New Arena/Hemitage
From: (aleksey_ft@beep.ru) Andy - 15 year old Roger fan
ÉTwo weeks later I couldn't recover from the feeling, feeling of depression or
from realization of that I had been there, where I wanted to be, on the concert
of concerts.
ÉIn November 2001 I have been to Yes concert and saw Roger Waters show
advertisement. I immediately bought the ticket. I realized that I had been
waiting for that for all my life. Later I learned the band line-up and was really
pleased to know that I will see such great musicians like Snowy White, Graham
Broad and, of course, creative genius Ð Roger Waters. Also I was interested to
see Roger's son Harry. But I was disappointed that Doyle Bramhall II, Jon Carin
and Susanna Melvoin were replaced by other musicians (Chester Kamen, Harry
Waters(that's OK) and Carol Kenyan).
The week before the concert I watched the Portland video (I laughed Ð guitarists
were always turning the knobs on their guitars Ð that was a large problem for
audio producers :-) and listened to all Pink Floyd and Roger recordings.
There was a large poster near my house. When Russians are in desperation they say
"Once there will be a party on our street". This is how I called that
advertisement.
The concert was delayed for an hour. I came to the New Arena at 18:00. The
concert started at 20:15. I was really shocked with the amount and age variety of
people, who came to the show. The ticket prices were about Ð $20-120. I was
standing in the large crowd just near the enter door.
At last the door was opened and we ran like mad to get more close to the stage. I
reached the first "barricade" and had a really good view. No one stood in front
of me. I could see every detail on the stage. The time was 19:00. I had an hour
to have a look at the decoration. Just above the stage there was a large screen,
where I saw a pink pig with a writing "In The Flesh". There were lots of
spotlights and over things. The musical instruments were the following: drum set
Ð DW, guitars Ð Fender (on 2000 tour Snowy played Les Paul guitar and I wanted
to compare the live sound of Fender and Les Paul on the concert, but Snowy, as
Chester, also played Fender guitar on this tour), keyboards Ð Kurzweil (once I
had a chance to play on this keyboard Ð its sound is great).
There was a large sound mixer in the front of the arena. Someone told me that
there are small TVs to control the screen animation. A person who controls this
has a thick notebook to check the scenarioÉheheheÉ I think he should have learnt
it.
Then some technicians came to the stage to tune the instruments. Someone shouted
to the guitar technician: "Play something". Later we heard a woman's voice:
"Welcome to the Roger Waters show, the show will begin in 15 minutes". 15 minutes
later the remark was repeatedÉ (audience laughter).
And finallyÉthe light grows dim and I see dark silhouettes of some musiciansÉ
Then dark Roger's silhouette came to the stageÉ I was thrilled and was thinking:
"This is the best moment in my life, in several seconds I will see Roger in the
fleshÉÉÉ".
"ÉEin, zwei, drei, É(I couldn't understand the fourth word, I wonder how did
people in Germany reacted to these words)" ÉAnd the show started!!! ÉI heard the
first sounds of "In The Flesh" and I couldn't believe it. It was like a dreamÉ
I crossed my arms the way Roger did, then I noticed that Katie Kissoon was
looking at me. I waved my hand to her and continued starring at Roger.
After singing "In The Flesh" Roger came closer to us and was looking for his
"sacrifice." I tried to catch his attention with a lighter, but he didn't notice
me. Then he chose someone and shouted: "You, yes you, stand still laddieÉ (or
something like that)". Later we heard "The Happiest Days of Our Lives" and
"Another Brick In The Wall, Part II".
"We don't need NO educationÉ We don't need NO thought control" ÉOnce I had
written these words in my school diaryÉ teachers didn't understand me. Of course!
They are just hammers who want to make meat from us, people with the same
thoughts and fates.
Then we heard "Mother" and I noticed Roger's sarcastic face expression: "Mother,
should I trust the government?". Everyone was singing these songs. "The Wall"
helped lots of people who had been in depression. They remember these songs from
childhood.
