Photo sent by Yoshico Ogiso
From: Moo
What a nice day out for all who attended. You could've arrived extremely
early and had plenty to do in the complex to keep you entertained.
We got there in time to have a pint and buy a Polo T-shirt.
Nice touch having Jim Ladd welcoming our hero. It brought back fine memories
of "Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our live satellite
broadcast.."
It was quite a treat to see Rog' in such a small venue. For the first few songs we sat in someone else's empty seats four rows from the front. Kept them warm for the girls who showed up halfway through Mother to boot us into the outer reaches of the arena which, by virtue of it's size wasn't too many rows back.
As with the San Diego show, I soon arrived at the conclusion that the band as a whole were somewhat tighter than they were at Hershey and Burgettestown last year. Not only that, but Shine On You Crazy Diamond was so good with the fab' jamming in it's last half, that to repeat last year's action of "Now's a good time to point Percy at the porcelain." would have been unnecessarily depriving thy considered senses of a major highlight.
Jumping back a little, Dogs was as mesmerizing at it ever is, only this time there was no needle in the groove, or laser on the (poorly) remastered implement aiding the protrusion of Sting's rain forest buddy's lip (CD).
Anyway. Interval followed, trouble was, it carried on through the beloved Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun. Too many people were walking around at any time during the show, but to play it at a point where the audience are at their least attentive was a bit of a shame. Beginning the second half with Money would've been a better idea, because all those people who see it as a show highlight (along with ABitW2; otherwise known as those who hoot a lot and think Roger Waters is another way of saying 'affirmative' when talking to a bladder on a two-way radio) would've taken to their seats with a little more urgency.
The ATD set put the hairs on the back of my neck on end again. The Inclusion of 'Bravery..' was more than welcome. We left after Comfortably Numb because the lights came on, but I gather they came out and played Each Small Candle. Would've liked to have seen it again, but we were able to leave without getting clogged-in.
On the way out some chap was handing out Roger Waters guitar key rings.
Perhaps they were trying to make up for the price of the beer. Had they been
made of platinum, with the keys to an awaiting Lamborghini Diablo attached,
it may have done so.
In the meantime, we made it out to Palm Springs before our hotel room was
infested with sunspiders.
From: Cesar Cabrera
I was absolutely speechless!!!! I've been a fan of
Pink Floyd since the age of 11, 22 now.
I saw Pink Floyd in 94' at the Rose Bbowl, and thought that was the best concert I'd seen until I saw Roger.
Small venue yes, but well worth it! It was more intimate this way and the sound was incredible. The band was great, even if I would have prefered David doing the solos, but they sure made up for it.
I had an extra ticket. My sister went a long with me for the hell of it and came out a fan, admirer and a deep respect for Roger (which he so deeply deserves).
I was mezmorized at the songs, so elaborately chosen to get his point across. Crowd was very respectfull in the way that they were not rude or rowdy in a negative way. I'd say about 97% of the time the crowd was on it's feet like I was from the dark side of the moon, animals, and the wall to his solo albums.
A song from the Pros and Cons and Amused to Death; they were telling a story from the beginng, like he has always done thruogh his music. And to top it off, a little new tune to wrap it all up and end in a good note.
....The only other song that I would have loved to see perform was " Careful With That Ax Eugene", but I guess that will hopefully come later, when the time is right
....Roger if you
ever read this, know that you have my deepest
admiration and respect. You are a genius when it comes
to pouring your heart out to rest of the world. Thanks for
the good times and keep on making a difference.
From: Your Name
(This guy obviously is too afraid to get flamed to leave his real name and email)
A very good friend whom I hadn't seen in 20 years. My birthday. We are
both big P/F, R/W fans. Roger Waters on stage and some the best seats
in the house.
Could it get any better?
I saw 'The Wall' in 1980. I saw 'Pros and Cons' and 'Radio KAOS'. I was expecting BIG. Really big. Not just from a staging perspective either, I was literally in tears by the end of 'Radio KAOS'. Having sat through 'Floyd Lite' on their appropiately titled 'Momentary Lapse of Reason' show a few months prior to 'Radio KAOS', I was convinced that Roger was the heart and soul of a once great band and that when he left any substance left with him.
Maybe their arthritis was acting up.
'In the Flesh' on June 21 was one of the most lackluster, half hearted attempts at 'The Pink Floyd Review' I had ever seen. To begin with, the staging was so bad, it was hard to believe I wasn't watching some tribute band. Roger Water's elaborate shows are one of his many trademarks and that trademark had obviously expired. I would have enjoyed nothing compared to the annoying slide show that was constantly out of focus and rarely lined up correctly.
Kudos to the band, however. They made a valiant attempt at (and in some cases even better) duping the Floyd numbers. But one couldn't help but feel they were just playing by the numbers. The lack of David Gilmour was painfully obvious as well. I'm sorry, no aside to the Rog's guitarists but those solos (especially Dogs) just never had the touch that Dave provides. David may not be able to conjure up any lyrical substance, but the man can make a guitar weep, swoon and scream in a manner making anyone else playing his parts look like a sad imitation. Also, whasup with Snowy White? Several times he'd kick in to play a solo and it would be preceded by a loud SQWANK!!! (though to be kind, I understand equipment sniglets) Not to mention the fact that when he finally did play, he just sounded like he was bored. The best performances of the Floyd stuff were 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' and 'Welcome to the Machine'.
