Roger Waters - Dark Side of the Moon

[n1 gull]

I've just read in the Sunday Times an advert for Roger Waters, at Earls Court. It has the very understated "Creative Genius of Pink Floyd" tag line.

How much do you think that will wind up the other members of the band? I hope he's taking the piss, but alas I reckon he's just disappeared up his own arse.

 

[algie]

The band just wasn't the same without him

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Remember a TV interview from about six months back when Gilmour referred indirectly to him as one of the many 'passengers' in the history of the band (or something similar anyway).

RW: I think I'd consider myself as more than a passenger!

 

[NMH]

Gilmour was a self-confessed passenger in the Floyd for much of the 70's, during their most classic productions. Waters is rightfully the creative genius for that era of The Pink Floyd.

If we are comparing periods, then Syd would take the trophy for the first couple of years, when Gilmour wasn't in the band, and then Gilmour would take it for the last period, when Waters wasn't in the band.
Personally I like the Waters-less Pink Floyd as much as what was before that.

It's good that they talk themselves up, the potential for even more good music to come out of it is ever more likely.

 

[NMH]

Remember a TV interview from about six months back when Gilmour referred indirectly to him as one of the many 'passengers' in the history of the band (or something similar anyway).

RW: I think I'd consider myself as more than a passenger!

That's an odd one. I have read the other band-members calling his bass-playing ability poor, and he hasn't got a renown for instrumental prowess in that department whereas Gilmour is probably the more adept instrumentalist in the band. Syd Barrett probably preferred to play long meandering instrumental tunes live, to hide his lack of ability on guitar.
On recent tours, The Pink Floyd brought Tim Renwick into the group for his ability on lead guitar.

For the composing and recording of Dark Side, WYWH and The Wall, I read that the rest of the band basically came in and 'sessioned' their parts after Roger Waters had laid out the tracks for them on tapes he had worked on.

It's a bit disappointing to hear bands squabble, but the artistic sharing of material rights is usually going to be uneven, and then the dividing of royalties becomes an issue, as well as egos coming into play.

The WHO managed to concede to the fact that Townshend was the composer, and that was that. They had royalties purely for the composer, and then divided royalties for the band-members - not much to dispute there.
The Rolling Stones manage to sustain writing between Jagger and Richard, without squabbling. Lennon and McCartney didn't get by so well, apparently, and so the most prolific band ever, disintegrated, followed by vitriolic rumours quotes and songs (i.e. Lennon's 'Steel and Glass' aimed at Paul and Linda).

So many bands cite their formative hard-working years of slogging, trying to get famous and sell records, as their happiest times. It's probably because they didn't dwell on who was doing more work, who should get more money etc. They were probably more likely to stand against managers and record companies than each other.

 

[dougdeep]

Why don't these ageing rockers just retire and leave it to the kids?

 

[jevs]

Good posts NMH.

Have you read "Inside out" by Nick Mason....that certainly allays many misconceptions about the band, including the one about "shine on" being written for Syd Barrett.

IMHO, floyd are just not complete without Waters but their 1994 world tour icluding the 11 nights at Earls Court were simply breathtaking (buy the DVD "pulse" for those who want to see Floyd at their very best live....minus Waters)

 

[desprateseagull]

any news is good news., i guess.

 

[Dover]

Can I just give a couple of facts, please.

On Dark Side of the Moon, Gilmour, has four co credits, and three on Wish You Were Here, two of my favourite albums. Yes the lyrical content may well be Walters, but he is not the hole of the parts.

For me Gilmour is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. I also love the surprise I get when I have listened to a new album, and heard his playing, as a session musician.

I will also admit this though. I love the new Gilmour album. Class.

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Still bloody awesome, whatever he's described as

 

[Eggmundo]

Went last night and was blown away...saw Floyd on the Division Bell tour at Earls Court and seriously believed nothing would ever come close but last night was totally amazing, more Floyd than Floyd, the rawness and passion brought each piece truly to life.
The Prism with the multicoloured lasers at the end of the show was awesome! I can't get over how good it was..The man is a god

 

[cheeseroll]

Good posts NMH.

Have you read "Inside out" by Nick Mason....that certainly allays many misconceptions about the band, including the one about "shine on" being written for Syd Barrett.

IMHO, floyd are just not complete without Waters but their 1994 world tour icluding the 11 nights at Earls Court were simply breathtaking (buy the DVD "pulse" for those who want to see Floyd at their very best live....minus Waters)

Jevs, you said this before and i read Masons book but where was it stated it was not about Barrett ??

Insie Out was a very good read though and thanks for the recommendation.

 

[NMH]

Pink Floyd are a strange band in every way. Their originator and composing genius 'dropped out' with a thud. The one who then grew into the composing leadership was the least musically adept, needing the talents and understanding of the other bandmates, not least of which was Syd's replacement. He then found the rest of the band unbearable, by which time he could attract the best musicians of our time to assist his solo efforts - whilst begrudging the remaining members of The 'Floyd their right to keep the band going....and going stronger than where he left them.

Personally, I'd call Waters a bit of a spent force artistically.

 

[e77]

I saw him at Earls Court on Friday. Great show. Post Syd Floyd was at it's best when Waters sense of theatre merged with Gilmour's musicianship (Comfortably Numb springs to mind).

 

[Dandyman]

 

[Starry]

My parents went last night and said he was really good. The second half especially.

 

[e77]

My parents went last night and said he was really good. The second half especially.

Dark Side Of The Moon in it's entirety was superb.

 

[NMH]

Dark Side Of The Moon in it's entirety was superb.

First ever airing, was at The Brighton Dome
Apparently the backing effects tapes malfunctioned, but since no-one in the audience had heard it before, we didn't notice

 

[Icy Gull]

Dark Side Of The Moon in it's entirety was superb.

How was the none Floyd stuff, bloody depressing dirge I'll bet ? Mind you apart from a couple of tracks the Wall had the same effect on me, pretty sure that was nearly 100% Waters with very little input from the others?

 

[Badger]

My mate saw Waters in Auckland and said it was a spectacular performance, the best he has seen. I would like to see it myself but as with anything Pink Floyd related it is a bit overpriced.