"Brezhnev took AfghanistanÉ." Yes, I remember these times took place in Russia.
There were lots of crosses on the screen, reminding us about war days.
Later came the song "Pigs on the Wing, Part 1". This simple song about love was
originally dedicated to Roger's wife Caroline. One friend told me that this song
was sang by war pilots in 1977 before their flights. Pigs on the wingÉhehehe. I
wish Roger knew where and for what his songs are used.
If you didn't care what happened to me
"Dogs"É I hear someone's voice: "Oh, this song is for twenty minutesÉ". I was
waiting for the wonderful guitar solo played in major third, I suppose. Snowy was
great. Chester's playing was OK, but still I could hear some mistakesÉ Later
Roger, Snowy, Chester and Andy (bass, guitar, vocals) sat to the table and
started drinking, eating and playing cardsÉ heheheÉ I know that twenty years ago
they even slept on the stage. Keyboardists (Andy and Harry) and drummer (Graham)
were playing and probably waiting for others. Girls were just sitting, drinking
and relaxingÉ What a horrible moment for all us. I stood in such a strange
situation. I couldn't even make a turn, couldn't move.
Then came "Set the controls"É We saw some photos taken from the "Arnold Layne"
video. It was shown on TV the day before the concert. People were surprised to
see Roger 35 years ago. My friend from London told me that on this song Nick
Mason sat to the drums and started playing. HmÉ why didn't Roger invite Rick to
play "Shine on É" and Dave to play "Comfortably Numb"? Just kidding, Roger :-).
"Welcome to the machine." Gerald Scarff's animation for this song was shown on
the screen. The beginning was a little bit magical.
"Shine onÉ" This song dedicated to Syd Barrett was fantastic. I heard it when I
was six. I still remember the wordsÉ They made me cryÉ
"Wish you were hereÉ" The depression became deeper. These magical lyrics can
force a man to hang oneself.
Then the band continued to play "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." After the first set
Roger and his musicians came backstage. I was shocked. I didn't know what to
think about. I was just standing with an "empty" face expression.
Some people went to drink beer. How could they?!
20 minutes later I heard the heart beatÉ "Breath, breath in the airÉ" I couldn't
believe my eyes and ears. I was just tired and couldn't concentrate. Sometimes I
heard someone shouting: "Radio Waves!", "Bravo, Sir Waters!" or "Roger, we love
you!"É
Later I heard clocks ringing and Roger's bass, imitating the ticking sound.
TIME!!! This song is my favorite. Graham's drum solo was great. "Ticking away the
moments that make up a dull day \ You fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand
wayÉ" I remember how three years ago I learned the lyrics by heart and how they
gave me the explanation of life itself. Roger noticed me!!! He noticed that I was
singing my favorite song!!! He was looking just right to me, while Chester was
singing!!! Maybe he was surprised with my age (15). I hope soÉ
Then we heard "Money". This music "hit" is very well-known and, of course, and
the audience was singing along with Roger.
After that I felt much better because I knew that Roger will sing some songs from
his solo albums. I was waiting for this part of the show, and I was most
interested in it. I saw the truck on the screen and thoughtÉ "Every Stranger's
Eyes." I took the lighter and waved my hand with it. Andy Fairweather Low played
the main guitar part. He was great!
"Can't you see, it all makes perfect senseÉ" These were the "star moments" for PP
Arnold. Her singing was great. There was a large oil rig on the screen. It was
"exploded" by Roger. The sea of the flame made a wonderful scene. Some days
before I found the advertisement of the Roger's show in St. Petersburg. There was
a cross, painted on the Kazansky Cathedral.
"Bravery of being out of range." Powerful drums, Roger's guitar and his strong
voiceÉ
"Miraculous they call it, babeÉ You ain't see nothing yetÉ" WellÉ I can't find
the right words. That's another depressing song. I had a feeling that Roger sang
it just for me. Thank you, Roger!
