Posted by When the announcement was made that David Gilmour was once again going to be performing at Madison Square Garden, I was a bit hesitant. We had seen him perform 8 years ago when he brought his Rattle That Lock tour to MSG so perhaps I thought that performance couldn’t be out-done. I also figured that he’d be performing songs from his new release, Luck and Strange which would only mean that more classic hits would be removed from the setlist. Songs like “Money”, “Us & Them”, “Dogs of War”, “On the Turning Away” and of course “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” which had previously been a staple to his repertoire! But as much and I love those songs, I actually didnt miss them. From the first note of “5 AM” from RTL to his crescendoing solo of “Comfortably Numb” the sold out crowd sat in awe; completely mesmerized. Each and every song was not only played so effortlessly, but with every ounce of emotion Mr Gilmour could pour into each note. He made us feel what he was feeling.
As I sat there waiting for the house lights to dim, I was reminded from a photographer’s point of view, how much I dont like “Smaze”, the mixture of Smoke & Haze that was billowing out over the crowd, especially since there was no pre-show stage lighting. It soon dawned on me that this was indeed going to be a lighting spectacle as David Gilmour and Pink Floyd are known for. And although the lighting/laser show didnt disappoint, I often wondered how the hell could David actually sing through the cloud of smoke? It should also be mentioned, Smaze was being blown into the air at the sound board as well, which was about a mile from the stage! But all kidding aside, to get the full effect of the laser/light show, the arena had to be filled with smoke.
Mr Gilmour and the band began the night approximately at 7:45p, shortly after bassist Guy Pratt addressed the crowd about cell phones and how annoying they are when patrons try to take pictures using the flash. But do you think people would listen?
The first set ended after 75 minutes and after a 30 minute break, the house was once again filled with plumes of smaze. Mr Gilmour started his second set with “Sorrow”, which for this DG/PF fan and decibel level set at about 110 dB’s, I was in complete awe!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention, Romany Gilmour, has joined her father on this brief tour, and was exceptional in her contributions. Singing “Between Two Points”, playing the mini-harp from the Luck and Strange album, and joining The Webb Sisters along with Louise Marshall on “Great Gig In The Sky”, set with mini-grand by candle-light in an intimate setting, complete with slide guitar solo, something which Ive never previously heard was quite maudlin.
Of course the high-light of all high-lights, David closing out the night with Comfortably Numb. I’m sure, like a lot of people, this song has a special meaning; I’m no different. And I guess you could say Ive been “chasing the dragon” of sorts when it comes to the best solo ever played in my humble opinion. I remember hanging out with my buddy, Ted at the time, watching Mtv when they actually play videos when “Comfortably Numb” comes on from Pink Floyd’s Delicate Sound of Thunder DVD. It may have something to do with the particular party favor I had just smoked, but that solo just blew me away. Add the special effects and lighting, I was hypnotized. That solo has meaning to me, it speaks to me and indeed makes me feel, Comfortably Numb.
Here are a few highlights from the 2nd night of Luck & Strange performing at Madison Square Garden, 11.04.24
SET 1:
5:A.M.
Black Cat
Luck & Strange
Speak to Me
Breathe(In the Air)
Time
Breathe(Reprise)
Fat Old Sun
Marooned
A Single Spark
Wish You Were Here
Vita Brevis
Between Two Points
High Hopes
SET 2:
Sorrow
The Piper’s Call
A Great Day For Freedom
In Any Tongue
The Great Gig In The Sky
A Boat Lies Waiting
Coming Back To Life
Dark & Velvet Nights
Sings
Scattered
ENCORE:
Comfortably Numb
Long Island Sounds 