Pink Floyd - Pulse
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Movie Reviews of Pink Floyd - Pulse
Movie Review: Triumphant
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had the VHS tape version of Delicate Sound of Thunder for many years, and have just watched the DVD of Pulse.
It's absolutely fantastic with just a few caveats. One song- "Great Gig in the Sky"- on DSoT absolutely wipes out the version offered on Pulse. This isn't the band's fault- they're far stronger and more engaged on Pulse- it's that the singers on Pulse, including Durga McBroom, oversing the song and completely miss the emotional core of it. The Delicate Sound of Thunder "Great Gig" is unforgettable, the Pulse "Great Gig" is vocal exercises that sound aggressive and show-offy. Also, the version of Sorrow on DSoT is more passionate.
That said- everything else on Pulse lays DSoT to waste, the way the earlier Great Gig does. There's no comparison at all. As the concert progresses, it just keeps getting better and better- the Pulse version of 'Money' is taut, riveting, stunning- Gilmour's guitar playing on that is astonishingly brash. Throughout, the band is laying it out with twice the passion and freshness of the rather lackadaisical DSoT version.
Even the backing musicians (with the exception of the Great Gig singers) are giving more- and most notably, where DSoT had a lively and personable sax player, Pulse has Dick Parry for the whole concert- yes, the original sax player who's on the record. Saxophone is an interesting instrument in that you can really tell who's behind it, and you definitely feel with every note that this is the 'right' sax player on this music, because just like Gilmour on guitar, this is the original guy on the records. It just feels good to have him there, it sounds so right.
Lastly- the mix and lighting are quite astonishing. The mix of the initial songs (the more recent Waters-less Floyd) caused my cat to freak out and cry and protest continuously, because my house turned into a Floyd show and my very decent subwoofer was putting out continuous giant stadium subsonics at super-high levels- this combined with the stratospheric highs was enough to convince my cat that the world was ending. When we got into the Dark Side material, it improved- it's startling to hear how the subsonic rumbles of that era (on the sound effects recordings) are nothing compared to present day capabilities- and then by the encores, we were back to the full thunder of a stadium and kitty panic again. Another interesting quality of the mix is it sounds breathtakingly loud even when at reasonable volumes, and is unusually clear. This is a very good speaker test DVD.
The lighting is basically DSoT only more so- the extent and variety of lighting at this show is simply astonishing. There's quite a lot of blinding white light, and every imaginable other sort, a giant mirror ball, the aircraft landing lights at the base of the stage now can spell words and symbols- it's just impossible overkill. There are wonderful visuals like when the mirrored ball goes on, shafts of lasers transfixing the stadium at all angles (and strangely thick for lasers, yet the beams don't widen)- pretty much the ultimate lightshow. There's the screen, and then the backdrop to the whole stage also works as a screen, and so on...
Thoroughly recommended. Now, how about the DVD for Delicate Sound of Thunder- just so I can have that Great Gig instead of this one?
Movie Review: WISH SYD WAS HERE - ITS ABOUT TIME!
Summary: 5 Stars
The long-awaited, and much delayed, 2DVD release of Pink Floyd's PULSE has finally arrived. The discs have been filled with some interesting additional material.
PULSE is a recording from the band's run of 14 shows at London's Earl's Court, the final full concerts performed (to date). A lot of work has been done to improve the sound and picture quality, and to source a selection of suitable extras.
Along with the DVD menus and screens, the DVD cover has been designed by Storm Thorgerson, PF's longtime friend and graphic designer.
Pink Floyd's well-respected engineer James Guthrie has been the man working on the surround sound mixes, and the new, Dolby Digital 5.1 remastered soundtrack reportedly sounds superb.