Amused to deathÉ Brain DamageÉ EclipseÉ Later Roger thanked us and named his
bandÉ
"Comfortably Numb" was a kind of relaxing for all us. I felt that everyone was
happy and wanted to share this happiness with others. This is how music unites
people.
Then I heard Roger's new song "about love and freedom" Ð Flickering Flame. I know
that on one of the shows every fan was making a "flickering flame" with a lighter
and it made a wonderful, magical scene.
"Thank you for comingÉ", - said Roger. He made a huge smile Ð he liked the
audience. Many sad thoughts were coming to my mind: "That's all, the show is
overÉ that was the best moment in my lifeÉ I hope I'll see it againÉ".
I immediately ran to the back exitÉ but Mr. Pink Floyd with his band had already
driven to the airport to get to the plane for Moscow, and didn't leave some
autographs and impressions of his own showÉ
I think everyone will remember this concert as something personal. Roger Waters
lyrics are considered to be one of the best in contemporary rock music. They are
emotional, social and along with all these they are accessible. Roger sang about
the war and fascism, desperation and solitude, madness and indifference Ð about
all these familiar things; gorilla, watching the TV of contemporary lifeÉ I just
wanted to say: "Yes, Rog, all in all, we all will sell ourselves and dieÉ - Cold
Comfort For Change!"
"Cold Comfort for Change"
My initial feelings after the show were: Well... that was the greatest show I've
ever seen. The show was on 27th May, but I bought the ticket in November. As I
supposed, the concert hall was about 80% filled. Peoples ages varied a lot (I'm
15). I was standing just in front of the stage. I saw all the musicians very
well. Graham Broad, the drummer, played very powerful and professional. Snowy
White played Les Paul guitar very beautiful. The sound was amazing. I also liked
Harry Waters. I didn't understand why Doyle Bramhall II and John Carin had
casually left the band. As for the women, their singing was OK. I was surprised,
that all the equipment was delivered by the crew. It was also very sad that Roger
didn't give autographs to his fans. They were waiting for him very long after the
show.
And I didn't care for you
We would zigzag our way through the boredom and pain
Occasionally glancing up through the rain
Wondering which of the buggers to blame
And watching for pigs on the wing
The place where Roger played was the biggest hall in the city. It's called Ice Palace and it was built only recently, about 2 or 3 years ago. Frankly speakin' it's not a concert hall but an arena for sporting occasions.
Me and my two friends had "standing" places - no seats. We stood in the middle of the crowd and I could see Roger and his band quite well. As for me, the best singers were his women backgroud-vocalists! They were really great! And of course, Roger was great too. He played his guitars (bass & acoustical), sang, acted and so on.
But the best thing in the show was the Sound and the Lighting and of course the other visual effects - pictures projected onto the sceen etc. I could hardly believe my eyes.
Now I should place here the songlist he played in St. Petersburg!
In the flesh
The happiest days in our lives
Another brick in the Wall (2)
Mother
Get your filthy hands off my desert
Southhampton dock
Pigs on the wing (1)
Dogs
Welcome to the machine
Set the controls for the heart of the Sun
Shine on you Crazy Diamond (1-5)
Wish you were here
Shine on... (6-8)
Then came a little break
Breathe
Time
Money
Every Stranger's eyes
Perfect sense (1, 2)
The bravery of being out of range
It's a miracle
Amused to death
Brain damage
Eclipse
Comfortably numb
The flickering flame ('about Love & Freedom" as told Roger)
One thing that dissapointed me was that Roger didn't play my favoruite song "Each small Candle."
The crowd was very happy and enthusiatic. Everyone sung and clapped hands etc. Though during "Every Stranger's eyes" & "The Flickering Flame" everyone was respectfully quiet and I could listen without disturbance. But when "Another brick..." began, the crowd roared so loud I could hardly hear Roger singing.
It's a pity that very few people paid much attention to the projected
pictures, and only looked at Roger and the band. I think that's all I have to say about
the show for now.
Good luck,
Vera.
