and "Solidarity" were beamed onto Fort St Angelo's imposing walls, as Roger Waters' eagerly awaited new work began from the loudspeakers. Smoke from the barrage of fireworks cleared to reveal 25 small flag-bearing sailing ships in the harbor - one for each EU member state.

The huge crowd witnessed the extravaganza, leaving most vantage points full to capacity. The weather was calm, despite early fears of rain and wind, and the still water in the harbor served as a mirror to the lights and lasers used so effectively by Gert Hoff and Ross Ashton.

In terms of the Ca Ira premiere, we heard three parts of the overall opera, sequenced together by Hoff. Starting with the Overture, (as previously performed at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2002), this lead to a short two minute piece called "The Taking Of Bastille", after which was heard a wonderful eight minute piece entitled "Silver, Sugar, and Indigo" (These items were key trading commodities at the time of the French Revolution, and were commonly used in exchange for slaves. Indigo was used as a dye, and was much in demand.) The piece was a great conclusion to the event.

Now that the Malta spectacular is over, there are reports that Gert Hoff and Roger Waters are at an advanced stage of arrangements for a full Ca Ira show, and that work has been ongoing for some months now to book various venues to put on a show (including two major Parisian venues). But according to these reports those efforts appear to have floundered amidst the typical difficulties of staging a major show in a capital city. However, the reports state that the latest attempt could make it through to completion. The chosen venue is the Winter Palace, part of The Hermitage in St Petersburg Russia - where the Russian Revolution began in 1917. Rumors are gathering apace that the show will be held around the end of October or the beginning of November, but it must be stressed that these reports have not been confirmed by REG. In any case, nothing is definite, nothing has been officially announced, and no tickets are on sale.

If you missed viewing the stunning show in Malta, or had the misfortune of poor (or non-existent) television coverage of the event, there have been reports that Gert Hoff will be releasing a collection of six of his shows on one DVD sometime before Christmas 2004, and will include a re-edited Malta performance as part of it. Also, there's a great selection of pictures on the Internet, as well as an on-demand replay of the whole Maltese EU accession show available to view. Both can be found on the di-ve.com website: Here, for the photo gallery and here for the video. The show is available in a selection of formats.

PP ARNOLD AND SNOWY WHITE ON THE ROAD!

PP Arnold, who has toured with Roger Waters on his last three outings, joined Madeline Bell (who can be heard on both 'The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking and Radio KAOS albums) and Ruby Turner for a June 11th concert. The show, called "The Three Divas," was held at 'The Wisley Music Festival 2004,' and was a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, and starred Ruby Turner, Madeline Bell, and PP Arnold, with the BBC Big Band. Tickets were reasonably priced at �26. (http://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/wisleymusicfestival2004.asp)

Before the show, PP Arnold told REG: "I will be performing at the Wisley Festival near Guildford with Madeline Bell, Ruby Turner and myself with the B. B. C. Big Band. The concert is entitled 3 Divas and we will be singing the songs of the 3 divas, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin. I return to Spain June 12 and will be doing some recording with Roger while I am there, so I'll tell you all about it on my return." PP Arnold will also be appearing live at the Festival Euro YeYe in Gijon, Spain at the end of July, and at the Bank Holiday Mod Weekend at Margate in August. She will be appearing at both venues with a band called, 'The Teenagers. The Euro YeYe Festival in Gijon Spain will run from July 28th to August 2nd. The event organisers, "Trouble and Tea Entertainment" intend for the event to be a great tribute to the '60s 'Mod' era.

Stay tuned for our exclusive interview with PP Arnold in the next issue of REG!

Snowy White announced he has completed a new album entitled "That's The Way It Is," which features a new version of 'Bird of Paradise." It will be released mid 2004.

Snowy and his band 'The White Flames' began an impromptu tour beginning with live dates in the UK, and performed material from his new album at all the shows. The White Flames are; Max Middleton and Richard Bailey (both ex-Jeff Beck band members) on keyboards and drums, and Walter Latupeirissa on bass. Their first show, Dec. 13th 2003 in Suffolk, was called 'A jam session with friends.' In March, they played 5 shows in Holland and Germany, and in April traveled to Greece for 3 shows there. In May, Snowy performed 3 dates in Lithuania, one of which was recorded and filmed for a future DVD release! In a recent interview, Snowy White's manager announced a possible live CD, as well as DVD. Stating: "You you don't really know Snowy until you've seen him live with his band."

He added that "Snowy's sound engineer apparently had worked on Roger's last tour and after the show was showing everyone pieces of video from recent tours and concerts. One of them was from the Japan leg of Roger's tour. The video showed the band waiting in an airport lounge. There was PP Arnold, Linda Lewis, Snowy, and sleeping on the floor was Harry Waters. He looked like he was having the best sleep of his life. He chose a cosy spot just behind all the chairs in this waiting lounge, compressed against a wall. Then the footage changes to the inside of a bullet train with the band enjoying themselves while Graham parades in the corridor. No sign of Roger though. And that was it."