We know that you'll want to know what's been included, so without further delay, here's the detail:
DISC 1
Concert Part 1:
Shine On
Learning To Fly
High Hopes
Take It Back
Coming Back To Life
Sorrow
Keep Talking
Another Brick In The Wall (part 2)
One of These Days
Screen Films:
Shine On
High Hopes
Learning to Fly
Bootlegging the Bootleggers:
What Do You Want From Me
On The Turning Way
Poles Apart
Marooned
Shorts:
Time (Eames)
Money (Alien)
Speak To Me 1987
Pulse TV Advert
Videos:
Learning To Fly
Take It Back
DISC 2
Concert Part 2:
Speak To Me
Breathe
On The Run
Time
The Great Gig In The Sky
Money
Us And Them
Brain Damage
Eclipse
Wish You Were Here
Comfortably Numb
Run Like Hell
Screen Films:
Speak To Me (graphic)
On The Run
Time 1994
The Great Gig in the Sky (wave)
Money
Us And Them 1987
Brain Damage
Eclipse
Alternate Screen Films:
The Great Gig In The Sky (animation)
Us And Them 1994
Behind the Scenes Footage:
Goodbye to Life As We Know It
Wish You Were Here:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Photo Gallery
It's very interesting to see how all the screen films have been included on the DVDs. This is something that many fans have been keen to see. From our point of view, it's great to see that the Money alien film is included - few people seem to have heard of this hilarious alternate version, and this is their chance to see it.
"Bootlegging The Bootleggers" seems to be a way at getting back at those who release unauthorised footage of the band in action - as we understand it, they have sourced audience-shot material of these tracks for inclusion. Ironically, Pulse is one of the biggest bootlegged titles on DVD, with loads appearing on eBay and other online sites each day.
With behind the scenes footage, a photo gallery, and the band's performance at the US Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony back in 1996, this new release promises to be a very interesting collection of material.
It is worth reiterating that any versions of Pulse currently being offered on DVD in various places
Movie Review: Another great gig in the sky!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just picked up this DVD and must say first and foremost, I was totally blown away with the sound quality. When I read some of the mixed reviews about the sound quality of this DVD, I don't get how anyone could be complaining unless their Surround Sound system (or if they even have one) is one of those Wal-Mart specials that all the pieces come in one box. My system is a very powerful 6.1 THX HTS that also is equally powerful as a 2 channel stereo system. The problem with those low-end Surround Sound package deal systems is that for most practical purposes, will suffice the average person watching a movie in surround sound (but most likely, lacking seriously in deep realistic bass area, AKA, the sub-woofer). But switch those cheap-o systems over to audio only, and alas, that's when you get smacked right in the face (or ears) and realize just how much sound quality you're losing and why the whole package was a bargain at under $500. All being said, the Pulse DVD is basically an audio DVD with video. Don't get me wrong, I dare not try and comment or criticize Pink Floyd's visuals which should ever go un-credited, but for anyone to say the audio portion of this DVD is weak or poor quality, must not have a very good system. My point is that Pulse blew me away, first, with the audio portion of it. I've been a Pink Floyd fan since the release of Ummagumma, not new fare weather fan that asks, "which guy is Pink Floyd". Somehow, I never got to see them live and this DVD was the fill-in I needed. There a part when the lighting is so strong you can't see what's going on but usually those are short-lived moments. At other times, the video is awesome (not really the quality but the band and light show). My biggest complaint is there are not enough times when the cameras are on the band members during those crucial sound sections. Like during one a guitar lead or riff that make the sound and you want to see Gilmore playing up close. Of course there are times when the cameras are right on but more so they visual is taken back so the viewer can see the whole stage. David Gilmore has never been one of those guitarists that I rank my "the best" category but seeing him on this DVD has awakened me to his playing level. I usually listen to bands that have great jams, with guitars riffs that we all remember and love playing air guitar to like Jack Bruces' bass on I'm So Glad, Steve Howe's ending performance in Starship Trooper, Page in Stairway....., Clapton in Badge, Mark Farner in Inside Looking Out, etc etc, to say just a few). It's a bit sad for me to say it, but I had to see Pink Floyd live, before being able to rank Gilmore up there with the best. Bottom line boys and girls, if you like kicking back and cranking up the jams and you are a Pink Floyd fan, get this DVD. It's that simple! You won't be disappointed. I promise!Movie Review: More like 4.5 stars, Pink Floyd somewhat dropped the ball on PULSE DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
Pink Floyd's video document of their 1994 successful Division Bell tour entitled Pulse was released in June of 1995, the same day as the album. Its release on DVD was in July of 2006.
Whereas the off-shoot album was recorded from 20 shows in Europe, this DVD was from Earls Court Arena in London on 20 October, 1994.
