In The Flesh
Tour Reviews

The whole "which one's Pink" debate that's been going on since about '82-83 is silly, as Waters' performance last night proved. Roger Waters is first and foremost a songwriter and an observer of human nature, for better or worse. Though capable of being a superb showman (as he was at times last night) he is also clearly sincere in both his cynicism and humanism. He is one of the few rock stars who can simultaneously live the life of a rich musician while taking snipes at those whose goals in life begin and end with Jaguars and gold Rolex watches. Though Rog is a passable multi-instrumentalist (quite decent on guitar and piano as well as, obviously, the electric bass) and has what can be a great voice, his songs could be performed by anyone and retain a lot of their power and poignance. This is both the greatest strength and greatest weakness of his music.

Gilmour, whose style (as a guitarist myself) I admire and enjoy, is, at the end of the day, just a guitar player. Doyle Bramhall, Snowy White and Andy F-W proved this amply by copping his exact tone, in many cases note for note solos (including subtle flourishes) while also sometimes elaborating on what he'd done or modifying it. Eyes closed you'd often not have known Gilmour wasn't really there. It's obvious to me that where Rog's trio of six-stringers departed from Gilmour's signature parts it was on purpose, not because they couldn't play them.

As a long (long long) time Floyd fan I've followed both Floyd Mk III and Roger since '83. Waters has put out three well-crafted albums, two of which I can take or leave and the last of which (as Roger has observed) would have been a zillion-seller if it only said "Pink Floyd" on the cover. He's played to tiny crowds in teeny places and gave up touring for more than a decade. Gilmour's band meanwhile has put out two achingly mediocre studio albums (with an awful lot of outside help) and two very enjoyable live albums while selling out arenas all around the world and merchandising fourteen repackages of the old albums, all of which tends to underscore why Waters got tired of Floyd starting around maybe '75 already. But with Gilmour's band dormant coming on five years, and Waters having had a great album seven years ago for which he never did a tour...it was time...

The show last night was, essentially, the return to form of one of the great songwriter/lyricist/vocalists of the 70s. A carefully-chosen mix of Floyd's greatest hits and Roger's solo stuff, guaranteed to either delight or piss off Floyd and Waters fans equally. I was very pleased with the song choices and could also have suggested some changes.

The band is very large and for the most part spot-on. The sound system was excellent (but always is at Oakdale) with the primary downer of the first set being the first 15-25 minutes which were about 20 db too quiet for maximum effect. The quad system (which sounded like poop when I saw Yes last summer) worked great, especially for the ambiant junk on "Dogs" and the Dark Side tracks. I don't know if every venue has this surround-sound type system, but mad laughter coming from behind you is a nifty trick.

All in all a fantastic show. Following are the highlights and nits to pick:

THE SONGS

Best of first set: Dogs
Best of second set: Time and/or Perfect Sense
Most mistakes: Shine On
Most popular: Another Brick II
Least popular: Amused to Death
Biggest frustration: Great Gig teaser. Jesus, play it or don't play it, but don't diddle our Dark Side and run away.

THE CROWD

Shockingly young and shockingly stupid, if enthusiastic (at least at the Floyd stuff). I've not seen this drunk and stoned a crowd at a "classic" rock show since probably the early-mid 80s. Half the people around us could barely stand, talk, or sing along. There were way too many howlers. Belly-button-ring girls actually dancing violently to WYWH (??). A lot of young guys, some skinheads among them, doing the crossed-wrists thing all damn night—apparently What God Wants is to leave today's 20-somethings without the slightest capacity for irony.

THE BAND

All great. The backup singer women were amazing.

Doyle Bramhall is good, but he ain't that good. As others have remarked he looked bored often throughout the night and sang in a lackluster way at best. His lead playing, however, smoked. Personally, as one of the biggest Thin Lizzy fans outside of Ireland, I would've liked to hear more from Snowy, but hey.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you're after an "experience" that costs a lot and causes a traffic jam, go see Gilmour's band in some 80,000 seat nose-bleed-o-dome. If you're after great music you know played in a heartfelt but "big" way, catch Roger while you can... in the flesh.

by James C. Price
My second show of the tour and what a show again and I will skip the yada yada about the songs as they were all great. But what the hell was that wine and cheese crowd all about. The oakdale theater is the best venue i have ever been to for a concert but the crowd 99% lost in space. We sat in the fourth row with a bunch of fifty year old season ticket holders who came to justify the ass reaming they got for by a whole seasons worth of concert tickets. I imagine many real fans sitting at home why these stiffs sat there and yawned the whole show. After reading all the reviews on the net it is quite apparent that very few people understand music or what Roger Waters and Pink floyd are about. He did not show up to be Pink Floyd he showed up and played like a true musician. How many bands are worth seeing today honestly? mabey five at the most. This country has definatley amused it's self to death. throw away your tv it is a brain dead waste of time. Roger if your reading thank you and please come back with a new album and all solo work tour. And for those who don't know lay off the sauce as help is available.

by Madcap42@aol.com
I'd like to start off by saying it has always been my opinion that Roger Waters is the single greatest lyricist of all time. I attended the show at the Oakdale Theatre tonight (8/8/99) and it blew The Tweeter Center show right off the stage. It was very satisfying to see Pink working his magic with a smile on his face...

Here are my feelings on the show...

