Musical Interlude

Roaming about here I found this marathon version of 'Comfortably Numb' for Robin. It was released on David Gilmour's DVD 'Remember That Night'; recorded at London's Royal Albert Hall in May 2006. Released August 2007. This features vocals by David Bowie. (Beware the laser effects - they almost put me into a seizure.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM0Pl80Zf00&feature=related

JPW's and my favourite track from Gilmour's 'On An Island' CD - 'Take A Breath'. Video from an AOL Sessions recording done in New York two days before Lynda and I saw him perform at Toronto's Massey Hall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KboVg6SEABM&feature=related

Back to the DVD for a short vocal 'Find The Cost Of Freedom' with David Crosby and Graham Nash. Beautifully done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Y0SMitMpk

I've run out of time - see ya!

Just Because I Can '3'.......

..... and that's all there is to it. I can so I will......

If you just can't stand fantastic guitar playing you are in the wrong place. This may fool you though because I have to admit - I've been on a Jeff Beck kick for quite a long time now. It was time to change it up tonight and I found something that fit with this time of night....as in late. This isn't high energy or fast paced but it is beautiful and beautifully played.

It is David Gilmour playing 'Marooned' (from his 'On An Island' CD release) live at the Strat Pack Concert.

David Gilmour Premiere

In an historically significant technological first David and his incredible team pulled off a marvel - the first ever satellite simulcast in 5.1 surround sound from England to 162 theatres in North America incorporating a live feed of David playing 'Castellorizon', segueing into the DVD broadcast of 'Remember That Night'. We saw an editted version of what will be available on the DVD as of Tuesdays release. Following the music portion of the broadcast we were taken back live to Brixton where bandmate Phil Manzanera emceed a Q & A session with David who fielded questions submitted to the blog on his website. (Phil should stick to writing, producing and playing music - an emcee he isn't; sorry Phil.) [The best question was asked by a 13 year old girl from Florida regarding David's music and lyric writing process.]

Both Lynda and I were moved by the performance; there were a number of 'hair-raising' moments throughout. Beautiful music played brilliantly. A couple of highlights; Graham Nash and David Crosby reprising their vocal contribution to the title track 'On An Island', then sticking around for another few tunes. An incredible rendition of an early Pink Floyd tune 'Arnold Layne' with a cameo vocal by David Bowie - he owned that song. Other standout songs: 'Blue', 'Time', 'Echoes', 'Take A Breath'. And, of course, the common thread throughout, David Gilmours seamless, fluid, seemingly effortless guitar playing.

Via his website and its blog there have been great pains taken to include his fans on the journey right from the recording of the album and straight through the tour. Before and after the simulcast documentary footage was shown from the tour showing a variety of their stops. Many thanks to David and his entire team for taking us on the road. It was a blast. Time for you to enjoy a holiday with Polly and the kids, David.

I'll be picking up my copy of the DVD come Tuesday; it'll be a terrific keepsake and reminder of when the tour stopped at Toronto's Massey Hall back in April '06. Our favourite concert ever.

Music News

Lo and behold, I hadn't checked David Gilmour's website for a few weeks and damned if they haven't announced a release date for his DVD from his 'On An Island' tour. This show was recorded at Royal Albert Hall and runs 85 minutes. The DVD will be released Sept 18 here in North America but will be premiered via HD simulcast in theatres Saturday Sept 15 @ 3p.m. Eastern Time. For local showings go to his website - davidgilmour.com - click on the DVD tab and scroll down to either U.S. or Canadian listings.

Out of all the shows Lynda and I have seen together, this is the one we agree on as having been the best of the lot - back in April '06 at Massey Hall in Toronto. Our butts will be in the seats for the movie theatre showing and I'll likely be at my local music shop on the 18th to pick up my copy of the DVD.

Oh - and just in case you don't know who he is - SHAME ON YOU !!!! Find out.

On Another Note Entirely

Ah, music!! Glorious music!! From a very early age I've loved it; loved the way in which it can transport me. An ongoing frustration in life is that I've never been able to cotton on to playing an instrument. I relate it to people having a facility for learning languages other than their native tongue - I just don't get it and will remain unilingual. (heaving sigh) That certainly doesn't stop me from appreciating it though. When I hear what I conceive to be greatness I have a physiological reaction to it - all the hair on my forearms stands up. Whether it's pumping out of my Bose surround system at home or in a live concert setting, it's the same.

Lynda and I try to get to at least 1 major concert a year - 3 years ago it was Jeff Beck at Massey Hall; 2 years ago Alison Krauss & Union Station at Convocation Hall at the U of T; and earlier this year April 9 at Massey Hall, David Gilmour's show in support of his 'On An Island' release.

When 'OAI' was released I liked it but it didn't bowl me over; I'd waited so long for it. It wasn't until we saw & heard it performed that I came to love it and really 'get' it. A half dozen times thru the show I nudged Lynda and held up my arm to show her; she beamed me her loveliest of smiles, laughed her musical laugh and nodded like a champ. It's an incredibly finely crafted piece of work - well written by David and his wife Polly Samson, ably produced by David and Phil Manzanera(sp?) of Roxy Music fame, and the musicianship is outstanding. Journeymen at their finest. David is exceptional on lead guitar, lap steel, hawaiian and incredibly making his debut on sax. I hope there are plans in the works for a DVD. For a sample there are a number of studio performances at aolmusic.sessions archives that were done in New York on April 7. Brilliant!!

Periodically I go on binges for a particular artist - lately it's been Jeff Beck. I've loved his playing since he released 'Truth' back in about '68 and have followed his career thru the years. He played a stellar show here in 2002 and I was hugely disappointed that he has no Canadian dates on his current tour. The good news is that he is working on a new release as he tours. I managed to track down his latest release - an 'official' bootleg (oxymoron) - at sonymusic.com. It's available by web order only, was recorded at B. B. King's Blues club and has 18 tracks. When I saw him he had Jennifer Batten playing 2nd guitar and they put on a great show. I've spent way too much time on YouTube watching videos of him. Highly recommended - 'Declan' and 'Cuz We've Ended as Lovers'.

Alison Krauss & Union Station - probably the finest bluegrass band around. Alison's lead vocals and virtuoso fiddle playing knock me out. Jerry Douglas on guitar/dobro - outstanding. Way too many fine songs to name but 'I'm the Lucky One' comes immediately to mind. There's a DVD of one of those tour dates, from the Ryman Auditorium I think - I must pick it up.

The latest CDs that I have are Bob Dylan's 'Modern Times' and Tom Petty's 'Highway Companion'. For a great review of Modern Times see Glen's post - I know he'll be impressed when I say 'I concur'. lol. I need a few more listens to Highway Companion but the lead off track is great - 'Saving Grace'.