I first saw Pink Floyd's Pulse in November of 1994 when it aired as a pay-per-view. The show had a five minute pre-show interview with David Gilmour and Nick Mason on performing live on broadcast TV.
Then, there are some differences between the PPV version and the official version in the camera angles and some songs were fixed. The song "High Hopes" had a section of its ending lap steel guitar solo overdubbed from another show because if you have the PPV on video, David Gilmour hit different notes than the released version (this wasn't corrected on the DVD, you still get that pesky studio overdub). "Time" on the PPV version just had Gilmour and Wright singing "Thought I'd something more to say" but on the official VHS second keyboardist Jon Carin's voice was magically added in as it was on "Breathe Reprise" which was buried on the original PPV mix (could have been added in from another show as the microphone was either not on or the in-house mixer forgot to fade him in). Also, David Gilmour thanked Roger in a slightly lower tone on the PPV as opposed to the official video and DVD. Lastly, "Comfortably Numb" was edited from 11 minutes from the PPV to over 9 minutes on the DVD (this was not fixed as well for the DVD).
There are some positives about the DVD.
Some of the versions of the songs from this video here appeared on the album ("Shine On You Crazy Diamond", parts of "One of These Days", "Speak to Me", "Breathe", "On the Run", "The Great Gig in the Sky", part of "Us and Them" and "Comfortably Numb") whilst "Learning to Fly", "Coming Back to Life", "Sorrow", "Keep Talking", "Another Brick II", "Time", "Money", "Any Colour You Like", "Brain Damage", "Eclipse", "Wish You Were Here" and "Run Like Hell" are fantastic and different to the live versions that appear on the album version of PULSE.
Also, the song "Take it Back" which was left off of the PULSE album is included on the PULSE film.
The DVD has a boatload of bonus features like promo videos, all of the backdrop films on their own, a documentary and some fan-shot footage of "Marooned", "Poles Apart", "What Do You Want From Me" and "On the Turning Away" (the "Bootlegging the Bootleggers" section and extras are worth the DVD alone).
This DVD is rounded off to 5 stars as there is no 4.5 stars.
Recommended!
Movie Review: A Magical Night In London in March of 1994
Summary: 5 Stars
What a great DVD set. Especially considering that it was recorded in 1994 when the audio/visual technology was still far from the high def/digital audio available today. The picture quality is crystal clear, and the audio has been enhanced to provide you with two Dolby 5.1 choices (448kbps & 640kbps). The sound is incredible, especially with the 640 option. A stereo option is also available if you don't have a Surround system.
Enough of the technicalities...the performance was spectacular. David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright were all perfect. 8 others joined the band, including Guy Pratt who filled in the gaping duet hole for Roger Waters in Run Like Hell.
Disk one, or should I say Pulse One, features Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Learning to Fly, High Hopes, Take It Back, Coming Back to Life, Sorrow, Keep Talking, Another Brick in the Wall (part 2), and One of These Days.
Pulse Two is The Dark Side of the Moon disk. You get: Speak to Me, Breathe in the Air, On the Run, Time, The Great Gig in the Sky, Money, Us and Them, Any Colour You Like, Brain Damage, Eclipse, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb and Run Like Hell.
There are tons of bonuses that include screen films, Bootlegging the Bootleggers and other shorts...2 hours of bonus material in total.
Everything is here that a Pink Floyd fan could want...except Roger Waters. What a shame that whole thing is. How I wish...how I wish you were here.
But rest assured that this is an absolutely amazing and fulfilling show. No expense was spared on the theatrics either. Very cool lights, video and stage. And everything from the performance to the stage show is captured expertly...especially the performance. The video never jumps around before you have a chance to take the shot in; you feel like you're sitting in the front row...not watching a DVD.
I'm not the biggest Pink Floyd fan out there. I don't have all their albums; I have the studio versions of the recordings that any rock fan has. But let me just say that I was blown away by this DVD release.
It goes without saying that true Pink Floyd fans don't need to be told to add this upgrade to DVD from video to their collection. It might need to be said that if you've ever listened to Pink Floyd or enjoy their music at all that this DVD needs to be added to any rock fan's cart. It is superb, and a valuable addition to any music collection.
Buy it!