The best and worst
With David’s triumphant 32-date tour done and dusted, I wondered: what are your stand-out memories from the tour?
I’d like to compile your thoughts into a poll so that we can vote on a short-list and see which the fans consider to be its best, and worst, moments.
So far, the best moments for me are (in order of date):
- Realising that ‘Echoes’ was being performed
- The live version of ‘Take A Breath’
- David and the band appearing on Jay Leno
- The Royal Albert Hall fighting eBay
- David Bowie singing ‘Arnold Layne’
- The wine glass intro to ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’
- David’s surprise rendition of ‘Dark Globe’
- The great honour and significance of being invited to Gdańsk
Perhaps we could do one for the worst moments of the tour, too. The incident at JFK airport, the postponement of the Venice shows, endless ticketing confusion, people constantly flashing their bloody cameras, venues selling alcohol to people who clearly couldn’t cope with it…
Whatever sticks out in your mind, let us know. No long lists, please. We all want to know why, not just read through long, boring lists.
The most common suggestions will be included in the two polls, which will run over the next few weeks.
The best moment for me was without doubt Echoes @ the RAH, in my years of experiencing PF live this was without doubt the highlight of anything else that I have seen.
Down point – The RAH not opening the doors on the monday night show until 19-15, people were still finding their seats when the show had already started.
it’s ‘echoes’ for me, too. simply amazing.
jfk airport was really disappointing. those greedy fans should be ashamed of themselves for frightening guy’s little boy. that was just not on.
“Echoes” being played was definitely the cherry on the top for me. Who could have imagined David would be so sweet to us fans by performing it? And when Marc Brickman dosed it up with the lasers… well, it was a beautiful moment both musically and visually.
For David personally I’ll venture to say the tour highlight might have been the concert at Gdansk; to hear him talk about it, I could tell he was very touched by being asked to perform in Poland. Well done, David! Something to tell the grandchildren.
I must include one other personal highlight: Guy Pratt dropping by and keeping us entertained and informed with his posts; not to mention his sneaky help getting the presents to you, Edwina. Thanks for that, Guy.
The lowlight of the entire tour was hearing about Syd’s death, as it was for us all. No explanation needed.
I’ll have to say my personal lowlight was when David dashed by without stopping to say hello at RCMH. He was probably pressed for time, I understand – but you asked so there ya go. I was hoping for a nice photo but as the song goes, you can’t always get what you want.
xo
Deborah
The best – Nick Mason performing on stage for the encores at the RAH (even though I was at the previous night’s concert).
The worst – The JFK Airport incident, closely followed by the Venice stage collapsing.
Best– To be different I’d say the surprise inclusion of Arnold Layne….really, would have suspected that as a possibility….
Worst– JFKm..My US New York/ Northeastern bretheren let me down
okay – the worst things to me are two
first – the fact there were no other solo albums represented except the wonderful and beautiful On An Island
second – i have to say ( even though it was suggested ) the alcohol to those who didn’t need it. – I saw David in NYC and then the one day only showing on the big screen – i hate to admit – the movie was better ONLY BECUASE THE ANNOYING DRUNK PEOPLE WERE NOT THERE
For me, nothing can beat looking around during Wish You Were Here and seeing every single person singing along. I know it’s not unique to this tour, but it still sends shivers down my spine ;->
Kxx
Best for me: Being front row at mermaid. Robert Wyatt at RAH
Worst for me: Drunken, disrespectful crowd at Glasgow and the second RAH night.
The Bank Holiday Monday show at the Royal Albert Hall.
The entire show was a delight to the senses and for me it was all upside and no downside at all.
The surprise of David Bowie’s first public appearance in two years added an extra shot of jam in an already well filled donut.
Vince.
N.1 – “Echoes” being performed was a total surprise knowing how many songs in David’s career could have been picked up.
N.2 – wine glasses in “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” in Florence. I’m a Floydian since 25 years but I swear I didn’t know it was done that way in the first place!!!
N.3 – David performing Syd Barrett’s songs since the beginning of the tour.
N.4 – being able to share our feelings before and after the dates here with “Fed & The Bloggers”
I saw David together with my girlfriend in the Olimpia in Paris.
Outstanding for me personally was his performance of Fat Old Sun and Echoes. Old songs in a new dress and a beautiful sound. Thanks for that.
Cheerio, Robert
The best moment for me is that David decided to pack his gear and go out and tour again.
I also liked the fact that he mixed up the set list regularly so that almost no two shows were identical.
Andrew
High Points
1. Fat Old Sun Live – a sock knocker off when it started to rock and roll at the end!
2. The first ping of Echoes Live just sent a tremor through the audience and then the whole package kicked in. The music, the lights, the atmosphere…
3. Being in a theatre with fellow buffs knowing we were in for something special – the atmosphere was electric
4. This Blog! the people are generous, fun and honest.
5. Guy Pratt posting on the Blog becasue it showed us that he’s a normal bloke and allowed us to converse with someone we’ve watched many times on stage and DVD
6. You Fedmeister! Without you as our conduit it wouldn’t have worked. Bet you’ve not been called one of those for a while :-)
Low Point
1. The malcontents at the concerts!
[I can't recall the last time I was called one of those, funnily enough. - Features Editor]
Best ~ Taking my thirteen year old son Matthew to see David, Rick and Dick at Radio City Music Hall
and watching his eyes open and jaw drop…
Best ~ DISCOVERING the structural defects before the show in Venice…
Best ~ This Blog, F*Ed and the Guys and Dolls of the board….
Worst ~ News of Syd
Best – Abbey Road (all the free tea and biscuits Andy Murray gave us when he quite clearly had a captive market and could have made a fortune – what a nice man)
Worst – The loud drunks in Glasgow
from a still very happy Lorraine
[Please don't give these people money-making ideas, Lorraine. You'll be sorry... - Features Editor]
The best moment:the lights off at Florence,in darkness they have revealed a great rock band(obviously performing ‘Echoes’),the glasses filled with Chianti!
The worst:the delusion for Venice shows,a lot of people wrote some unkind words for that.But there was an happy end!
