Pink Floyd!!

[sgt.null]

A Soldier's Tale (Narrated by Roger Waters)

Part II

01) The Soldier’s March (2nd Reprise): Down a Hot and Dusty Track - Again, love he instruments for the March. And Roger's meter. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.

02) He Doesn't Even Know Himself - I like the words here. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.

03) The Soldier’s March (3rd Reprise): Will He Take the Road to Home - the music sounds familiar. I like the simple question and answer. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.

04) He Doesn't Have a Home Anymore - and now to rescue a princess? I did not see that coming. Null Rating : 7 out of 10

05) The Royal March - very pomp & circumstance. Royal indeed. Null Rating : 7 out 10.

06) So, All Was Arranged - is that the devil again? Null Rating : 7 out of 10

07) Later That Night - now the narrator gets involved? Another twist is did not expect. And a game of cards with the devil. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.

08) The Little Concert: Light Floods the Eastern Sky - very light and airy. Happy as the soldier seems. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.

09) The Soldier, with a Confident Air - I expected to hear what the soldier played. A bit disappointed. One point off. Null Rating : 6 out of 10.

10) Three Dances: Tango (Part 1) - a nice tango. Null Rating : 6 out of 10.

11) Three Dances: Tango (Part 2) - another nice tango. Null Rating : 6 out of 10.

12) Three Dances: Waltz & Ragtime - again, nice. But a bit repetitive at this point. Null Rating : 6 out of 10.

13) So, First a Tango - I slightly preferred the description of the dances to the actual playing of the dances. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.

14) The Devil's Dance - not as devilish as i thought the devil would dance. Null Rating : 5 out of 10.

15) The Devil, Confused - I don't trust that the devil is defeated. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.

16) The Little Chorale - I really liked this piece. The instruments. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.

17) The Devil Recovers Some of His Wits - told you so. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.

18) The Devil's Song: Alright! You’ll Be Safe at Home - love the oompa oompa music when the devil is angry. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.

19) Hm, a Fair Warning - love the short omnibus warning. Null Rating : 7 out of 10

20) Grand Chorale (Part 1) - not my favorite. Null Rating : 5 out of 10.

21) Spring, Summer, Autumn - a poetic warning. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.

22) Grand Chorale (Part 2) - not my favorite. Null Rating : 5 out of 10.

23) Steady Now - another warning. Null Rating : 7 out of 10..

24) Grand Chorale (Part 3) - not my favorite. Null Rating : 5 out of 10.

25) Steady, Just Smell the Flowers - I like the poetic parts. Null Rating : 7 out of 10

26) Grand Chorale (Part 4) - not my favorite. Null Rating : 5 out of 10

27) Now I Have Everything - now this sounds like hubris. I have a bad feeling. Null Rating : 7 out of 10

28) Grand Chorale (Part 5) - my fears are justified? Null Rating : 5 out of 10.

29) The Princess, All Excited - and the beginning of the end. Null Rating : 7 out of 10.

30) Grand Chorale (Part 6) not my favorite. Null Rating : 5 out of 10.

31) And So, Off They Go - and just like that. He was warned. Null Rating : 8 out of 10.

32) Triumphal March of the Devil - nice summary March of triumph. Null Rating: 7 out of 10.

The Entire Album Null Rating : 6.6[ out of 10/b]

It was a very entertaining story that I was caught up and was willingly swept along with. What dragged the score down for me were what I felt were unnecessary musical interludes. Especially at the end, the repeated Grand Chorale Parts. Six parts of a not entirely interesting musical piece.

Roger was the reason this worked. He was engaging and kept my attention throughout. It was a story we have heard before. But he is a master storyteller. An old friend who kept our attention throughout. There were comedic asides, but not too many to make it a lampoon. It touched upon themes in Roger's works.

But there were enough new touches to keep our interests. I would love to see this live, if Roger was narrating.

[StevieG]

I like the final song ending with drums.

[StevieG]

He does voices very well. That goes back to some of the earlier albums, but quite significantly in The Wall.