The show really started getting good when they performed Roger's solo work. Only then did they stop trying to imitate a studio recording and get interesting. It was nice to hear 'Amused to Death' selections performed live and I couldn't help thinking how nice it would have been to just hear the entirety. The accompaning vocalists were phenomonal (why do I have to reading these technical manuals?). The band was obviously 'creme de la creme'. Musicians I would be proud to have play anything I wrote. They could have used another bassist however. Sorry Rog, your talent lies in composition and arranging (we should all be as good as you here) not in execution. Roger is the only person I know of who could compose and entire work around 5 chords (Pros and Cons of Hitchiking) and still make it interesting. It's just that he would compose an entire work around five chords... Also Roger just seemed a little stiff performance wise. All that quirky jerking about...
Finally, when we were going to show, the hope was that we would hear some of the new work. Even now, I'm chomping at the bit for the 2 forthcoming works. If 'Candle in the Wind' is any indication of what is to come, then I was thankfully dissappointed. Roger seems to be suffering from 'Amnesty International Syndrome' now. Don't misunderstand, I belong to Amnesty International. I believe in it and gladly take part in what I feel is a worthwhile cause and effort. It's just that every artist who gets the bug loses any subtlety they may have once possesed and trade it in for two fisted 'torture is bad' heavyhandedness that neither hits the mark nor retains any artistic merit. It's almost embarrasing. To date, Peter Gabriel's 'Biko' remains the only exception. Roger's 'Amused to Death' is an example of how he can make a statement that hits home while still delivering in a manner that is both poignant and moving. I can't listen to the opening cut of that recording without shedding a tear. It is strong and powerful statement as well as a satisfying work of art. 'Candle in the Wind' comes off as nothing more than polictically correct rhetoric. I hope this is the only exception.
All in all, the performance of 'In the Flesh' left me wanting. But not for more. I have two unused tickets and access passes for the show that happened at the Irvine Meadows Saturday. Part of me keeps thinking 'it could have just been an off night'. Still, I didn't go. Roger has been much, much better. I know. I was there when it happened.
I look foward to being there when it happens again. As laughable as
Jim Ladd's sermon at the beginning of the June 21 show was, he made a
valid point. Roger Water's work has had a tremendous impact on me.
Both with Pink Floyd and as a solo artist. He has been one of the
lights in an often dim pop music landscape. Age does not steal this
kind of genius. The boy's still got it. I think he might have left it
at home this time though.
What saved me and my well being was being introduced to The Floyd and the great Roger Waters. The only option I had to leave the country was to serve in the military for a 2 year stay (my final option after 3 years of trying to get out). During all the training and punishment that went on in the middle of the Kerman desert, all I could do to escape the grim reality of the situation was to sing Rogers words of truth to myself (inside my head of course otherwise I'd have spent many nights in the military prison).
Anyway, to keep a long story short, the only thing I asked for from our creator was to be able to leave with hope that one day Roger would go on tour again, and I would have the privilege to see him play live. I am one of the lucky people in the world to have had a dream come true.
I now live in Los Angeles, and in 1999, I flew to Chicago for the first Roger Waters show I saw. I was in the 1st row, right in front of Doyle. My friends and I could see every drop of sweat on Rogers face from there. It was the greatest feeling I have ever felt. I had never been so high from anything as I was from the presence of this man.
I came back to L.A. and flew out to New York to see the show in New Jersey 10 days later. By then I was all out of greens and I had to wait for a west coast tour to be announced. Then we indulged again and went to the show in L.A. I feel that I owe it to Roger to let him know that he saved my sanity and got me through the hardest part of my life (hardest part I have had so far, being 28 I'm sure there's plenty more on the way, but with Roger's music around, I'm sure it will all work out). There are so many people in the world that listen to Rogers music and can relate to it 1st hand. I'm sure his music and words have done the same for many many people worldwide.
Roger is like a god in places were people live a hard life and are repressed. In Iran, an islamic country, a place were everything is a risk, you can get arrested because someone doesn't like the way you look (and it happens often), you would drive down the street and see a picture of a government official on the wall and straight across his forehead and face would be the words "Roger Waters" spray painted. Up and down the streets you see the words Pink Floyd and Roger Waters' name all written over the place. People in places like that really appreciate the privilege of having someone on this earth like Roger. Lennon is gone, Marley is gone, but we still have the most courageous, well spoken, intelligent, gutsy and talented artist of the pac. I can go on for hours and hours but you'd probably get bored and just stop reading so I'll stop.
At Rogers show at The Universal Amphitheater we almost met. I was talking to the guys from 'Which Ones Pink' (a Pink Floyd tribute band) and you were giving people flyers for the fan club. Right after you introduced yourself to me, some guy from security stopped you and said you can't be doing this, and you must stop passing out the flyers and other BS. I got pretty upset that some jerk that had no idea who Roger was and how much he meant to is fans, would be such a typical just doing my job guy, that my brother pulled me aside so I wouldn't say anything to him and risk missing the show. When I came back, you were gone. I wanted to tell you a story or two of some experiences I had when I was in Iran, and how The Floyd's music was one way or another involved in them.
I don't know if you can or are willing to but if you have a mailing address for
Roger you can sen me I would greatly appreciate it.I would like to send him a letter. I need to thank him for
what he's done for me personally by creating the art that he has. I would also like to let him know how big
of a legend and icon he is in a place like Iran. I have a few really amazing stories that pertain to him and
his music from there. His music really hits the spot for so many people living in the real world. And so
many people experience what he sings about from war to love to the system to war again and etc...on a
daily basis. I think he would like to hear some of them and know what a difference he is making in people's
lives that have not anything else but him that they can listen and relate to. I thank you in advance.
(sorry I wrote so much, I cant
stop when I get started on Roger)
Arya Danesh