Great tour,great album,great site,great FriEnDs!
ciao emi
Best – Hearing the opening notes of Echoes at the RAH on the 2nd night.
Worst – News of Syd.
Worst – That sick feeling in my stomache, standing in Piazza San Marco and being told the gigs were cancelled…….
Best – …… being able to make it back to Venice for the 12th!
Best – The Comfortably Numb guitar solo at the Venice gig on 12th (thanks David, this is the best version I have ever heard and it more than made up for the stress, travel & ticket chaos, and the deluge!).
Can’t wait for the next tour!
I agree with a number of fellow bloggers about how ‘Echoes’ became a highlight. In my case though it had as much to do with the look on the young guys’ face sat next to me who didn’t know that it was on the set-list, as much as my own personal delight.
I would like to add the outro to ‘High Hopes’ as a personal fav too. We’d had a glimpse of it in the AOL session but I wasn’t sure how that would transfer to a live event. As it turned out, at least on the Mon & Wed of RAH, the crowd kept quiet right to the end and it was a particularly moving moment.
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, the whole experience has been complemented and improved upon by the existence of a place such as this blog. FEd, your efforts this year have been nothing short of first class and a credit to yourself and David. A hearty ‘Thank You’ from me.
It’s a good day for memories as I’ll actually be back at RAH tonight for a Proms concert, though the seats are nowhere near as good as I had then!
CJD (Memories, like the corners of my mind…)
[Thank you so much. I bumped into some friends at the first Albert Hall show during the interval and told them that there was a surprise coming up in the second half. They didn't know what to expect at all. They don't read the blog (I know, I know, the shame of it) and all I'd told them about the tour was that it's 'On An Island' in the first half and Floyd in the second. Seeing them at the end when they'd obviously discovered that the big surprise was 'Echoes' was great. - Features Editor]
[You Fedmeister! Without you as our conduit it wouldn't have worked. Bet you've not been called one of those for a while ]
This got me thinking ( which is always dangerous… )
F*Ed Nugent
(Editor and rock star)
F*ed Flintstone
(Editor who works in a quarry)
F*Ed and Ethyl Mertz
(The Riccardo’s editor and next door neighbor)
F*Ederico Fellini
(Editor and avant garde film director)
[You have got to stop this thinking nonsense, Matt. It's just not good for you. - Features Editor]
Hello all,
Best had to be the fact that he decided to give us the fans an opportunity to hear him and his solo music.
“Echoes” had to be the highlight for me, or hearing him play the lap steel on “High Hopes” because the acoustics in Radio City were tremendous.
The low point had to be the people at JFK swarming, too bad they had to be welcomed into the States that way.
Matt in Maine
Best – David Bowie helping with vocals in Comfortably Numb
Best – Echoes, just fantastic
Best – Nick Mason joining the boys on stage on the final nite at the RAH. (Just wish the other bloke could have turned up to complete the Floyd format !!!!! )
Worst – Gdansk !! the tours over. What next David ?
Regards Steve
best: the excellent live performance of echoes.
best: the new intro version on SOYCD. There are in fact two: with and without wineglasses.
worst: the short but hard rain during the the concert from Munchen
the best:
1. Attend a David Gilmour’s concert (too much yonger for Pink Floyd and never hoped to be so lucky to a David tour after 12 years of no david’s shows in Italy)
2. “Meet” a so fantastic and funny band (and Guy with is posts, of course!)
3. The concert…and Echoes, above all!
4. The blog
5. Polly (a great discover for me. I only know her name, while during these months I could appreciate her books, her pictures, her voice, her piano and her kindness – she also wondered why all us bloggers were really nice with David. TOO MUCH KIND!)
worst:
1. Syd’s news
2. the band’s disappoints for some bad “accidents” during the tour (pubblic’s noise, JFK, Venice’s problems…)
3. disagree and argue with people on the blog. I would prefer we were able to be all more friendly…but I was not able to do that with all of you…unfortunately!
Hi’s:
Definitely Echoes is one but even more hi was the fact I lucked into the night when he played Wot’s
Low:
Nothing played from the first solo album
Semi Low:
The first half of the concert
Cheers, Howard
Good bits,
getting tickets through the door for RAH show on 29th. May
My missus coming with me to the show, her first ever…& snuggling up to me during smile.(or was she trying to escape from someone (see below))
seeing Echoes live, just jaw dropping magic.
Feeling part of a great community (this blog)
bad bits (not many)
The prat in front of me holding his mobile phone in fron of my face trying to film the concert.
The disturbing site of some one sitting next to my missus who brought his guitar along for company & us waiting for him to strap it on & play air guitar, thankfully he did n’t.
High points… Hearing ALL of OAI live. Hearing Echoes live.
Low points… I have none.
Best,
-that David came out on tour.
- Polly’s photographs.
- As Matt said, discovering the structural defects before the show in Venice.
Worst,
-I had tickets for ROH and couldn’t go.
- Venice because I had tickets and couldn’t stay.
ash X
Best moments? too many. So I will say some that come to my mind
- echoes live. Why? because it is one of the best pieces of Pink Floyd, ever, because I never heard it live…it takes life live…..and…
- astronomy domine live. why? do I have to answer?
- Being Italian and be so lucky to have so many concerts in my country. Thanks.
- shine on you crazy diamond in firenze. Why? the magical reinvention of the beginning, still new and fresh, brought tears to my eyes.
- Il teatro degli arcimboldi, in Milan. a little place for a vanue, intimate, like being in a living room with David, rick and the whole band. Fantastic idea.
- The crowd in Milan. enthusiastic and educated.
- The square in firenze, which saved, with its beauty, the embarassing dark moment when the generator blew.
that’ s enough now…….
Ciao.
Wow, so many great moments to choose from…
The inclusion of Echoes would HAVE to be my number one. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would see that song played live. It is the single greatest song of all time in my opinion, and to hear the full version of it, and at such a venue as the Royal Albert Hall, will always be one of the greatest moments in my life. I wish I could rewind time, and re-live that half an hour over and over!
