2006 Europe
Tour Reviews

Tony Joe White set was just ending when we arrived on the grass, and it was time for Laurent Voulzy (a french singer) to perform on stage. It was quite funny to see Laurent Voulzy opening for Roger Waters because they don't play the same kind of music.

Voulzy played a kind of his greatest hits set as well as some tracks from his new record. Although many of his songs are very famous here in France, the audience was not very enthusiastic. People were not there to hear "Belle île en mer" but to enjoy Pink Floyd classics. Laurent Voulzy has a beautiful voice, thanks to audio effects, but Voulzy's band is very good although the music is very soft, ass Voulzy sings "C'est long, c'est lent" (it's long and slow). But he was appreciative of the courageous audience standing in the rain throughout the show. There was much thunder and lightening over Magny-Cours tonight! And we all hoped the weather would get better before the next act. After his set Voulzy was booed when he announced the next artist as Roger Mason!!!

At 9.30 PM, Roger Waters arrived on stage with his musicians. He wore a black jacket, his long silver hair combed down to his shoulders. The stage was very big. We could see two drum kits, but Nick Mason was not yet on stage. Roger Waters' musicians are mostly the same the ones he's previously toured with, and we could see Snowy White playing lead guitar. Eins, zwei, drei... and then the first notes of "In the Flesh" from 'The Wall' hit us with a terrific force. The audience was in heaven. We knew that tonight, we were gonna see a great show. As the band played "In the Flesh," and then "Mother," Roger Waters voice was clean and strong. He seemed very happy to be there.

The band played tracks from'The Final Cut,' 'Animals,' Wish You Were Here' (a tribute paid to Syd Barrett, who passed away only a few days ago), and 'Amused to Death.' The fabulous "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" was played in a more modern style.

I personally had the chance to hear the new song "Leaving Beirut" for the first time. The song is about Roger Waters hitchhiking journey to Lebanon in the 70's and the family who welcomed him and took him in. The song is also a condemnation against the war policies of G.W. Bush. Visually, the story of the song was told in the form of comic book graphics projected upon the huge screen central screen.

The quadraphonic sound, usually heard during Pink Floyd shows, was perfect. During "Sheep," we felt like we were in the center of a flock of sheep. The songs were executed to quasi-perfection. I had only one regret, in that the first guitar solo of "Shine on you crazy diamond" seemed to have disappeared.

Visually, Waters was very generous. There was a giant screen above the stage where we could see different video's or graphics and images which connected with the music. There were three other giant screens positioned around the stage so those further back in the crowed could view the musicians in action up close. The picture quality was very professional and helpful. Without screens, many couldn't have seen the musicians playing because we were so far from the stage. The audience at this massive venue was divided into six area's (some on the grass, some on benches...) but everybody was able to hear the same quality sound thanks to disposition and number of the speakers. During one song, we watched a huge inflatable spaceman floating above the audience and we were able to enjoy a great light show throughout the concert.

Then, Roger Waters announced a ten minute break.Fifteen minutes later, we saw the famous round screen above the stage and we heard the band play the first notes of "Dark Side of the Moon" in quadriphonic sound. The album was played in its entirety. And this time, Nick Mason was behind the second set of drums. But he seemed to have a bit of difficulty at beginning, and the first drummer seemed to play alone. Overall, songs were played very well. For me, the height of the second half of the show was probably "The Great Gig in the Sky" with a fantastic performance by Carol Kenyon, one of the background singers.

"Dark Side of the Moon" was played perfectly, but the echo effect on the singer's voice during "Us and them" was missed, due to technical problems.The band left the stage with a huge ovation from the crowd.

They came back after what seemed only a few seconds later (I guess the timing Roger's set was tight) with a marvellous encore: "The Happiest Days of Our Lives," "Another Brick In the Wall Part.2," "Vera", "Bring the Boys Back Home" and the beautiful "Comfortably Numb" with very impressive pyrotechnical display.

Tonight, we have experienced a very great Roger Waters show, in concert with his friend Nick Mason. It was only half of Pink Floyd, but what a half! In my heart, Roger Waters and Nick Mason are, and will ever stay, the bassist and drummer of Pink Floyd, but this show was not far from the myth and legend, in as much as the quality was definitely there.

Thank you Mister Roger Mason (Voulzy's joke).

Before the Hyde Park show, we were watching the world cup defeat etc. (we don't talk about that), and we had all had a bit too much to drink, or rather my friend had. So when we got to the Hyde Park show, some silly young chap on the gate decided not to let him in, although he wasn't actually all that drunk. Plus hey, we are all in our forties so it's not as if we could of been looked at as louts or suchlike. Anyway, to cut a long story short, someone had to stay outside and look after him, as that's what friends do (even though I'd been waiting years for Roger to tour again).

So I sat listening to the Hyde Park show in the background while my friend sobered up. Funny thing was, just at the end he started moving about, but sod it, as soon as I heard Comfortably Numb playing in the background, I couldn't take any more, so I got him in a taxi and came back to Reading.