WATERS AND FLOYDIAN NEWS FOR SPRING 2004

The set will be available Monday June 14th 2004, initially only in the UK and Europe for the recommended list price of �21.99, but will retail for about �19.99. There are as yet no details if or when this 3 disc limited edition will be available in other countries.

Universal has previously released Abba, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley as 'Deluxe Sound and Vision Limited edition sets.

An exclusive interview with Roger Waters appeared in the June 2004 issue of the UK's Uncut Magazine. The June 2004 issue of Uncut magazine hit the shelves with a cover featuring Roger, Dave, Nick and Rick alongside the banner; "Anger. Betrayal. Regret. The last days of Pink Floyd". This great interview features a large selection of photos and finds Roger in great spirit.

The interview looks back on the troubled history of The Final Cut - his ambitious anti-war opus, and some would say the last true Pink Floyd album - recorded against a backdrop of bitterness, anger and frustration. In this interview Roger talks about the breakup of the band, and subsequent versions of the truth. He refers to the book about the band that Nick Mason has been writing, and how he had offered to go through it with Nick to try and get some consensus about the story. The majority of the interview however is about The Final Cut, and the split of the band - as he sees it. At one point he discusses how memories and facts can be perceived differently by different people, and even created, and in time, believed to be the truth. Roger had often talked about his Broadway version of 'The Wall,' complete with laughs while on tour in 2002, commenting that he'd worked on writing it in between shows while on the tour plane. Later in the interview, he says; "I'm just on the verge of signing a deal with Miramax to rewrite the whole thing as a Broadway show. I've written the first 10 pages... I've been very keen on, and have thought about, rewriting it at some point - to get my humor into it." When asked if it might be put on elsewhere, he said: "It might well open in London. We'll see." Now that Miramax have expressed interest in the finished product, and being that Roger retained the full rights to 'The Wall' following his split from Pink Floyd, the possibility of seeing it performed on stage seems very real.

Further into the interview, Roger touches on war and politics, and makes reference to a song he wrote recently about when he was a young man, hitchhiking back to London from Beirut, and the family who took him in and looked after him. He also mentions his forthcoming opera, Ca Ira, and says "...that's what I do every day, I put sound effects on my opera. It's about the history of the French Revolution."

The June issue of Uncut can be purchased from many news and book sellers worldwide, or from the back issues page of the Uncut web site: http://www.uncut.co.uk/, or by phone: +44-208-532-3628, or via the website: http://www.mags-uk.com/ipc.

The Final Cut had been a largely overlooked and not overly cherished album from Floyd's extensive back catalogue. So, some might question why the remaster and reissue of this album. When asked the reason for the reissue and remastering of The Final Cut album, an EMI spokesperson stated: "The reason of this reprint is because the album is now on the EMI label worldwide. Until now, Sony Music owned the rights for North America, Japan, etc... and EMI wanted a new version to celebrate the return to its catalogue. The main change, in this version, is represented by the addition of "When The Tigers Broke Free". Tigers was recorded for The Wall film, and was originally destined for The Final Cut album. But in the end, it was left off as it was too personally linked to Roger Waters life.

EMI suggested inserting this song on the reprint of The Final Cut, and both Roger and the current Floyd approved it. A copy of the album was done, placing "Tigers" into the sequence in four different points to find the best place. Finally a copy was sent to Roger and he decided. We then did a new mix of the song, starting from 16-track tapes of the film soundtrack (a different mix from the "Echoes" one) and we inserted it into the sequence using a cross-fading effect. The other mixes are the originals. We mastered all starting from original analog tapes, using a special machine built by Tim de Paravicini. It used a valve EQ (by Tim too), linked to a "Gold Series" A/D converter from Dan Lavry Engineering. The album was compiled in SADiE. This version of The Final Cut has the best sound it ever has had on CD..." When The Tigers Broke Free was due to appear on The Final Cut it was (Tigers) released as a gatefold sleeved 7" single. So it was a surprise to many when it didn't appear on the album. The omission has now been rectified. The addition and positioning of "Tigers" now, initially provoked some controversy because amending the order of any Pink Floyd album is guaranteed to cause contention amongst the Floyd fan community. Any changes therefore needed to be undertaken carefully, with sensitively and reason.

It had originally been suggested that "Tigers" be split in two as it is in the film "The Wall," with the second half arriving as "Two Suns In The Sunset" fades out. Thankfully, this was not done and it is sandwiched between "One Of The Few" and "The Hero's Return."

It is a shame, that though Tigers can be added to the album, but the second part of The Hero's Return remains as a B-side on the "Not Now John" single. There are reports that there are some differences in the running times between the original and this new 2004 version. Some tracks are slightly longer, some have had a few seconds shaved off. Overall, not including the addition of Tigers, the running time is six seconds shorter - but this is not obvious upon initial listenings. However, an EMI spokesperson stated "Absolutely nothing is missing, and the difference is mainly due to the cross-fade into and out of Tigers. It's a process that, by its nature, depends on where you start and stop the clock - it can make a subtle difference. Having seen the revised track times, it seems clear that different start/stop points have been used throughout the album..." There are also reports that Roger's vocals have more presence in places - such as in "The Post War Dream" - and that certain instruments (such as piano) are more prominent in this remastered mix. According to an EMI source, the album sounds absolutely better than ever, and the addition of Tigers in the album sequence sounds totally natural - as if it had always been there.