No.2 would be winning tickets to the Mermaid concert. (Thanks again FEd) I feel so lucky and privelaged to have seen David and the band in such a small intimate venue.
My No.3 is the concert in general, at the RAH, on the 31st May. But in particlar when David introduced Nick Mason on to the stage to play WYWH and CN. It was a special moment that I can’t wait to see again on the DVD.
Peace, David.
Fedmeister
Please let us have your highs and lows as well as It would be a nice “behind the scenes” look…
[There are too many for me. It would have to be a long, boring list. But David's birthday party was absolutely brilliant. Hearing the entire album live for the first time was amazing, and rather drunkenly telling David that he could play the spoons or the triangle and it would still sound great will stay with me forever. As will the memory of my guest telling Polly that she wasn't really a fan. That was a very special night indeed. - Features Editor]
By now I’ve all but forgotten about the drunks. My favorite moments are:
1. Wondering why David changed the set order, only to find out it was because he invited Crosby and Nash to help him sing OAI, plus other songs including “Find The Cost Of Freedom”. This was their first appearence on stage with him, the first Radio City date, so it really was a surprise.
2. Just David and Rick playing SOYCD part V initially, with the rest of the band joining in at “Well you wore out your welcome”. What a beautiful moment.
3. Fat Old Sun. Especially that extended moment of anticipation as the band is repeating “Sing to me” as David is removing his accoustic guitar and strapping on the Strat.
4. Echoes. Especially the David and Rick jam accompanied by the beautifully choreographed light show.
5. And of course the blog and website. All the hard work you guys put in is truly appreciated by us true fans. And I relish all the fan comments.
Bit off topic, apologies…Q have published the Top 100 Greatest Songs Ever as voted for by their readership. PF are there at 73, 26 and 19 with Shine On, WYWH and Comfy Numb respectively. Although there’s clearly no accounting for taste, as Live Forever by Oasis is number 1…
*awaits retribution by pointy stick*
Kxx
[I never liked that Q Magazine, anyway. - Features Editor]
Best bits:
Echoes – the arrangement and performance of Echoes that I saw both at the RAH and Vienne both were the joint highlights of the tour. Both venues were perfect in their own different ways, and hearing Echoes played SO well…that was it for me…THE best.
Wots/Fat Old – Brilliant – I was half expecting Fat Old because of the Meltdown performance, but Wots absolutely took my breath away. The combination of the two was just divine.
The “Hello Daddy” moment at the RAH
Meeting David and the boys at the Pulse screening (which is not just a best bit from this tour, it’s a new entry in my all-time best bits)
The visible and musical chemistry/comraderie between all the band members. It really came across in the music.
Worst Bits:
- Syd
- The defiant flash photographers on Monday night at the RAH who continued to flash all the way from Castellorizon onwards, despite a request before kickoff.
- The pre-concert ticket collection insanity at Vienne. All worked out well in the end but wow, I couldn’t design a more inefficient system if I tried.
N
[You have got to stop this thinking nonsense, Matt. It's just not good for you. - Features Editor]
No need to make a F*Ed~eral case out of it…
(ok, I’m done)
Worst moment: arriving in Piazza San Marco on the 4th of August with great excitement just to find out from people in the crowd that the concert was cancelled. I kept thinking “Come on! This is a joke!” until I made my way through the crowd and could read the message left by the organization explaining what had happened.
Worst moment 2: going back to the parking and having to pay 20€ for 1 hour. (plus ferryboat 10€)
Worst moment 3: having to drive 1000km after that.
Best moment: Echoes (Milan 03-24 – the seagulls section. I was awestruck!)
Best moment 2: Fat old sun (Milan 03-24)
Best moment 3: Echoes (Venice – the gallopping horses bit with Rick and David having a great time)
Best moment 4: Then I close my eyes (Venice)
Best- Seeing David and the band at an intimate setting like Massey Hall
Worst – Not being able to get tickets for the kids
Highs and Lows…(II)
Highs:
1. The almost Ninja quality of my fellow Irregulars along with Guy in setting up the surprise.
2. Ian’s Wireman! Fantastic!
Lows:
1. The news of Syd… I’ll never forget where I was when I heard…
Matt Parish,
I read your comment about taking your son to see the show and watching his jaw drop, these are some of the best moments of life eh? you never forget. My daughter was 14 when I took her to her first concert (am I allowed to say who, I’ll whisper, peter gabriel), and I think I watched her more than the concert!
Enjoyed your posts to the competition yesterday, you and Rudders both deserve prizes
ash X
Best – David sayin’ “Yeah, I wondered what was missing” In Gdansk
and the best version of High Hopes i have ever heard and did heard a lot
Worst – Wright spoiling first words of fabulous Comfotably Numb because of mic being too far??
That magical night in Gdansk was absolutely the highest point in my whole year. Maybe of this whole tour.
“ECHOES” was like listening to a dream world for me. I felt like it was the first time I had ever heard it. I don’t understand how the words could sound so intoxicating after all these years. David and Rick’s voices together are the the ultimate mind altering drug.
When David sang On an Island, I could not help but shed a tear. How could anyone sitting in that atmosphere not feel it creep up on them. It was beautiful and soothing after the chaos of getting to the show.
A Great Day for Freedom was so fitting for the people of Poland. I know they had to appreciate hearing that performed just for them personally.
By the way did anyone notice the apartments to the right rear of the stage? Who ever it was up there, they were enjoying what they were hearing cause the lights were being flashed on and off.
The part of this tour I absolutely hated, when all those unfortunate people could not return to see the show in Venice. I was so sorry for them.
Soooo much more that was so right with this show but I won’t comment on it all. If I could have added 1 more song to the show it would have been Fearless. That would have been fitting as well, In my opinion.
Sorry to be so long winded.
Melissa (*_*)
what a fun topic.
best:
1. david going on tour. Never thought i’d get to see my music hero live, never ever
2. every song played on tour was among my favourites esp take a breath and echoes and wots and fat old sun and on the turning away and and and….