[sgt.null]

He should do a line of book readings.
And lullabies for kids. Who knew?

[StevieG]

The Lockdown Sessions

ls.jpg (26.2 KiB) Viewed 88 times

Released: December 2022.

StevieG rating: 9.8/10

Listen to this album!! Don't miss it. Don't skim it. This is so amazing in every way.

The Lockdown Sessions started with some YouTube releases from Roger Waters during Covid. These recordings are, put simply, spectacular. The mixing is next level, and there is an X factor - LUCIUS!!! Unbelievable. Amazing. Transcendent!

He pulls in a great ensemble of musicians.

This, to me, is some of Roger's greatest work. The production is unparalleled, the music videos are flawless, and the songs bring goose bumps and tears almost every listening. You can't beat this. You just can't. If not for a minor quibble with Comfortably Numb this album would rate a perfect 10 out of 10.

The music videos differ slightly from the recorded version. I will link both.




Mother - music video.

Mother - album version.


This version is slightly different, only slightly, from the album release.

StevieG rating: 10/10

Holy shit. The sound is stunning. His guitar is crisp. His timing is impeccable. His voice is in keeping with his age. The music video is clear, amazing. He shows all his mannerisms. And then Lucius comes in. I love how all the musicians are introduced.

Hush now baby baby don't you cry, never sounded so good. Lucius are a force - incredible talents. They can sing with all the emotions. You should check out their version of the Great Gig in the Sky. Phenomenal.

The guitar solo comes in - I reckon Roger told him to play it as the original. He does an admiral job. All the musicians are feeling it, loving it, living it.

I can't get enough of this song, in this way. Roger knows his limitations vocally, and adjusts to the moment.

I can't rate this highly enough. 10 out of 10 AT LEAST.

Goose bumps. Tears. Perfection.

His chuckle at the end sums it up. He couldn't do it any better.



Two Suns in the Sunset - music video.

Two Suns in the Sunset - album version.

StevieG rating: 10+/10

(this video is more unedited than the recorded version)

If you thought the last one was perfection, this one transcends it. LUCIUS shine so much in this, that I can't get through it without extreme emotion. The song itself is incredibly emotional. His lyrics are unparalleled. Lucius mmmmmm, oooooh, aaaaah, and everything in between.

The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in, gives way and suddenly it's day again.

This set of musicians is impossible to beat.

I love the subtle changes from the original.

You have no recourse to the law anymore - Lucius shine so much that I struggle to get through it. This is what it's all about.

Ashes and diamonds, foe and friend, we are all equal in the end. Aaaaah.

And as an added bonus, we get some sublime saxophone at the end. I can't possibly recommend this song, and this album highly enough.

Another Roger chuckle at the end. We know how particular he is. The recorded version doesn't have it, but at the end of the video he says "Wow. How fucking good is that?" He's right. He recognises the power and beauty of this recording. Incredible.



Vera / Bring the Boys Back Home - music video.

Vera / Bring the Boys Back Home - album version.

StevieG rating: 10+/10

Can you believe it???? Oh my god. This is how it should be. Vera morphs so seamlessly into Bring the Boys Back Home that it is most certainly one song.

Subtle differences once again. If it is even possible, this is more powerful than the previous two. LUCIUS coo with incredible tenderness BRING THE BOYS BACK HOME - simply and beautifully. The build up is powerful, sublime, intense, emotional, perfect, stunning.

Dave Kilminster is given some leeway to show his brilliance. He brings the guitar to a new level, and it fits. The crescendo is impossible to watch without tears. You are incapable of emotion if you can listen to this without being affected.


The Gunner's Dream - music video.

The Gunner's Dream - album version.


StevieG rating: 10/10

Seriously!! Roger on piano this time. I've always thought the lyrics to this song are flawless. Roger's voice breaks in patches. He can get into the moment!

His timing is impeccable. Something that I've always admired. His voice struggles a bit, which actually adds to the effect of it. Lucius are the best vocalists he's had in terms of fit.