A certain amount of revision of the original packaging has been undertaken, and the revision has a new 16 page booklet. The case features a removable sticker, promoting the extra track, rather than being printed on the cover itself. The front cover features much sharper reproduction of the medal ribbons, under slightly smaller album titling, and the rear picture of the soldier with the knife in his back looks a lot better. Credits for the album appear on the rear, alongside the song titles, however the addition of a large bar code seems to spoil the look.

The booklet has been expanded, showcasing Roger's own designs for the album. The back of the booklet now features an enlarged knifed soldier, unlike the original which had the track listing like the CD back. There are nine additional pages, two new (circular) pictures - one of which is reproduced on the disc itself, now in full color compared to the bland text-only before - and lyrics you can read! There are only two changes to the booklet credits - gone is "artwork: Artful Dodgers", and added to the mastering are James Guthrie and Joel Plante's work at Guthrie's Das Boot recording studio. Pink Floyd's management is still shown as (the late) Steve O'Rourke, and the overall copyright is changed from "Pink Floyd Music Publishers" to "Roger Waters Music Overseas" - although on the back of the CD, it credits "Pink Floyd Music Ltd"!

The Final Cut - 2004 Remaster can be purchased or ordered from most record shops as well as ordered online from various music web sites.

After Parting Company with Pink Floyd, Barrett released the eccentric "The Madcap Laughs" in 1970. The more accessible "Barrett" followed later that same year with the help of Dave Gilmour, Richard Wright, and Humble Pie's drummer Jerry Shirley. Gilmour and Shirley accompany Syd on the Two Radio One Sessions. These sessions show a relaxed Syd strumming some of his best and most uplifting tunes including 'Terrapin' and 'Baby Lemonade,' to a backing of acoustic guitar and bongos.

1. Track Listing:
   
2. Terrapin
   
3. Gigolo Aunt
   
4. Baby Lemonade
   
5. Effervescing Elephant
   
6. Two of a Kind
   
7. Baby Lemonade
   
8. Dominoes
   
9. Love Song
   

The first part of the eight track album features a re-issue of the first recording from the Top Gear Session from February 1970, featuring David Gilmour on bass and Humble Pie's drummer Jerry Shirley. The second part, (tracks 6 to 8 - Baby Lemonade, Dominoes and Love Song), is the long lost recording of Syd's only other solo sitting for Radio 1, the rare Bob Harris Session in February '71. Missing from the BBC's archives, and previously only available as a bootleg, this session had never been officialially released. It comes from an off-air recording and is therefore inevitably of poor quality, which gives the songs a darker feel than the first set, as Syd's ethereal, shadowy voice is backed by only acoustic guitar and bass.

The album starts with the first of five tracks from early 1970, featuring a very "with it" sounding Syd, backed by Jerry Shirley on drums, and David Gilmour providing guitar and very competent bass and organ work, which underpins the majority of tracks. In fact it's Gilmour's work that really keeps the music heading in the right direction. The sound quality here is an obvious improvement over the original Peel Sessions CDs - as there's more presence and crispness to all frequencies.

The ballad Terrapin is a great opener, though Gigalo Aunt is a bit bland until the solo towards the end. Baby Lemonade is a markedly different version than on "Barrett". Effervescing Elephant, a song written and performed by Syd from his childhood, is similar to the album version, but without any backing or sound effects - it's just Syd and acoustic guitar. Two Of A Kind, the final track from the 1970 session, betrays its rumored origins as a Richard Wright composition, being lyrically and musically atypical of Syd's other work.

There is an obvious dip in sound quality with the fade in to Baby Lemonade from the "lost" session of 1971. The tape stolen, mislaid or wiped at the BBC, it fell to the producers of the CD to source one of the many bootlegs of the session. Although better than most, there are one or two boots which feature better quality versions of this session. However, this is the official release and the best most fans are gonna get. Plus, Syd will get royalties, so it's a worthwhile purchase. The three tracks here however, are still quite listenable, even if Syd does sound a bit more fragile than before. Dave's bass dominates, and if there are drums, you can't hear them! Baby Lemonade, and Dominoes, are very mournful, and Love Song is a bit muddy sounding and fades mid song. At only twenty minutes, this is a short CD, but is priced accordingly. It's an improvement over previous Peel Session CDs, and a nice legal way to own the '71 session.

Label: Strange Fruit/Pinnacle
Catalogue #: SFRSCD127
ASIN: B0001GNL2W

Dark Side rumored to be already mixed for DVD-Audio could be a Dual Disc. Sources in the pro audio business in Europe tell AudioRevolution.com that the audiophile classic album, Dark Side of The Moon which was originally mixed for its initial high resolution release on DVD-Audio (before its release as a hybrid SACD) may soon resurface as a DVD-Audio title in the United States. Dark Side was supposedly mixed for DVD-Audio at Abbey Road Studios and then rejected by members of the Pink Floyd camp. The band's long time mixing engineer, James Guthrie, has since publicly stated his preference for the SACD format and denies the original mix was done for DVD-Audio. The album was eventually released as hybrid SACD and stands as the most successful SACD title to date in terms of overall sales.