3. the blog!
worst
1. syd passing
2. not making it to all the concerts
3. tour ending
i had a massive list going there, but thought naaah too much
howabout a funniest moments list next blog?
mr wyatt saying ‘oh f**k’ mid song has gotta be in the running there!
The best:
*Echoes – I can’t remember last time a song brought tears to my eyes like that one did.
*Comfortably Numb in Gdansk – with the orchestra! Amazing!
The worst:
That David never came to Scandinavia and I had spend some money to go to London and Gdansk. ;-)
/Nicholas
Best: Being at the Royal Albert Hall
Worst: Getting lost after the show and trying to find my way back to the hotel :-)
[I read your comment about taking your son to see the show and watching his jaw drop, these are some of the best moments of life eh? you never forget. My daughter was 14 when I took her to her first concert (am I allowed to say who, I'll whisper, peter gabriel), and I think I watched her more than the concert!]
ash X ~ Very kind of you and I did the same thing you did. Watching Matthew’s face was incredible for me. See, By David actually being David he really has no idea what an honor and thrill it is to see him live or hear new material. To have the opportunity some thirty odd years after I had initially seen Pink Floyd to show my son was truly a magical experience for me.
Since I was unable to see Mr. Gilmour et. al. live, my comments will be different than most of the others.
Biggest positive:
You might not like to hear this, but for me the biggest positive was those who made audio recordings and shared them with others for free. This allowed me to enjoy the shows in a way I could not have otherwise (see below), at least until the DVD is released.
(NB I do think cameras of any sort are terribly distracting at a concert, but I do not find that sort of problem with audio equipment. I understand you might feel otherwise.)
Biggest negative:
The Big Screen Concert. This was very disappointing. Perhaps I set my expectation level too high, but an abbreviated concert and mediocre sound quality in the theatre meant it was barely worth my $10.
The worst: the price of the tickets on the internet sellers (and I mean not (only) Ebay)
The best: going to the RAH one night before my ticket date, and finding some cool english chaps wanting to sell their ticket at face value because one of their friends couldn’t make it that night. 2 times David for me! Kisses to them!
My best moments are:
1. The Jay Leno Show, being that close was awesome
2. Meeting some of the fellow bloggers
3. The blog and Fed
4. Echoes
5. OAI live including take a breathe it rocked!!
6. Polly’s Pics
7. Guy posting
Worst moments:
1. The kids next to me lighting up
2. The drunk girl singing comfortably numb behind me but not knowing the words
That’s it. Just another thank you to David and company. This tour was off the hizzle!!
Renee B.
Fontana, Ca USA
Hi everybody!
Best 1: knowing that I was going to listen to Echoes played alive by David Gilmour and Rick Wright.
Best 2: actually hearing Echoes! Powerful and moving version, second Venice show.
Best 3: looking AROUND and seeing Piazza San Marco while listening to David’s music.
Best 4: looking ABOVE and seeing the stars coming out from the clouds during “Shine on You Crazy Diamonds”, and understanding that the rain was over.
Best 5: Guy Pratt posting in this Forum.
Best 6: David’s soloing alone with the acoustic guitar, second Venice show.
Best 7: recognizing “Arnold Layne” played. Very “60s-ish” version in my opinion! Great!
Best 8: realizing that “Dark Globe” was a very particular, moving and unplanned moment.
Best 9: seeing and hearing top-level musicians playing and enjoying the music like thay were playing at home among friends, mistakes included, no stress or pressure involved.
Best 10: our dear Fed swearing against the Gilmour-Waters bull***t. Great!
Worst: nothing to say.
Ciao!
Nicola
Highs:
- Echoes, musically and visually.
- High Hopes, acoustic guitar picking after slide solo was fantastic.
- meeting fellow bloggers (Heartland Brewery)in NY and London (Queens Arms).
- Nick Mason joining band at RAH.
- Meeting band members at RAH and GP in Salisbury.
-Being part of blog team in mission of glass wireman.
Lows:
- Passing of Syd.
- 2nd night at RAH, fans in adjacent box were out of control and disrespectful.
Best Regards,
Stephen Rado
NY, USA
[[I read your comment about taking your son to see the show and watching his jaw drop, these are some of the best moments of life eh? you never forget. My daughter was 14 when I took her to her first concert (am I allowed to say who, I'll whisper, peter gabriel), and I think I watched her more than the concert!]]
[ash X ~ Very kind of you and I did the same thing you did. Watching Matthew's face was incredible for me. See, By David actually being David he really has no idea what an honor and thrill it is to see him live or hear new material. To have the opportunity some thirty odd years after I had initially seen Pink Floyd to show my son was truly a magical experience for me.]
asx X, Matt, very moving contributions, thanks a lot for sharing!!! I have two sons, aged 7 and 11, and I can understand your emotions very well.
Something similar happened to me the first times that we played some songs together at home.
Nicola
So many highlights, not the least being the pleasure of this blog. It’s been amazing to be a part of this, and to have the chance so often to say Thank You! Thanks to the F.Ed.’s efforts for that…and a shout out to all of you whose regular posts make this such a pleasure.
1) OAL live at Radio City Music Hall. I’d enjoyed the album, certainly, but it wasn’t until I’d heard it live, as David filled it into the masterpiece that it is, that I understood the brilliance of its composition.
2) My most incredible moment of this or any live performance came in Vienne, France. David introduced the guys on wine glasses at the beginning of SOYCD, and then, with a delighted expression on his face, scampered over to the group to have a hand at playing “the glass harmonica” himself for a few moments. The guitar intro that he played to SOYCD for the next few minutes, amidst the wine glasses and Richard on keys, was the most beautiful, subtle, restrained, and softly appropriate bit of music that I’ve ever experienced.
There was too much good in all of this to recall the annoyances.
For me the best moment was when I found a ticket just the day before the show :-)
Jokes apart, they were
- Echoes in the set list, because it was unexpected but eagerly desired
- The tribute to Syd was really moving.
- The opportunity to share our comments and to have a direct contact to the tour, thanks to this website.