Roger doesn't accent his "t's" in this track. "Safely down the street" is softly spoken. The cutting edge is reduced but by no means gone. Sadness, despair, and pure empathy exists in this song, and it's a powerhouse.



The Bravery of Being out of Range - music video.

The Bravery of Being out of Range - album version.


StevieG rating: 10/10

This version improves on the original. He slows the pace. Everything about this album shows his genius for timing, pacing and a judicial and liberal application of LUCIUS.

They complement and enhance the entire set of songs.

This version is pared back, but still impactful, and still incredible. I love the interlude with the guitar solo, which is slow and stately and amazingly in keeping with the feel of the song. The girls come in and just build it so much.

Then Roger brings the song into today with a new set of lyrics. And it's relevant and it's still brilliant.

This is now - we STILL zap and maim with the bravery of being of range.

Even the ending is surprising but perfect. Roger asks are bartender if Biden can negotiate peace with Putin. The bartender laughs and gets the check.

Just love those laser guided bombs
They're really great for righting wrongs



Comfortably Numb - music video.

Comfortably Numb - album version.

StevieG rating: 9/10


Roger says:

Before lockdown I had been working on a demo of a new version of ‘Comfortably Numb’ as an opener to our new show "This Is Not A Drill”. I pitched it a whole step down, in A Minor, to make it darker and arranged it with no solos, except over the outro, where there is a heartrendingly beautiful vocal solo from one of our new sisters Shanay Johnson.It’s intended as a wakeup call, and a bridge towards a kinder future with more talking to strangers, either in "The Bar” or just “Passing in the Street" and less slaughter “In Some Foreign Field.”Here it is. Love R.

This is an ominous version. He succeeded there. The music video is devastating. There are no guitar solos, which in some ways is an introduction to his next album.

We have Echoes sounds in this one.

Roger's voice fits the mood perfectly. When we get to "There is no pain, you are receding" it has a softened vocal that also fits the mood. It is almost unfocussed. Roger absolutely nails it.

The first 'break' where there used to be a guitar solo - I don't love it. The strings are perfect, but the persistent phone isn't necessarily my favourite.

There'll be no more aaaah isn't quite as satisfying as before, but the thunder and apocalyptic feel is brilliantly done. The traditional Gilmour vocal section is sublimely done with a series of soft voices.

And then, the final 'guitar' solo from the original is filled with Shanay Johnson's incredible vocal. It's a mix between the Wall style cooing, and then it builds to a heartrending lament, and builds and builds and it becomes the Great Gig in the Sky, and it fits the songs so well that you get completely lost in it. Nooooo, noooo, nooooo!!! My god. Crazy - how does he do this? I just don't know, but I love it.



This album is a triumph and will forever go down in history as a sharp reminder that Roger Waters is a genius of musical empathy, structure, power, emotion and lyrical genius.

[sgt.null]

Roger Waters - the Lockdown Sessions


Roger Waters - vocals, guitar, piano
Dave Kilminster – guitar, rhythm guitar
Jonathan Wilson – guitar, harmonium, synthesizer, backing vocals
Gus Seyffert – bass, synthesizer, cello, backing vocals
Bo Koster – Hammond organ
Jon Carin – keyboards, synthesizer, backing vocals
Joey Waronker – drums, percussion
Lucius – backing vocals

Ian Ritchie – saxophone (track 2)

Bo Koster - Hammond organ (tracks 2–5)

Robert Walter - organ, piano (track 6)
Amanda Belair – backing vocals (track 6)
Shanay Johnson – vocals (track 6)
Nigel Godrich - strings, backing vocals (track 6)

1. "Mother" 7:20
2. "Two Suns in the Sunset" 6:01
3. "Vera" (contains "Bring the Boys Back Home") 5:14
4. "The Gunner's Dream" 5:32
5. "The Bravery of Being Out of Range" 6:51
6. "Comfortably Numb 2022" 8:30