Now, all my friends know that I am one serious Roger Waters fan, not Floyd so much, in fact, not at all with Mr. Gilmour up front, they seem quite talentless. No, that's the wrong word, they just don't seem to have any life or imagination, no magic, no special sounds or effects, and well, even the lyrics mean nothing. So, for Pink Floyd, maybe it's just as well he has called it a day. Please don't get me wrong, Pink Floyd in my eyes were, and always will be the best. But, it just seems that without Roger they are more like Thin Lizzy without Phil, or Queen without Freddie.

The last Floyd album, The Division Bell was a perfect example, there was only one decent song on it (Keep Talking), but the rest just depressing and lifeless. (Most of it I think were lyrics aimed at slagging down Roger) My god even with sounds/effects, as such, all David could think of was the sound of the silly bell. The Pink Floyd "sound" seems gone, even in Momentary Lapse of Reason, the only sound effects are of a silly little row boat. No, David must of kicked himself when he chucked on his headphones and listened to Roger's masterpieces, "Radio K.A.O.S" and "Amused To Death" now "that" is Floyd. If there were a survey done on the streets, I bet 90% of people would say that Roger is the main man for Floyd, not David, and I think the music shows that. The thing with Roger is that on his "In the Flesh" tour and this new "Dark Side" tour he doesn't depend on special stage and laser light effects, he knows that people go to see and listen to him, not concentrate on all the effects/lighting etc.

With the Division Bell tour it was more like going to watch a Christmas light show, it was good but hey, I think they went out on tour and forgot its the music, not the lighting that people are going to show for.

Roger is a perfectionist from what I've seen and heard, he ensures that everything, the music sounds "exactly" how it should, and the stage show looks how it should and everything is on queue, and well, the man should win some award for it, and I don't mean that just cause I'm his fan. (lol)

Another perfect example is his new Ca Ira album. I've never before listened to Opera but got literally straight into this, so much meaning, depth and perfectly put together story. I went out and bought the limited edition of it (3 CD boxset) and now with seeing his interview you can see that just like everything else he's done, he's put all his heart and concentration into it. A truly fantastic album. I've also lent it to a few friends who listen to Opera and had fantastic feedback from it. I guess like all Opera's, it will take years to see if it's a success or not. (I'll wait)

Back to Dark side tour though, yes, after my friend mucking me up from seeing Roger at Hyde park, we decided to drive over to France to see him at Magny Cours. That was sooo interesting, not just to see him but also the crowd's reaction. When playing "Final cut" stuff, the crowd literally didn't understand it, it blew my brain. I ended up informing a crowd of fans beside us what the poppy fields on the big screens meant. I know that The Final Cut never used to be available in France, but I also couldn't find anyone who had even heard of "Amused to Death." Now that was sad.

A lot of times the crowd weren't even sure when to clap, at times it was really weird. Funny thing, I did a test... I started clapping when I thought it was the right time, and it was as if I sent out a signal cause then everyone else started clapping too. For example, when P.P Arnold finished her most fantastic and in-tune solo, I went crazy with cheers, so the crowd joined in. (she may even of noticed (?) ) I wonder if any of the band members on stage actually heard a bunch of people clapping, after which the rest joined in, if so, hey, that was us. lol It was mad, never known anything like it. There was us, 4 English men going crazy, shouting at the top of our lungs, knowing every word to every song, the people around us must have thought us a right bunch of freaks.

I love France. My Father lives down near Royan, so I visit there a lot, meeting a lot of French people, but wow, now I feel sorry for them, sorry for them because although they loved the music etc., they could never really understand the lyrics or their meaning. Plus hey, it must be hard to try to sing Rogers songs in French. Bless them.

Still though the whole concert was just fantastic, it really was! And yet again, seeing him was literally like listening to his albums, the man is so into having everything right and perfect and well, his lyrics and all the instruments were so in tune. Roger, you were fantastic, a "musician" through n through. One thing I will say though, is that you did look a bit run-down, not ill, but well, having given your all to your fans. Thank you.

I loved the new songs as well and look forward to his new album, but hey, with all that's going on in the world at the moment, I'm sure he's stuck for the right lyrics, and ones that wont get him in trouble... lol. In a way, I wish he would write a book with all his views, for sure I'd buy it. But hey, music I think is the most powerful speech in the world, so for sure, his thoughts get out, whatever they may be concerning.

That's it, you can now wake up, this review as it is, is now finished... lol. Sorry it's so long, but hey, I'm a huge, huge Roger Waters fan, so wanted to say sooo much. Funny, but, a lot of my friends think I've lived my life to his lyrics, finding a lot of meaning and guidance from stuff like The Wall, Animals, Amused to Death, and so many more, and I have in many ways. And for sure I can, hand on heart, say that not one week goes by without me listening to the Wall. I literally can't be without it, for long. Even my friends kid me about how much I listen to it, and take things from it for life. (lol) Pink Floyd, and especially Roger, have always been a huge part of my life. Ever since I was a small child going through my parents divorce, with my Dad listening to Meddle and Obscured By Clouds etc. a lot, so it grew on me, and well, now here I am. (lol)

I hope Roger keeps up his great music, he has so much talent, and lets face it, there's not many "real" musicians out there anymore, nor have there been during my whole life. So we need Roger to stick about.

Thank you for reading this. It was written with respect and best regards from your lifetime loyal fan, Andy Burford.