Rumors of another version of Dark Side of The Moon on DVD-Audio mixed by Alan Parsons, the original engineer on the album, surfaced when his own personal test disc was heard at a private listening session in Los Angeles. Therefore, his DVD-Audio version exists but is nothing other than a test by Parsons. It is not an official mix and is unlikely to be the mix approved by the band or used by EMI for a future dual disc CD/DVD-Audio release.

Since the test, marketing of CD/DVD-Audio flip discs began this February in Seattle and Boston by EMI (and other major labels), rumors of Dark Side and possibly a few other classic Pink Floyd titles coming out on DVD-Audio have quickly resurfaced. Universal Music Group has made it a common practice to release titles on SACD (their "preferred" high resolution format) and then three months later they release a DVD-Audio version. EMI, in the states, has been an enthusiastic supporter of DVD-Audio and would be likely to release such a successful classic album in another format if they thought they could sell millions more units of the record. Now that DVD-Audio can be paired with a CD on the same disc, the temptation might be too strong for EMI to resist.

Inside Out: A Personal History Of Pink Floyd" by Nick Mason will be published by Orion Books and will reportedly hit UK store shelves on September 9th 2004. It is not yet known when the book will be available in the US. The hardback book will be a hefty 360 page tome full of rare pictures and Nick Mason's personal view of the history of the band. It will have a list price of �30.00 in the UK and likely $40.00 in the US, though the actual selling price should be around �21.00 and $29.00.

Nick Mason had worked for years on the book, cataloging and chronicling 30 years of historical info he had archived. His book entitled "Pink Floyd: The Official History," was set to be published in 1995, and in fact had already been printed, but its publishing was shelved due to objections and a threatened lawsuit by David Gilmour. Gilmour stated that because he hadn't collaborated on the book, it should not be called an official history of the band. So, every copy of the original book was pulped before reaching the public.

Now, after being on hold for 8 years, the book will finally be published, though the new title reflects a change of focus stating it is a personal history. Advance orders are already being taken via Amazon.com UK, France, and Germany (though not yet within the US) through these links. In: The UK, France, or Germany.

Inside Pink Floyd - A Critical Review 1967 - 1996", will be a 2 disc DVD set complete with accompanying book. It is scheduled for release June 14th, 2004. At first this DVD/Book/CD release was to be on the Classic Rock label as part of their Inside the Music "Critical Review" series, which has already covered artists such as Genesis, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy. However, 'Inside Pink Floyd DVD's/CD's/Book will be released instead on the Ragnarock Ltd. label.

The Inside the Music series features rare archive footage of the bands in question, as well as interview footage of the performers themselves, alongside comment and analysis by critics, other musicians, and musicologists.

The Pink Floyd title covers their concerts, records, and film work, from Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, to Pulse. DVD disc 1 looks at the years 1967 - 1974, and disc 2, 1975 - 1996. The departure of Roger Waters, leaving David Gilmour in charge of the band is covered in detail. The book is a track-by-track analysis of each studio album.

The DVD/Book Set will be released worldwide, in PAL and NTSC editions for the different markets, on the same day irrespective of the country.

Promising previously unreleased material and boasting a Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS surround sound mix, the release looks like it will be quite a collectible for Pink Floyd fans. Classical Rock Productions have a great reputation for presentation and this release should be no exception.

Three different DVD products will be available for purchase, first is a book which will contain the 2 DVD's in either PAL or NTSC formats and will only be available from the Classic Rock website (http://www.classicrockproductions.com/2004/) It will be priced at �29.95 plus shipping. Ordering details will be on the site. Each DVD contained within the book will also be available separately as standard DVD's on June 14th, via retail outlets in UK/Europe and priced at �12.99 (approximately 17 euros). The individual DVD's will be released in USA/Canada at a later date. A similar pricepoint will be selected for the US/Canadian release.

The book however, will not be sold separately and will only be available as part of the 2 DVD set. 'Inside Pink Floyd, will also be available in audio CD format as well as DVD. The CD's will be mid-priced (�8.99) and will released on the same day as the DVD's. As per the DVD's, each CD runs from the year 1967 - 1974 and 1975 - 1996 and is a critical review of the band between those periods. The CD versions are literally the audio from the DVD's.

This is the first comprehensive independent critical review of the work of Pink Floyd from 1967-1996 in concert, on record and on film. Using the actual words of the band and critics, the DVD is a definitive critical review of the music of Pink Floyd from Piper at the Gates of Dawn to Pulse.

DVD/CD 1 1967 - 1974 Features:

• Rare unreleased film of concert performances from sound and television archives around the world including soundtracks of rare television performances of material from Ummagumma, and a rare performance of Atom Heart Mother performed by the band alone previously unavailable on DVD.