01) Mother - this reminds me of the movie version of the song. It seems spaced out. More acoustic based. And that's all Roger on the lead acoustic. His playing is very confident. As Stevie points out the true gem here is Lucius.
Their vocals are amazing. They were st the show we saw. Roger has always had a knack for finding female vocalists to provide a brilliant counterpoint to his gruff vocals. And in this song in particular the weariness of his vocals are a perfect contrast to the perfection of the harmony of Lucius' vocals.
Kilminster's guitar solo is tasteful and emotive. Like all of Roger's guitarists. He favors feel guitarists over technical guitarists. Gilmour, Clapton, Beck, White, Smith. They don't beat you into submission with a thousand notes. They play in service to the song. Roger for all of his intellect, is really about emotion.
The lyrics touched upon something that happened recently in my life. So I felt the raw emotion in a way that maybe I wouldn't have at a different time. Which speaks to the universal messages Roger often conveys 8n his songs. Life is loss. And sometimes you are directly responsible for that loss.
Null Rating : 10 out of 10.

02) Two Suns In the Sunset - the song was more strident on the Final Cut. In the wisdom of his old age, Roger has become more resigned. And song benefits from becoming more tempered. The lyrics carry it. Forcing you (hopefully) to listen to the message. I do love the originals saxophone coda, but I can listen to the original for that. Lucius again is perfect on bgv.

Ashes and diamonds, foe and friend
We were all equal in the end

Sadly there was no tour for the Final Cut so these songs for the most part never got played live. Checking it seems Roger played Southampton Dock", "The Fletcher Memorial Home", and "The Gunner's Dream" on solo tours. So its great to see t him revisit these. Especially this, a favorite since I first heard it.

When Julie went to buy me the re-release with The Tigers Broke Free years ago she told the sales guy at the music store the Final Cut was one of my favorite Floyd albums. He told her it was nobody's favor Floyd album.

Null Rating : 10 out of 10.

03) Vera / Bring the Boys Back Home - we have see Roger four times. He has played this four times. Each time I get emotional. You can tell it means so much to him.
It starts as a plea from Roger. Alone. And the call, Ladies. And these two angels come to save the boys. It's beautiful. And the military drums kicking in. Damn it's like we are flying over the battlefield. And I swear Kilminster's guitar sounds like an aeroplane. It's perfect.
Null Rating : 10 out 10

04) the Gunner's Dream - always a favorite fron the Final Cut. I love the piano driven version we get. There is a hesitancy to Roger's piano playing that im enjoying. Like its being dragged out of him. A more fluid player would gloss over the pain of the memory. Like the pause after he says dream. And Roger's voice breaks after the word service. You can feel pain in that loss.

When Roger sings comfort of the band he plays a brief piano interlude. In the original when hecsings dream it dissolves into a saxophone solo, here Lucius acts as a heavenly choir. Greeting his mother.

"And No One Kills the Children Anymore"

Null Rating : 10 out of 10

05) the Bravery of Being Out of Range - from Amused to Death. This does sound slowed down. More languid. Still love the "Who you gonna kill next" line. It just flows. The guitar solo, sounds familiar? If its a call back, I can't quite place it?

Roger has added an updated verse!

Thirty years later it’s the same old tune
No closer to peace than the man in the moon
The president’s still just as crazy as a loon
Still picking’ fights in some foreign saloon
Bombs still falling out of the sky
Bands still playing Miss American Pie
The gunner still sleeps in some foreign field
The boys are still coming home on a shield
And nothing is real
Aa
I am going to deduct a point for two reasons. Using a curse word on the outro, and the mention of Biden and Putin. It ties it to specific. I want it to be universal.

Null Rating : 9 out of 10.


06) Comfortably Numb 2020 - It is atmospheric. It's the birds from Echoes. I do love Roger's vocals. Weary, halting.
Even better on the second verse. Almost sing-song, verging on drone. So as to loss of the guitar solos. We still have those elsewhere. So on merit, what has Roger done here?
First solo - it reminds me of the Mortality Sequence from Dark Side of the Moon that would Become Great Gig. Kind of spoken word and music.
Second Solo - love the lightning strikes. Not the damn birds. Love Shanay's vocals.