The worst moments were
- the bad news about Syd
- The incident at JFK airport.
ciao ciao
Roberto
[ash X, Matt, very moving contributions, thanks a lot for sharing!!! I have two sons, aged 7 and 11, and I can understand your emotions very well. Something similar happened to me the first times that we played some songs together at home. - Nicola]
Thanks Nicola ~
When my mother passed away in January ’05 I found myself playing “Wish You Were Here” over and over again and crying. My son Matthew would sometimes catch me and try to comfort me the best a thirteen year old could. When David played it in concert at Radio City Music Hall I was welling up a bit and without looking at each other I felt Matthew grab my hand as if to say, ” It’s gonna be alright”. And you know what? It was….talk about a priceless moment with your kid
The afternoon of the first night at the RAH when I met with up with my Floydian Internet friends from all around the UK and World, plus spotting my young friend Arnni (who I met on the PF forum that I help to moderate) and his dad from Wakefield in the audience and waving to them through the good bits. Arnni and I are WALL freaks … we discuss every aspect of it and Arnni told me off for not asking David on Tuesday if there was any pukkah footage of it available which could be made into a DVD. Incidentally, Arnni fronts the youngest PF tribute band in the UK.
We fans had a fantastic time meeting up in the pub around the corner from the RAH on all three afternoons prior to the shows.
Here are some other very memorable moments …
Hearing David and Rick jamming out on Echoes on the first night at the RAH. My mouth hung open wide in amazement … it was electrifying! I think Monday saw the best rendition of it.
The acoustic at the end of High Hopes on the first night. Seemed to go on longer than usual … very nice!
Hearing Rick singing on Comfortably Numb and Wearing The Inside Out.
Watching Guy and Phil larking around on stage at the RAH.
Realising what an excellent all round performer Jon Carin is.
Hearing Crosby and Nash singing. What beautiful harmonies!
Sitting in the 5th row on the final night at the RAH – I saw every movement and had joked with my friends that from this vantage point, I was going to storm the stage and sit next to Rick … lol … just kidding again. You probably know by now FEd, that I’ve a soft spot for Rick!
The excellent rendition of Fat Old Sun on the third night at the RAH … everyone on stage looked like they were thoroughly enjoying themselves, particularly Guy and I remember David’s whole face lighting up during the funky bit at the end (and it did sound much funkier than usual). That made me smile big time! Thank you!
Walking up the centre aisle of the RAH arena on the last night, wearing a pink suit and waving to all of my friends in the audience! I felt like the bloody Queen!
Seeing Nick Mason come out on stage on the last night at the RAH … thank God, I’d attended all three shows! Nick looked so happy … it was then that I had to get the tissues out!
Although, I reckon the best thing was being at Abbey Road this Tuesday when I met David! Need I say more …
Hey FEd,
OK, my best and worst moments…
Running into this guy on my way to the bathroom at RCMH the first night who asked me, did you see Graham? I said ummm, nooo, why? You just walked right past him. I just flew David and Graham in for these shows!! I now know just how special these 2 NY shows were suppose to be.
Worst: MY fellow NYers that start the North American leg of the tour off by attacking the band at JFK. If there is ever a second chance to redeem us in everyones eyes, I personally will get some of the good ol’ boys to keep the crowd in check! I know these Italians from Brooklyn that could…lol
Best: Fat Old Sun after Dominoes… not that everything happening up to this point wasn’t mind blowing, it couldn’t get any better or so I thought… the majic seemed to step up a notch here.
OK, the obvious… ECHOES!! ping… oh sh*t! ping… ping… I don’t even know what to say. That was a total sound and lighting orgasm!! OMG Take A Breath should of been kept to be played here! lol
WOW!
Finally, Comfortably Numb…
)
F’ed and all,
With the exception of a few posts, I’ve been a shy lurker all these months. But, indeed, F’ed’s blog is literally my daily morning paper.
If it wasn’t for this wonderful website and blog, I don’t believe I would be half the emotional mess I’ve been –tears, laughter, and all– over the ‘world of OAI’. F’ed, you and your management, and the bloggers have so personalized it for me this year (as I was very sadly unable to attend the tour). But as secondhand witness, I’ve gathered, seen, and heard alot of coverage, and predominant thanks for that goes to this wonderful resource, the DG Blog.
So to contribute to this particular blog episode’s request, I can only offer that my personal highpoint is obviously coming into daily contact with everyone else’s live experiences with ‘Everything OAI’ THROUGH THIS BLOG. (I think it’s really something to me when faceless aliases can come together in written word and leave me literally in tears of sorrow and in tears of joy for the day.)
These last days have indeed been a mixed bag for me, as the OAI journey nears its end. I read your stories and each day grows evermore bittersweet emotionally. Especially today, as I read your reminiscent highs and lows. (The days are swiftly getting harder for me, I believe — how much harder it must be for all of you who have actually had your toe in the waters of the OAI tour?)
LG
xo
[Thank you, LG. That means an awful lot to me. - Features Editor]
oh forgot one other best bit…. telling my GF i told you so when she thought the venice concert was going to be crap ;p
bumping into Floydian leaf was a blast too!
ok that was 2 things.
Caption: ‘there’s nothing else for it guy, if polly finds out we cracked open all of her krystal she will kills us. We’re gonna have to just drink it! *hic*’
Echoes played live? Oh please god let there be a live album off the back of this tour!
Best moments….mmmm…has to be getting my tickets to see El Maestro and his bunch of desperadoes !!!
Echoes…..echoes….unbelievable performance..
…..and hearing Arnold layne again
Thank you to all involved…..and Fed for running such a friendly website
Martin D
Dear Fed, here we are !
for one week you can download our pdf file which the “Oai Tour” dvd project at the following address
Best regards !
Félicien & Bruno
can you just confirm you can open it.. thanks by advance
[I see it. Thank you. It's very nice. - Features Editor]
I went to the RAH on the last night for my 40th birthday, it just doesn’t get any better!!!!
Been there, got the Tshirt and cant wait for the DVD etc.