• Reviews from both live and studio performances from every Floyd album from Piper at The Gates Of Dawn through to Dark Side Of The Moon.

• Also featured are extracts and reviews from the films More, Obscured by Clouds and Pink Floyd at Pompeii.

Product Details:
Inside Pink Floyd 1967 -1974 DVD/CD
Catalogue No: CD - RAG1572 DVD - RAG1576 (PAL) DVD - RAG1577 (NTSC)
Label: Ragnarock Ltd

DVD/CD 2 1975 - 1996 Features:

• Critical reviews from both live and studio performances of material from every Floyd album from 1975-1996 including The Wall, The Final Cut, A Momentary Lapse of Reason... and more.

• Also featured are extracts and reviews from the films The Wall, Delicate Sound of Thunder and Pulse.

Product Details
Inside Pink Floyd 1975-1996 DVD/CD
Catalogue No: CD - RAG1573 DVD - RAG1578 (PAL) DVD - RAG1579 (NTSC)
Label: Ragnarock Ltd.

The book however will no longer be published by Reynolds & Hearn (who are issuing a different book. See the next issue of REG), but will be released and published by Genesis Publications, a specialist company, who produced the wonderful Psychedelic Renegades book, which featured Mick Rock's archive of Syd Barrett pictures. They will be giving Vernon and Richard's book the same quality treatment, producing a deluxe full-color hard bound edition. This will be a definite change from the previous Fitch authored soft bound cover books. "Pink Floyd-The Wall - An Examination of Rock's Conceptual Masterpiece" is an in-depth look behind Pink Floyd's The Wall. Released in 1979, The Wall is the best selling double album of all time. In 1980 and 1981, The Wall was performed live in an elaborate stage presentation, and in 1982, the groundbreaking Alan Parker film, Pink Floyd-The Wall, was released to critical acclaim worldwide. No other rock album has successfully been translated to record, concert, and film. The narrative of The Wall is the creation of Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who based the story on incidents from his life and his years of experience in the music business to create a fascinating story about a fictitious rock star named Pink.

The book examines the various aspects of Roger Waters masterwork in every detail, including its origins, the studio recording sessions, the staging of the live performances, the shooting of the film, and The Wall Live In Berlin, the final performance of The Wall to date."

It will include hundreds of rare and never-before-seen pictures, including pre-production drawings, pictures taken during rehearsals, backstage photos, rare posters, live performance shots, concert tickets, passes, media ads, show souvenirs, movie production photos, film cels, movie promos, production photos from the Berlin show, and more.

The book promises to be the most in-depth study ever published about a single piece of music.

The 1968 film "The Committee" is finally getting an official release on DVD. The film has long had mythical status, the soundtrack having only been available as a bootleg with a heavily edited audio recording being all that most people have experienced. These bootleg recordings showcase Pink Floyd's soundtrack specially composed and recorded for the film.

Directed by Robert Lloyd, and produced by Max Steuer, the original film stars Pauline Munro, Jimmy Gardner, and the infamous Arthur Brown. The soundtrack for the film The Committee is arguably the most obscure music ever associated with Pink Floyd. Not only has this film heretofore never been officially released, but the music being only available on bootleg and taken straight from the film, was never recorded in a 'pure' form, and was complete with dialogue.

The Committee DVD will be released in Region 2 (Europe) on July 26th 2004. As yet, there is no information on its release in other regions.

The film being only 58 minutes long has a plot which is pretty straightforward, and is primarily an exploration of philosophical ideas which may also justify the plot's simplicity.

Briefly, a hitchhiking draughtsman (the 'central character') accepts a lift from a Mercedes-driver. Perceiving the driver to be entirely vacuous - 'not really alive at all' - the hitchhiker seizes the opportunity, when the driver is looking under the hood of the car, and uses the hood to behead him. After due reflection and contemplation, he sews the head back on, at which point the driver, slightly dazed, drives off.

Back at work, the draughtsman receives a summons to a mysterious Committee, the function of which is to meditate with regard to the problems of the world. The draughtsman takes a night time stroll through the grounds of the institution, and it is at this point that philosophy - the raison d'�tre of the film - takes center stage. Issues discussed include alienation; the assumption that all faceless committees must be hostile; and the responsibility we have to our own future self.

The film ends with a wiser and more enlightened central character, presumably able to profit from his encounter with the Committee. The soundtrack, recorded in May 1968, comprises some of the earliest music with which David Gilmour is associated. Despite this, the music is among the most 'intellectual' that Pink Floyd have produced. No doubt prompt-ed by the film's overtly philosophical subject matter.

There are no actual 'songs' on the record, and most tracks are termed 'incidental music,' although there are two very melodious instrumentals. The total length of the music and unaccompanied dialogue is just over 17 minutes, and comprises of nine pieces of varying length, including an early version of Careful With That Axe Eugene.

Although the music to The Committee provides rare insights into the intellectual side of Pink Floyd, the film is unlikely to be considered a masterpiece. But it can certainly be said that "The Committee" is a very unusual and original film.