Null's Rating : 8 out of 10

Null's Album Rating : 9.5

[StevieG]

Bravery guitar solo - sounds like The Wall, or maybe the Final Cut. I can't quite place it right now.

Interesting what you said about Julie telling the sales guy that the Final Cut was one of you favourites, and his response. It is a common response, I think mainly brought about by the feud at the time. Because as an album, it stands up.

I loved reviewing this one - it was great to revisit all these incredible songs.

[sgt.null]

I wish you had seen him on that last tour itcwas amazing!

Other than Not Now John, I still listen to Final Cut. David was wrong about the album. Hell he was ok with Momentary and Endless River being released.

This is Roger's next DVD release. This Is Not A Drill.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_Not_a_Drill
Set 1
"Comfortably Numb 2022"
"The Happiest Days of Our Lives"
"Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2"
"Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3"
"The Powers That Be"
"The Bravery of Being Out of Range"
"The Bar"
"Have a Cigar"
"Wish You Were Here"
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI–IX)"
"Sheep"
Set 2
"In the Flesh"
"Run Like Hell"
"Déjà Vu"
"Is This the Life We Really Want?"
"Money"
"Us and Them"
"Any Colour You Like"
"Brain Damage"
"Eclipse"
Encore
"Two Suns in the Sunset"
"The Bar" (reprise)
"Outside the Wall"

[StevieG]

Dark Side of the Moon Redux

The_Dark_Side_of_the_Moon_Redux.jpg (16.87 KiB) Viewed 9 times

Released: October 2023

StevieG rating: 7.9/10

This is Roger Waters' Radiohead album! You know the one - the one after Ok, Computer that fans absolutely loved, and then they produced Kid A? I hated that album, partly because I loved Ok, Computer. My daughter loves Kid A. I think that this album by Roger Waters is going to divide our group in a similar way.

Firstly, it is stripped back, subdued. To me, it feels like a reflection on the themes that inspired the original, through years of experience. Musically, it has more synthesiser, organ, keyboard. The acoustic guitar is subtle and perfectly placed. In Great Gig in the Sky, it almost sounds like pan flute or something, but it is effective. All the backing vocals have a lower pitch, and the album doesn't build to a rousing crescendo, but remains true to its theme of subdued reflection.

The bass and lower octaves dominate this recording, giving it a winter feel, in terms of a life lived.

I remember when I first listened to it, I was walking to walk along a beautiful rivulet with my headphones on, and I remember being overwhelmed at times by the humanity of this album. Since then, with my current listen, I haven't emulated that feeling, but listening to it several times for this revue has given me a good understanding of the recording.

The important thing in my mind is: if you are comparing it to the 1973 masterpiece, you'll hate it. If you think that Roger is doing this as some intentional dig at David Gilmour - ie, not including any guitar solos, then you are missing the point of this album. He is telling a story that is still relevant today, and the songs are exquisitely tailored to the theme.

Roger wanted to do a redux because, in his words: "The message has stood the test of time, the concept has stood the test of time. The new recording is more reflective, and is more indicative of what the original concept was. "

Roger on DSOTM Redux

The drums are tight and the absolute opposite of the space drum 80s! More like Is This the Life we Really Want?.

So, here we go


Speak to Me

StevieG rating: 8/10

The first surprise is the lyrics of Free Four from Obscured by Clouds. Great lyrics! And a perfect introduction to this album.


Breathe

StevieG rating: 9/10

Sets the tone appropriately for the album. The tight drumming. The subtle acoustic guitar. The strings. You are the angel of death, and I am the dead man's son.

Roger's voices is tired and just right. The backing vocals are subdued and low. The keyboard is reminiscent. All the music is meticulously put together from someone who knows exactly what he is doing.


On the Run

StevieG rating: 8/10

This is fascinating. Roger's story about the battle between good and evil is tense and the music complements it precisely. It has tense moments, euphoric moments and then despairing moments. The music follows his story perfectly. And then you find out that the voice that stop it all is....


