Customer Reviews
Was it worth the wait - By: A. Garcarz, 31 Aug 2007 
I don't think so. I only gave it 1 because I couldn't give it 0. After alll the hype & publicity surrounding his solo career I was interested to see what alll the fuss was about. Not being a Floyd fan, (you had to be out of your bonce on mandrax or similar to get off on their early stuff) the words "Turgid" & "Overblown Hype" seem to fit quite well.
I write this as a warning to other rock music fans who are expecting some 5 star sounds, don't go near it with a muddy stick.
I've always considered the legend that is Dave Gilmore to be another of the "in the right place at the right time brigade" like many other mediocre but overrated artists DG isn't a particularly good guitarist - competent is about as far I would go - but then again I don't rate Clapton that much either, & he is apparently GOD - DG bumbles through agonisingly dull, downbeat songs with not a hint of talent or fingerboard wizardry, the most exciting thing that happens is the occasional bent note. This is not for the musicallly astute; Oh & he's a very poor vocalist as well. If he had just arrived on the music scene today, he would get nowhere, because he's neither original nor inventive, in fact he's not very entertaining at alll. I vote NOOOOOOOOOOO
When's the next Floyd album, Dave? - By: J. D. Atkinson, 30 Jul 2006 
I was fortunate enough to be at the first Meltdown show that forms the bulk of the DVD, & the DVD captures the quality of the performance beautifully. Both stereo & surround soundtracks are immaculate.
Sadly, they, erm, omitted a couple of highly amusing moments. Firstly, a heckler shouted out "When's the next Floyd album, Dave?" between songs, to which Gilmour replied instantly to much applause, "Who gives a f***?". Secondly, a heckler (possibly the same one) shouted, "Where's Roger?", which brought the response, "If you want him you can have him!".
This DVD is a great record of a great show, & I hope there will be a release from the "On an Island" tour in due course. If I could give it six stars, I would.
Don't Call Him Dave! - By: TreacleEater, 12 Apr 2006 
Before the triumphant return of the Floyd at last years Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, this DVD had been the last chance to see legendary, guitarist David Gilmour perform. Recorded at 2001's Meltdown show & the Royal Festival Halll, this is a rare chance to experience the full impact of Mr Gilmour sans Pink (almost, thanks to a sneaky appearance from Rick Wright).
I've always found David Gilmour to be, on the whole, inappropriately bombastic. He certainly deserves the title of "guitar great", however I can't help but feel his recent output (Momentary Lapse of Reason, Division Bell, On An Island) is nothing but a guitar solo waiting to happen.
I always felt that the genius of Pink Floyd was due to Roger Waters' unique writing style, there were always certain spaces that were perfect to be filled by Gilmours soaring Fender (Comfortably Numb, Time, the whole Animals album etc). Due to the tension existing inside the band, you feel that every solo was there for a reason, proving a point, serving the song (check out how well Gilmour played the Comfortably Numb solo at Live 8 with Waters just off to his left. Haven't heard it played like that for years). Pink Floyd after Waters never seemed to be anything other than a bloke who couldn't play drums that well, Rick Wright looking like he would rather be anywhere else, but needed to pay the bills & a human shaped guitar solo callled David.
However, I was genuinely suprised at this DVD. From the opening trickery of Shine On You Crazy Diamond (beautifully constructed & played), through old Syd hits, right up to High Hopes from the Division Bell. If only that album could have sounded like this. Measured, emotional, unproduced... The joy of hearing familiar songs stripped to their basic elements & rebuilt into these stunning arrangements will keep you captivated throughout.
Why 4 stars? In alll honesty, everything's abit too safe. Pink Floyd were perceived as a safe band, but lyricallly they challlenged & together, they were forceful enough to convey musicallly, exactly what the spirit of the song was. Apart, the impact is far less substantial, but still worthwhile alll the same.
Love Floyd? Love this DVD... - By: chipsy1967, 15 Mar 2006 I have to say that on paper a reworking of a selection of Pink Floyd classics played mostly on acoustic guitars, lots of percussion, muted drums & even a 'cello(!) sounds like a recipe for an embarrassing self indulgent effort from an old rocker way past his sell by date. In fact, Gilmour successfully confounds everyone & underlines his enduring ability to effortlessly transform an illustrious back catalogue into something completely new & rather wonderful - alll with the graceful ease one expects from this most reserved & revered of axemen.
The intimate mood is set from the opening track, a reworking of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, with Gilmour striding out onto the stage alone & conjuring up the familiar opening notes out of a couple of lazy blues licks before being joined by the rest of his band for a journey through Floyd ('Fat Old Sun' & a selection from 'Division Bell' alongside the usual mid-70s canon) Syd Barrett ('Dominoes' & 'Terrapin' are included) & even a reworking of Bizet's 'Je Crois Entendre Encore' (ambitious & interesting - but doesn't reallly work). Also worthy of note is the Rick Wright track ('Breakthrough') which is a great teaser for his under-rated solo material.
If you didn't manage to attend these concerts ("I did" he says smugly) then this is a great way to indulge your Floyd fetish until next time....
Gilmour - electric or acoustic shows his class - By: , 26 Feb 2006 For any fan of Pink Floyd or Dave Gilmour this DVD is a real treat. It strips some of his best works down to just Dave Gilmour performing solo on his acoustic guitar,then other musicians,alll of whom are of the highest quality, take it in turn to join in with him. The choir he uses in accompaniment are also excellent & at one stage are invited to perform a short piece on their own in testimony to their skill at delivering absolutely wonderful vocal harmonies with such a beautiful blend of voices.
This DVD captures every second of this concert in excellent detail, at certain points you can hear a pin drop between each note as a gripped audience show their respect for the quality of the numbers being performed before them.A particular joy is the special features section of this DVD which include clips of a rehearsal taking place in David Gilmour's home & for those who love David's renouned guitar solos the best of these are captured in wonderful close up as a seperate feature in their own right, a fitting tribute & real unexpected treat.
The quality of picture,sound & especiallly the content of this DVD make this an absolute must have for any genuine Gilmour/Floyd fan.