Thanks
The Best:
Rudders’ captions (esp. 10 foot cows, still lol)
FEd’s pointy sticks
Bianca’s evil grin
The Barn Band
Sheep with beaded necklaces
All those for whom English is not their first language
The fact that we can still post more than 2,000 characters
The competitions
The opinions (thanks Piergiorgio!)
The music
Finding out where my coat is. . .
Oh, who am I kidding. . .it was Echoes. . .
The Worst:
If you can’t say something nice. . .say it to those using phone-cameras during the shows!
Photo caption:
As David swirls the clear liquid around his mouth he thinks, ‘Damn, this turning water into wine thing is harder than I thought!’
Caption Competition
Guy realised too late that DG was showing him his collection of male Siamese Fighting Fish and was not inviting him to drink a new cocktail…
For me, I simply think the euphoria experienced way back in December upon learning that I would have another chance to see this inspirational gentleman and musician perform again is way up there at the top of the list. Of course that pales in comparison to the electrifying performances.
I was fortunate enough to catch 3 venues including the Vienne Amphitheatre performance which I think should definitely be considered amongst the tour’s high points – it seems like there could not be a more appropriate venue for such a performance.
I also think that the presence of this web site should be really high on the list of accomplishments for this tour. This has been a great way to leverage technology in a professional, elegant way to bring together people from all over the world with varying viewpoints and ideas about the artist and his music and performances.
I can’t comment on the whole tour, since I was only able to attend night 13, Toronto, at Massey Hall. Here are what I thought were the best and worst moments of that night.
Best moments:
- Seeing David perform only a few meters away from me. I could almost touch him
And as a BIG bonus, Rick playing the keyboards right next to him! This memory will be etched in my mind forever and ever
- Echoes, of course. Fat Old Sun, and!!!! Wots The Deal (it’s one of my favourite songs and I never thought I’d heard it played live)
- Catching a glimpse of Guy from accross the street before the show started.
Worst moments:
- I can’t complain, the crowd around me behaved beautifully. Okay maybe except for the woman on the balcony desperately trying to get Guy’s attention while dancing weirdly to the tune of Time. But I thought that was more funny than irritating.
- When they turned on the lights and David said bye-bye, and the whole band took the final bow and left the stage…
WOW! So many of you shared some great personal memories and shared such general ones…
I won’t add more, but personal highs and lows I’ve had quite a few….
I’m compelled to share more memories from Abbey Road later when I have more time…
Great post LG….thanks for that…
…and Matt, how about:
F*Eddie Mercury (…that wonderful falsetto on ‘Gilmorean Rhapsody’)
Greetings FEd
BEST —-
ALBUM – having such a great piece of work to promote
RICHARD WRIGHT – having him on the tour and seeing him live was a joy!
THE BLOG
THE BLOGGERS – It’s starts with FEd and that genuine sense of: “Come on in, yes you, right. You are welcome here too.”
KODAK – great show, will live in mind my a long long time.
POLLY’S PHOTOS – again, another glimpse/welcome in
ARNOLD LAYNE – Bowie or not, I dug Richard’s version in LA!
DARK GLOBE – alas, alas. See you Syd.
JON CARIN – his wonderful, moving words about Syd and his music.
WORST —-
SYD BARRETT’S DEATH
AIRPORT – the unhappy arrival in the US( but I did dig Guy getting on the Blog and raisin’HELL though!)
UNNECCESSARY DISTRACTIONS – Moron’s with cell phones that take “movies” and flashes, flashes, flashes …. “sit down you imbecile and lower that phone. The band is 100 feet in front of you!”
DONE TOO SOON – all the best things are. Nothing but happy and grateful for the wonderful tour and album, just wish it were all still here ( ahead), ya know?
Thanks FEd
Peace
John
I don’t know another place to put this message, but I only wanted to ask if there’ll be any CD record of the tour ? Not obviously CD but the DVD of the RAH we’ll not include astronomy domine, dark globe, on the turning away and a great day for freedom, and I’m sure a lot of people would like to listen them… Will there be anything ?
[Well, the DVD could include a great many things, David. There's just so much to choose from. Keep reading and all will be revealed. - Features Editor]
The best part of the tour was the tour itself.
I was lucky to see PF in 88 and never thought I’d get a chance like this again. (This was better!)
Also best was /is this blog!
Thanks David from all of us! (you to FED)
John P in Chicago
Even though i was lucky to catch dave at manchester it still chokes me to think we missed venice more for katrina than myself. ive got oai on this very moment i dont know if im choked because of my thoughts of venice or because the album is just so god dam exellent.
[F*Eddie Mercury (...that wonderful falsetto on 'Gilmorean Rhapsody')]
Brilliant!
Hearing that first *ping* from Rick’s keyboards on Echoes sent shivers right through my spine. To me that song is as close to a perfect song as you can get. BUT, seeing Fat Old Sun and to a slightly lesser extent, Wots…Deal were very special moments. That I list these songs and not the new ones are no reflection on the new, it’s just that these older ones have been favorites for 30 + years and I certainly never thought I’d see them live.
ps: What’s happened to my Hammers? It all leaves a bad feeling in my gut.
Best
-There are too many individual moments to pick from but in the end, it was fantastic to David and Richard (again) playing with a superb band, sharing their skills, sounding fantastic, and seemingly having a great time with family and friends.
Worst
-Waiting for the next show…but wait I will!!
-Craig
Best:
1. Just being there to see DG and the ‘gang’
2. Echoes (again)
3. David Bowie making a surprise appearance (my girlfriend was very excited)
Worst: Turning up slightly late.. (doh)
The best :
- The first night at the Royal Albert Hall with David Bowie singing Arnold Layne.
- Echoes and the wine glasses at Vienne with the beautiful amphitheater ! Sounds like Pompei, awsome sound too !
- The Great Gig In The Sky at the Olympia in Paris with Sam Brown
The worst : Flashing cameras and cell phones in Paris and Vienne (the night at RAH was ok).
But what a wonderfull tour !
The absolutely worst and embarising moment was being refused entrance to the concert march 20 at Amsterdam because my 70 euro Ebay-bought ticket turned out to be fake (It had a cancelled barcode).