At the end of September 2003, a new Italian film, "Buongiorno, Notte" ("Good Morning, Night"), was released. Directed by Marco Bellocchio, the film has a soundtrack which almost exclusively consists of the Pink Floyd album "Wish You Were Here". In an interview, the film's director said that he used their music "to symbolize the desperation and rebellion of those years". The film has won a few awards in various festivals, and was released on DVD in Italy and Region 2 (Europe) on Wednesday, February 11th. The DVD, which features Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS soundtracks, also includes a look behind the scenes, trailers, interviews and a photo gallery. As yet, there is no sign of an international release.

The Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, NY, reported that a new musical is currently being rehearsed for performance at the Endicott Performing Arts Center. Last year, their artistic director Patrick Foti took on Pink Floyd's classic album The Wall and turned it into a stage production. This year, it's 'Dark Side of the Moon.' "Well, I guess to start with, I constantly listened to it back in the '70s with everybody else � and I did a lot of research," Foti said. "I feel it really warrants some kind of recognition from the arts community. The story is how everyday life can drive you crazy if you let it. It's pretty much what all the songs are about, and that's how the show is tied together". "The central character is the central focus. I'm hoping the audience relates to him and gets the message that way. You're going to get hit from every angle as far as the visuals, vocals, the band. People are going to walk out of here just overwhelmed with feeling and emotion..." Foti said, "hopefully with a better feeling about life itself, or a better awareness."

After news that there was a stage production of the Pink Floyd album 'The Dark Side of the Moon in April, comes news that a full stage performance of Pink Floyd The Wall was performed at the Ridglea Theater, near Dallas Texas on May 15th and 16th by Dallas-based tribute band 'Bricks In The Wall', and was supported by Box Theater actors, the Ridglea's resident stage company. The combined team mounted the live production of the album complete, with a building up and tearing down of the wall.

"We created it to be exactly like their original concerts for The Wall," says guitarist/singer Travis Satterfield. "The only difference being, instead of one of us acting out the scenes, like Roger Waters did, actors did that so we could focus on the music." Michael Johnson, the Box's executive director, said the show combined elements of the movie and tour with the Box's own ideas. "What we're doing is staging a visual accompaniment to what the band is doing," he says. "Some of the material is taken from the concert, but a lot of what's in the movie would be hard to duplicate, so we're trying to come up with some original things to do."

Satterfield says he was less concerned about replicating the film and more concerned with making people understand Waters' epic story of isolation and self-destruction. "The movie was so misunderstood," he says. "This'll give ya an idea of what Roger was trying to convey with the movie."

One fan who attended said; "At the beginning of the show, a guy came out and announced to the audience that fireworks will not be allowed in the stadium. The audience were told not to use flash photography because it would blind and distract the actors. Therefore, any pictures were taken without a flash. Young Lust was great with a groupie acting out the hotel scene with Pink." It was broken up into four segments. The first segment was where they built the wall. The second segment the band performs behind the wall. The third segment the wall comes down. Afterwards, the band performed a special encore of 'Wish you Were Here' and 'Have A Cigar'.

Another fan said, "The show was a mix of the live show from 1980/81 and the movie. The band and the building of the wall were very similar to the live shows. If you have seen a video boot or listened to the live CD, they followed that very closely. They even had the lead guitar player play from the top of the wall during "Comfortably Numb".

Actors accompanied most songs acting out scenes from the movie. One of the things I thought was cool about this was that each main character (Mother, Teacher, Wife) put the first bricks in the wall." Roger Waters had confirmed a while back that he had been working on a screenplay of the film 'The Wall, for on-stage production complete with laughs! And judging by the reaction of people who saw this production, he may well be onto a winner. The Ridglea Theater is located about 6 miles West of Downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Tickets were $15 available on the door, or in advance. 'Bricks In The Wall' (http://www.bricksinthewall.com/) also took the show, minus the Box Theater actors, to the Tivoli Theater, Ardmore, Oklahoma on May 22nd.

It's now been 30 years since the piece debuted, and the idea of avant-garde ballet is nowhere near as shocking. The question then becomes, is this piece still relevant? The answer is "yes" if Petit has anything to say about it.

At a press conference held late in January, he said: "I arrived here on Monday and went straight from the airport to the rehearsal space. Looking at the corps de ballet of over 50 dancers practicing, I, as a member of the audience, got goose bumps just looking at the level of their concentration and their flawless movements. All at once, it reminded me of what a great piece Pink Floyd Ballet is."

As the creator of the piece, one would think Petit would naturally be attached to it. But Petit, a notorious perfectionist, admitted he has no difficulty dismissing those pieces he feels are not worth keeping in his repertory. The fact that Pink Floyd Ballet is one of few pieces that Petit keeps directing time and time again is testament to its relevancy. "When I was approached to do Pink Floyd Ballet in Japan again, I thought, maybe it might seem too dated," he said. "But this piece hasn't dated a bit. I'll tell you why: I've created lots and lots and lots of ballet pieces and the ones that have still survived to this day are the ones with the best music."