Electric lights were shining bright... activating my mindsight
Music tones engulfed the night... faces formed by laser light

On the stage in shades of blue... the greatest band minus who?
played some old tunes that they new... to drooling sheep so untrue

In the flesh made me smile... pigs with wings flew for a while
I was dreaming of the nile... then my mind wandered many miles

When dogs echoed through the air... .it helped to ease my inner fear
A crystal star did then appear... reminding me why i was there

The genius man did not stand... anywhere throughout the land
My heart felt for the band... I will never understand

Southampton Dock was great too see... probably because the power's that be
What God wants apparently... all made perfect sense to me

All my thoughts and views the same... the bravest one is well in range
Their shining man remains deranged... the rest of them are such a shame

To summarize...

The show was amazing. The presence and aura of Roger was just hard to beleive. I was in awe the entire first set and i already knew exactly what was coming. The sound in the theatre was very impressive and the crowd, for the most part, actually sat down and enjoyed a true master at work. I had a great view. Roger's energy and basswork was truly a sight to behold... fantastic !!! I obviously would have enjoyed a few obscure treasures prior to DSOTM but, i understand where Roger is coming from and i am very appreciative of his enthusiasm and work ethic. Bramhall is very very good... but... he did miss a few notes and some of the feel of that "old guitarist" they used to have... what was his name again?... anyway... You will never get a more genuine ITF, POTW, WTTM, or , SOYCD ever... unless... like i was saying. All of his solo work was great and Chubby will never touch this ,no matter how much the radio stations play WYWH and CN. well I'm done!!!!! I can go die happy with one more of my dreams coming true. SHINE ON!!!

Madcap42@aol.com

P.S. I'm wondering who could be writing this song.

by studioct@tiac.net
Jolly Roger and the Reigning Royalty of Space  

Roger said it best at the conclusion of the second set.

"We were talking about the magic of the old days..."

Roger inferred the audience was responsible for the incredible evening, and while no one bought the story, certainly an air of deep bliss had intoxicated both the performers and the audience. An energetic, atmospheric evening of musical fireworks lit the night with an underlying theme that it was "us and us."

"In the Flesh" started us through a concise journey to "The Wall". The nine piece band sounded like an orchestra ready to explode.

"Pigs on the Wing" and "Dogs" was like a reading from the "Twilight Zone". The Band whipped up a fresh yet authentic version of these gems that had one longing for both LSD and Prosac.

With up to four guitars and splendid keys "Wish you were here" and "Shine on" made me wish some one was recording this show.

At about one and a half hours the first set made me remember why I so much wanted to be at this show. The second set made me remember why I loved the "Pink Floyd" crowd.

Through the Dark Side set, everyone eased into the "space cadet glow". "The Powers that be" brought on an intensified physic barrage that clicked with audience.  "What God Wants" started the brilliant rendering of selections from "Amused to Death". Roger and his Band delighted in finding just the right phrase to reaffirm the "high five" interaction between the audience and performers. "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse" left no one seated.

Left "Comfortably Numb," it seemed time to re enter the madness...

by Rudi Riet

Highlights: "Dogs," "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," "Perfect Sense I & II"

I liked how Waters let Doyle Bramhall and Jon Carin handle a lot of Gilmour's vocal parts. Carin, in particular, is amazing& his talents on the keys, the guitar and vocals are top-notch. I've seen him tour with Gilmour's Floyd, The Who, and now with Waters—this is his best showing, by far. Bramhall is a red-hot blues guitarist, and his leads were scorching. I like how both he and Snowy White payed homage to Gilmour (and Jeff Beck) without resorting to simple rehash of the "expected" solo lines. They put a lot of energy into things, which was appreciated.

The rest of the band was great, too. I do wish that Andy Fairweather-Low had a more up-front role, though his solo in "Money" was red-hot. Graham Broad banged the drums with patient authority, and the second keyboardist and the two female vocalists were totally tuned into the vibe of the rest of the band.

But Waters—what a show! He was loose, having a great time, actively playing for the audience (rather than playing to the audience, which is how he came across in other tours, both with the Floyd and solo), and relishing both his fans and the band. He has obviously practiced his bass playing a bit, because his lines were more intricate than in the past, without throwing him out of time (one of Gilmour's complaints about Roger, I'm sure). Waters' acoustic and rhythm guitar work was also very, very good. His voice was amazing, especially considering that this was the third show in three days for him—he didn't sound rough, and hit almost every note spot-on. I especially liked how he sang Gilmour's part on "Time"—very sharp and, for Waters, very loose.

I wish I could see another show on this tour, and may head west when he tours next year. I also hope that he takes this band with him into the studio in February—they are very tight and have a great groove—I'm sure that the good vibe would spread to any recorded work, as well.

by Ffidrat@aol.com
After hearing that tickets had sold out in minutes, I was forced to dish out $250.00 for a pair in the 18th row. AMAZING!! The real Pink Floyd (Roger Waters) outshined the David's surrogate band. The Pink Floyd songs sounded alot better than Gilmour's Pink Floyd. When Roger comes out on top of the wall and hits the cords for "In The Flesh" , it was non-stop energy from him and the crowd for 2 1/2 hours.( get there early because the show starts promptly at 8.There was a mad dash to the seats and a tough decision for the people still in the liquor line!)

Roger was has animated and pumped has I have ever seen. The setlist was the same as previous shows with "Comfortably Numb" has the encore.Roger did not speak much. Told the crowd he's been talking in interviews "about feeling the magic again and he felt it tonight". After "Amused to Death", Roger said he's played 10 shows on the tour and that's the best they pulled it off.His band is awesome.

My favorites songs -

Welcome To The Machine
Dogs
Powers That Be (jazzier version}
It's A Miracle
Perfect Sense
Amused To Death

All the songs were great! The only disapoints (very minor) were "What God Wants, Part I" without Jeff Beck"s guitar and I wish he would've played more solo material.

After waiting 12 years I still am sitting here the next night in awe. I would suggest doing what ever is necessary to "go to the show"!