The best moment was when a few moments later five minutes before the concert started, someone outside the venue had a spare ticket (10th row!) and sold it to me for a fair price.
So I could ultimitly see DG for the first time in my 26 years (and from a much better seat :-).
Another highlight of the tour I think, is this tour-supporting Blog. well done FED!
……Best—
– OAI….Just a beautiful work of music…at a wonderful point of time in my life…and obiviously David’s as well..timing is everyting.
– Massey Hall….. we were very close, it was personal… the band was exceptional!!!!!.
– The Blog…..Fed…what can you say.. it has been great, really it made me feel “tuned in” a part of something— very sepcial. What I call “The OAI Experience”.
……Worst—
– Not getting tickets to the Manchester show!!! (I’ll regret that one till the very end)
– Those Drunken “dudes” right behind us at the 1st Chicago show….(still up close and personal) but they just didn’t get it!!!
– Now the Wondering/Waiting/Pondering–what will be next …and worst of all..WHENNNN ( very selfish I know! ) Just don’t let to many years slip by…there still lots to give by performing live!!!
I could go on and on..– I won’t, other than to say ( and credit for this one goes to another great — Bob Hope)
“Thanks for the Memories”
BEST:
-Echoes (better then sex)
-Seeing those guys play Live (thought it would never happen)
-Live version of the new album (made it even better!)
-Bowie and Mason at RAH (surprise)
-Watching clips from all the concerts online (great entertainment:)
-The Venice shows was rescheduled so fast (I could still go)
-The stage in Venice didn’t collapse, killing the band during the show(would be the worst)
-Web page and Blog (couldn’t do without)
-DVD of the tour (WOW)
WORST:
-Staying one week extra in Venice all alone (boring and expensive)
-David didn’t play Marooned (killer song!)
-TOUR IS FINISHED!!! (hope to see you again some day)
My memories are numerous about the April 13, Rosemont Theatre show. The 4 notes of Shine have to stand out as one of them.(Some music theororists would say is a G minor13 chord)But I would beg to differ, those are 4 notes that stand alone in the universe over time complimenting each other.
David playing sax, and kicking ass on it,is another moment. Hearing Wots Uh the deal for the first time in my ears EVER,live is another. Of course Echoes.And the Green lasers of Comfortably Numb.
The Ugliest moment for me was navigating the Chicago traffic on good Friday, But it was well worth it.
Cory
Best
-This website and blog. Being able to share experiences has enhanced my enjoyment of the tour immensely (thanks Fed for all your hard work). It’s been great to have input from band members too (thanks Guy). Without the info on the website I wouldn’t have got my ticket…
-Echoes. It ws a dream come true to hear it live.
-Arnold Layne with Rick singing both on Jools Holland and at RAH. It had never been a particular favourite but hearing it live changed my opinion. The band rocked and Rick sang brilliantly.
-Nick Mason playing the encores at the RAH
Worst
-Inappropriate and distracting behaviour by others during the concert.
The best? Nick Mason performing with David’s band on the third RAH night. (Pity I was at the second night!)
The worst? The selfish people who continually took photos despite being asked not to!
Best:
- Sitting beside my lovely wife of 32 years (33 in another week) enjoying every moment of the Sunday night show at Massey Hall.
- The band
- Echoes
- This blog
Worst: Waiting for the DVD
Best -
Hearing the announcement of the band line-up. Especially Rick and Dick Parry.
Winning a ticket to the Mermaid and finally getting to see David and Rick live. A dream come true.
Hearing OAI live.
Hearing Echoes and seeing the incredible lighting after having listened to the song for 20 years, to hear it live was incredible.
Arnold Layne (Both Bowie and Rick’s versions)
The Blog – just having something different to read every single day for nine months is incredible !
Meeting up with fellow bloggers.
And just hearing such fantastic music live !
Worst -
Syd
The end of the tour !
I would just like to say thanks to everyone, David and the band and Fed and everyone at the website for giving us such an exciting time and so much to look forward to this year !
Martin.
Hi FEd,
Best — Being at the Paramount in Oakland, ‘Fat Old Sun’ with the aforementioned acoustic to Strat kick-ass finish, ‘Coming Back To Life’ (both songs being on my wish-list so I was beside myself), ‘Arnold Layne’, and, of course ‘Echoes’! Also, giving a ticket to someone who had never been to any concert before, and seeing the absolute joy in his face afterwards!
Best — Sharing the Kodak trip with my son. Running into Guy pre-concert and, without a second thought, calling out to him like an old friend. Same musical highlights as the Paramount gig, but with the addition of Crosby and Nash!
The Leno show because that was the only time I was close enough to actually SEE David’s digits — I absolutely love watching his hands at work!
Another highlight was meeting up with a bundle of bloggers!!! Erin, Angelo, Susan and others. Which seques into what brought all of these fantastic experiences to be, this site and FEd! If I hadn’t had the good luck to find this sight (thanks again Vicky!!) none of the above could have happened. So, many thanks for the memories to David and Co. and to the Fedmeister! I almost forgot another best — that of being part of the Fedmeister’s Surprise group and communicating with all the great people involved! What fun!
Worst — From my personal experiences, the worst would be people getting up mid-song and milling about and, finally, the ‘Three Women From Brazil’ sitting directly behind my son and I at the Kodak, who felt the need to sing every song at the top of their lungs!
The saddest memory is of Syd …
Peace!
Gabrielle
Washington State
F*Ed ~
Have a great weekend, hope it’s an extended one like ours.
Appreciate your Herculean efforts on this site. If David’s music is the soundtrack to our lives then this Blog is certainly the accompanying diary.
*Raises a glass*
“To F*Ed!”
[Thank you, Matt. You're all too kind. It's your usual too-short two-day weekend here, unfortunately. Last weekend was better. Hope you have a good one. - Features Editor]
Best -
Meeting Guy Pratt at the bar before the Oakland show. He was kind and generous with his time.
Echoes. Enough said. The poll should be for the second best thing, because Echoes wins hands down.