Petit was introduced to Pink Floyd by his young daughter, who begged him to listen to one of their albums. He was so impressed that he flew all the way to London to negotiate with the band to create a ballet production. The initial result was like a double-billing of a ballet performance and a rock concert, as an actual band played behind the dancers. Now, unfortunately, the music � which includes famous tunes like "Money" and "Hey You" as well as lesser-known songs � is played off a tape.

The company who are participating in the Roland Petit Pink Floyd Ballet, the Asami Maki Ballet Tokyo, have created a short video of the 1997 Pink Floyd Ballet which was performed in Marseille, France. It can be downloaded from their website.

The Pink Floyd Ballet was performed on February 7th at 3pm and 7pm, and on February 8th at 1pm at the NHK Hall, near JR Harajuku Station in Tokyo.

I'm not really a Pink Floyd fan Per se, although I enjoy several of their songs. My interests lie in a couple other areas, including telephones and telephone networks. Although I've wanted to do this for awhile, I've just recently done some audio signal analysis on the phone call at the end of "Young Lust ". If you recall, "Hello this is the United States calling.... " etc etc. The operator can be heard dialing, except they aren't normal touchtones, but what are called MF or multifrequency tones. These tones control the phone system and basically tell the phone system where to connect the call.

Suffice to say, the operator pressed, KeyPulse1 + 044 (1) 831 + ST. KeyPulse1 is basically a signal that says... "We're going to start sending a phone number, get ready" ...and ST is basically a signal that says... "The last digit was sent, complete the call."

The operator pressed a total of 9 digits, including the (1). I put the 1 in parentheses because its duration is very short � roughly half of all the other tones. This might have been a keying mistake on part of the operator!! If so, it could have caused the call to be made to the wrong phone number, and in fact not to Mrs. Floyd, and so the reason for the man answering and the reason for the phone being hung up... especially if it was a call in the middle of the night in another time zone. However, this could also have been a result of a smart audio engineer cutting the tape so that the actual phone number couldn't be determined. I'm pretty sure, after looking at it, that there wasn't a mistake in dialing.

Although this is just a guess, I'm pretty sure that whoever put this together either A) they found the string of digits too long for the song, or B) was smart enough to know that the tones represented the phone number, and that someone could reverse engineer and get the real phone number. I'm doubting 'B' because at this point, the technology would simply not be available to the general public to give them the ability to decode those numbers. These tones are not standard touch-tones, so simply recording them and playing them back wouldn't do the trick to call it.

The following is the full analysis I did in my research:

Pink Floyd - Young Lust.mp3
Filesize 3390553 Song Length 3:31.748
CRC-32 Checksum 4625E555

Sound Forge version 6.0
(All times are in minutes, seconds, or fractions of a second. These times are
estimates and although they are close, they aren't 100%.)

2:47.067 1st overseas ring is heard. 6 total rings
2:54.366 2400hz duration .028 seconds

Hello? Will you accept a collect call....blah blah

3:03.421 2600hz duration .019 seconds pause .125 seconds
3:03.565 2600hz duration .018 seconds

Is this your residence? Wonder why he hung up? etc etc

3:13.101 480hz tone starts

This tone starts at 3:13.101 and runs for 18.647 seconds until 3:31.748.
This time corresponds exactly to the start of the mangled '1' MF digit.

3.13.881 MF toning starts
Entire MF string is 'KP1' 0 4 4 1 8 3 1 'ST'

KP1 duration .102 pause until next digit .015
0 duration .068 pause .050
4 duration .066 pause .052
4 duration .067 pause .051
1 duration ***.039*** pause .000

I call this the mangled '1' MF digit, because it appears the audio engineer working on this song must have cut and respliced the middle of the MF tones. The duration is very short 0.039 vs. 0.67 and there is no corresponding pause after the digit. It is instead jammed right up to next '8' digit. If you look at the wave you can tell it is a very ugly splice point.

8 duration .066 pause .051
3 duration .067 pause ***.110***
1 duration .067 pause .051
ST duration .100

3:14.967 Connection click can be heard
3:15.651 Overseas ring starts, 4 total rings
3:19.746 Another click

3:19.897 2400hz duration .028 seconds

Hello? This is the US calling are we reaching?

3:24.685 2600hz duration .025 seconds

See? He keeps hanging up.

3:29.980 Start dialtone until end of song

Some random observations:
2400 and 2600hz tone durations are in the range of .018 to .028 seconds.

The MF tone durations are from .066 to .068 seconds. I'm guessing my measurements probably contribute to the range and the actual tones seem to have been very accurately produced.

Notice both KP1 and ST are the "starting" and "ending" MF tones and are longer than the standard digits at about .1 seconds. The pause after the '3' MF digit is about twice as long as the others at .11 seconds, instead of the standard .050-.051 second pauses. 44 is the UK country code.

After the KP1 + 044, the 480hz tone stops. It wasn't very prominent in the pause after the KP1 tone, but was still picked up in the spectrum analysis. It is very noticable in the pauses after the 0, 4, and the second 4.