Time

StevieG rating: 8/10

... The voice of reason.


Continuing the reflective nature of this album, Time commences with the familiar progression. The acoustic guitar gives it a beautiful aching resonance. When the singing comes in, it is accompanied by just the right amount of backing instruments. The backing vocals are subtle. Everything about this song is subtle.

The break is organ/keyboard, and it works. The restraint in this recording is admirable. Sounds like steel guitar or something in there too. Then the strings come in. They are more like cellos or similar, not the higher pitched violins, I'm pretty sure. The more I listen to it, the more I appreciate it.

I think it evokes a feeling that is worth taking notice of.


The Breathe reprise is a great orchestral arrangement.


The Great Gig in the Sky

StevieG rating: 9/10

This has so much humanity to it. Roger tells a story of death and memories. It fits the theme of this song perfectly.

There is only one road.

The musical section is in keeping with the album. Strings and a solo with voice effects? It sounds a bit pan flutey, but I think it's a synth with human voice effects. It's perfect. Add some subtle piano and drums, and it is so good. Bird sounds that Sgt won't appreciate

Roger resumes his story, taking some items to remind him of Don. He speaks with sadness and fondness. Tears burn my eyes.


And then, he introduces perhaps the most menacing song on the album.... the crossroads. The helicopters change the mood.


Money

StevieG rating: 7/10

Roger's voice is lowered to convey the greed that this song brings. The strings are prominent, and the keyboard. No violins though, more at the cello end of the strings. It lopes along in the same style as the rest of the album, and his voice is followed and complimented with the ominous string section.

The first interlude begins with Welcome to Hell.

He sounds a bit mad with power during this section, which is probably the intent. The story of the heavyweight is interesting without being compelling. Of course, the devil is controlling the hunger, greed and malice. Meanwhile the music moves along relentlessly in the background, with appropriate swelling at certain parts.

We return to the familiar 7/4 time signature, and Roger growls out the final verses. And confirms no money will be given away.


Us and Them

StevieG rating: 8/10

An so we come to the slow beat of Us and Them. It starts with some perfectly placed acoustic guitar. Everything in this album is understated. Roger's voice is still low. Strings again enhance it.

The strings fit perfectly. The backing vocals are also low - no high pitched vocals. They come in mildly. This is a great song to listen to with headphones. There's a lot going on. The arrangement is meticulous.

Listening to it again, it might be the most orchestrally arranged song on the album. The acoustic guitar comes and goes. And the keyboard is prominent throughout. The second solo is a mixture of acoustic guitar and keyboard. It's quite a sonic experience.


Any Colour You Like

StevieG rating: 5/10

A bit more bass in this one. A bit of a ramble from Roger, beginning with the chaos of life, I think.


Brain Damage

StevieG rating: 9/10

And now we get to the big finale. Roger starts with a mad ramble. But gets into a tuneful verse, with backing vocals. The piano and keyboard accompany him with the subdued and appropriate commencement.

The "swell" is so smooth that you hardly notice it, and then realise you are in with Roger and the orchestra, the backing vocals, and it is just so beautiful. I know it's not going to appeal to everyone, but that first "I'll see you on the Dark Side of the Moon" still gets me.

And then the slide through to the 2nd verse.

You raise the blade
You make the change
You rearrange me 'til I'm sane

Is achingly sung. It is an emotional roller coaster befitting Roger's age and time in life.

Even the build to the 2nd chorus. Just a few short drum fills. Roger laughs/cries when he sings And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes.

Then we move into the final song and it slows down almost triumphantly.


Eclipse

StevieG rating: 8/10

It builds, as much as this album builds. The backing vocals sing actual words! The drums are more active, but still subtle.

Roger has the final say: I'll tell you one thing, Gerry, me old mucker — it's not all dark, is it?

This is a final note to Gerry O'Driscoll, I'm assuming, who said the words on the original "There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact, it's all dark."



Looking forward to others' opinions I may be alone here but we'll see.