Richard Wright. Pure musical genius.
Worst – Not taking off work and driving down for the Leno taping.
I have to go with Echoes too. An unbelievable experience that I wish I could repeat. I only hope it’s half as good on the DVD.
It’s too pathetic to be a bad moment so the slight point of concern was whether the tube would still be running at the end of RAH third night. But there was no way we were leaving.
The best-Nick Mason,David, Rick at RAH
The worst-Syd’s death
Come on Fed, I told you I am sorry, what do you want?
Realy realy sorry, you are right I was a morron, didn’t to answer like that, I just thought you might knew what would David do next.
[I'm afraid not, mate. The DVD needs some work, but the main thing is that it's back to being a full-time husband and father for Mr G. - Features Editor]
FEd,
Off topic but what were the four words for the Blue competition? I saw the winner announced but no metion of the words.
Thanks.
Andrew
[A little problem with the blog software forbade it, unfortunately. However, my words were: Bobbing, Lovely, Undulating and Easy. - Features Editor]
Best
-A great new album. What a thrill to set down and listen to it the first time-a major event in my house! Haven’t done that with new music in a long time.
-Seeing David live and up close in Chicago-had doubts that would ever happen again.(BTW,I may be in the minority,but after that show I was hoping David would keep doing what he’s doing and we could all quit worrying about a giant Pink Floyd reunion).
-This website.It’s just made everything else all the better.
Worst
-Only the handful of people who seemed to think David was there just to entertain them and to hell with everybody else…ah well,forget about all that…
What a great year!
Regarding what you said about Mother Nature,Fed, I think she will “Take It Back” but we are in for quite a bit of punishment first.
[I never win but I'll play along anyway!-Deborah]
Me too. Yet some people have won more then once. I think you should make it like other contests, that once you win, you cann’t win again for 90 days or something.
Here’s my list in no particular order . . .
BEST:
*The Blog (The good, the bad and everything in between
*Meeting Bloggers/Friends
*Meeting and having a brew with Guy
*Echoes (of course)
*Being there the 1st time they play Arnold Layne
*Being at the Jay Leno Show (I could have touched David’s feet, I was so close!)
*Having 3rd row seat (worth every cent, and it was a lot of cents =)
*AOL sessions of “High Hopes”
WORST:
*JFK – Guy must have a lot of patience, I would have knocked that guy out, don’t mess w/ my kids.
*Syd’s passing
*That stupid teenage who intercepted the drumstick that Steve threw directly at me!!!
*Having to change a flat tire at 1 AM on a busy highway on the way home from the concert.
*The problems in Venice and the people that ended up not being able to attend the rescheduled dates.
*Not meeting David or getting his autograph.
~Erin
Off topic: I have an infection from my surgery and may have to have another one to correct a possible mistake.
Roberto
Congratulations!… well done :-)
Definitely the best for me was ‘Echoes’, specially the super quite part after the freakout and the constant notes with the palm mute… giving birth to the mystical explosion of lasers and the triads played by Dave. Damn, I still get the chills…
Worst moment… knowing the Latin American market is not quite large enough to deserve a Dave’s concert. I’m not complaining, though it would be awesome if Mexico and Brazil were ‘blessed’ with such an event. I’ve seen a lot of requests from Brazilian fans and I’m very confident a David Gilmour concert will sell in a day in Mexico. I’ve been told the Mexico City concerts during the Division Bell tour on ’94 were total fulls and that it’s been a life experience for most of the people I’ve heard it from. Well, it’s just a thought…
And it would be a terrible mistake if I did not include the time I’ve spent on this blog as a high! I would say this was one of the most important things on the tour if not for me, for many. Being repetitive, thanks for everything Fed.
Shine on you crazy bloggers!
The best – Nick Mason joining on stage at RAH!
The worst – Gilmour dropping the slide during “Smile” on the first night in Chicago!
The best part? You’ve got to be kidding me. The best part is David playing live music again!!!!
The worst part is when drunk hooligans are too stupid to apprecitate it and thus they ruin the moment for themselves and those around them.
David take all the time you need but please (not to sound like a complete wanker, but whatever) come out and play again some day in the future.
Thank YOU very much indeed, good night to you
Best:
* David coming to Poland for Solidarity celebrations, thank you David, it is a honour to us that an artist like you took part in celebrations of something very important in our history
* Echoes – Ok, for times I had dreamt of seeing any of the Floyds playing live but I had never even dreamt of hearing Echoes live… it was beyond my imagination and I loved every second of it in Gdansk
* Wots Uh The Deal – Cute song, one of my quiet favourites, as with Echoes I never expected to hear it performed live, seemed a forgoten piece, so what a nice surprise from Dave to perform it
* Meeting people going to Gdansk from all corners of Poland in trains, talking about Pink Floyd, wondering what we were going to see, feeling the atmosphere of waiting for truly special moments of our lives
* Young Floyd Army – in Gdansk every 3 of 4 people were under their 30s, I think there’s no other band from times of our parents that has got so many fans among young people, tells much how special Pink Floyd, no matter David or Roger, and their timeless music are
* The Blog and wonderful feeling of community it’s been generating
Worst:
* The quality of sound in the further areas of Gdansk concert, people were complaining it was too quiet and the press mentions it as well as the only negative side of the concert, I’m glad I were right by the stage
* Some people in the crowd who probably only knew ABITW and WYWH and seemed disinterested for most of the show (thankfully there were only few of them)
Greetings from Krakow!
Marcin
Wow I hate to sound like everyone else, but for me the highlight of my LIFE, not just this tour, was seeing DG live, which I never thought would happen, then to hear/see him play ECHOES, well, that was damn near orgasmic for me.
ECHOES has always been a fave of mine, I can listen to that song over and over and over. As a matter of fact, when my ashes are tossed into the Atlantic Ocean, ECHOES will be my send-off song. Highlight, indeed.
Love,
elizabeth
Best…. Attending the RAH on the 29th and 30th and hearing the best live rock show ever. Echoes and Wots.. will stay with me forever
Worst…. No Live CD of the concerts