Preface:
The story goes like this; Roger Waters had asked Stanley Kubrick if he could use the "breathing sounds" from his "2001: A Space Odyssey" film on the album Amused To Death. Mr. Kubrick refused. So Waters dubbed in his own breathing effects, and recorded a nasty backwards message after the song "What God Wants Pt. 1" and in the beginning of the song "Perfect Sense Pt. 1" for Kubrick's benefit. The following is the transcribed backwards message as it would sound played in the normal direction.

The Message:
Julia, (pause) however (pause - 2nd thunder in normal direction), in the light and visions of the issues of Stanley, (pause) we have changed our minds. (pause) We have decided to include a backward message. (pause - 1st thunder in normal direction) Stanley, (pause) for you, (pause) and for all the other book (short pause) partners.

Description:
In the normal direction, the above reversed message ends just before the lyric "The monkey sat on a pile of stone" begins. For whatever it's worth, the last faint utterance just before the lyrics begin is the word "Julia" in reverse. In the phrase "we have decided to include a backwards message," it sounds like a woman's voice is mixed in for the words "to include." Her voice can be heard (as gibberish, of course) in the normal direction. Also, the word book could be gook, as suggested by other transcriptions of this message. It rhymes with nuke, but after careful listening it sounds more like it begins with a B sound. And book makes more sense.

The End
At this point there is a descending-pitched rant that appears at the beginning of the "Perfect Sense Pt. 1". In the normal direction it is, or course, a rising-pitched rant. In either direction, at both normal and slowed playback speeds, it was not clear to this transcriber what was being shouted. In fact, in the normal direction, it sounds vaguely more intelligible as "It's just what I said (?) (? alright! ?). Perhaps it is an attempt at shouting in reverse in an attempt to create a reversed-sounding message.

Longtime Pink Floyd cover artist and collaborator Storm Thorgerson who was instrumental in the staging of Interstellar, the major Pink Floyd exhibition in Paris, has updated his website with his thoughts on the show which ran from October 2003 through January 2004. "We helped design the exhibition in Paris at the Museum of Music about Pink Floyd - a 3D rather than 2D event and therefore quite a daunting task. We decided that since the Pink Floyd story is a lengthy convoluted affair that a simple chronological layout i.e. album by album was preferable.

This at first sounds pedestrian so we spiced it up a little by making a time tunnel - one bisects the exhibition space via a long winding corridor which spells out the chronology by graphics and by bands of cryptic sound bytes from all the albums from 1967s (Saucerful of Secrets) to 1994 (Division Bell). There are windows down the corridor through which one glimpses the exhibition spaces on either side so that one sees the albums in reverse. You emerge from this dimly lit time tunnel into the Piper room at the start of the exhibition proper." On Storm's website are both of the designs that were specially created for promoting the exhibition, one of which is called Balls, the other entitled Bridge, was shot near Madrid, Spain.

Unfortunately, on the eve of the exhibition Mr. Thorgerson sadly suffered a stroke and had to be hospitalized. There is no word on his condition.

The exhibition was on display at Cite del la Musique, Parc le Villette, Paris until January 25th before moving to Germany. Interstellar has now closed, but EMKA, the Pink Floyd management, are thinking about touring it elsewhere in the world.

Sales figures for Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon 30th Anniversary SACD were recently announced during this year's Home Entertainment 2004 show. Sony revealed that the Rolling Stones Remastered Series of albums has sold over 2.2 million copies, and that Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon has now reached 800,000.

The SACD Project officials also reported that there are now over 2,000 Super Audio CDs on the market worldwide (half of which are Surround Sound) and that there are an additional 100 SACDs being released each month.

No information was given on the number of SACD players sold. And although many of the discs may have gone to collectors irrespective of equipment to play them on, it would have been statistically telling, to know how many players there are in use.

There were also announcements of planned future releases - however, despite the success of Dark Side, nothing was mentioned about upcoming re-releases from Roger Waters or Pink Floyd.

"We don't look or sound like everything else," adds his multi-instrumental co-founder Babydaddy, "and we have no desire to." Now is the "perfect moment" for Scissor Sisters' funky and often salacious brand of rock, Shears said. "This is the moment when the freaks can bust the door down and change the way people think about music." "If we can open up doors for fans to buy the records of the people we love, we'll have an army of listeners to feel in kinship with," says Paddy Boom. They have received "rather sinister" threats from Pink Floyd fans unimpressed by the success of their version of the Floyd hit. "It was pretty nasty stuff," says Shears, "but Pink Floyd Publishing told us the band was very pleased with our version. Roger Waters wants a picture disc." "I bet you anything he owns a three-piece white polyester suit and is boogying down to Comfortably Numb, thinking 'wow - I never thought it could sound like this,'" adds female singer Matronic.

CA IRA NEWS
NEW ALBUM AND TOUR
AND TWO NEW SONGS

As always there have been many rumors floating about the Internet in regard to Roger's opera Ca Ira, and Roger's new album and when he might tour. Some websites have even stated that Ca Ira is to be premiered and performed in early August. So I thought I had better go direct to Roger's manager Mark Fenwick, to find out the truth. He kindly replied so our club members and other Waters fans would have the accurate and credible information our club is known for.