Pink Floyd Pulse DVD

[Noddy]

Anyone picking up a copy as it is released today? I will have mine this evening and i'll be off to the home theatre for a couple hours. For those that don't know which concert it is details are below.

PINK FLOYD'S PULSE DVD - IN DETAIL

Pink Floyd's PULSE DVD
The 2DVD release of one of Pink Floyd's stunning 1994 concerts at London's Earls Court has been a long time coming. PULSE hits the stores in most countries at the start of next week, and is sure to be a big seller.

Constant delays have fuelled the bootleggers market for the release, with sites such as eBay rife with copies of the original VHS and laserdisc versions, converted to DVD format with varying degrees of success.

To counter this, much work has been undertaken to look at how best to present the main features, and what added value could be provided. (To see what is included, the detail is in our news report of June 1st which has the full tracklisting and list of extras)

We know that a lot of work was done to try and render an acceptable widescreen (16:9 format) picture, bearing in mind the new breed of high quality, large widescreen displays, but as the concert itself was shot in 'fullscreen' format (4:3, or standard TV screen shape), this would have meant compromise with the finished product: a cropping of the top and bottom of the picture.


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As with anything, first impressions matter. Upon picking up the packaging, one cannot fail to be impressed with the subtle quality and sense used in the presentation. A digipack with a new cover shot, and a pocket inside backed with a live shot - coupled with a single tray holding both discs. If anything this holds the discs too snugly. I had concerns that the disc could snap or crack whilst trying to wrestle it out. Maybe there's a knack to it.

In the pocket, there's a nicely done eight-page booklet, fronted by the alternate "eyes" shot from the forest that some of you will be familiar with. Inside are the DVD/concert credits, plenty of small live shots, and, sensibly, a map showing you how to get to the many extra features on the two discs.

Popping the discs into the player further shows the effort of designers Storm Thorgerson and Peter Curzon, who have also done all the menu work. Lots of moving elements, and symbolic images - a very polished look and feel at all stages of the navigation process.


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One of the decisions you need to make early on, concerns the sound quality. This is the first disc we've come across with two Dolby Digital 5.1 audio streams - a 448kbps stream, and a 640kbps stream - which you can select between for the concert itself. Not all DVD players can cope with the higher bitrate, but if yours can, use it! There is a clear difference in the sound quality.

Especially in the higher bitrate stream, the sound is rich and lush. All five channels get a good workout, with rear channels used sensibly, and the LFE channel makes, in particular, Guy's bass very punchy and precise, driving the music along well. It also makes tracks like One Of These Days and Run Like Hell a stunning assault on the senses!

The mix also reveals subtlety of detail that have previously been completely submerged - delicate keyboard parts from messrs Wright and Carin can now be heard, for example.

The time that James Guthrie (in particular) has spent working on the sound certainly seems to have paid off.


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For those who have not seen PULSE, or didn't get to see the 1994 tour, the first half of the show as presented here consists of a selection of tracks going back as far as the aforementioned One Of These Days, and go right up to the then newly-released Division Bell album. The second half is DSOTM, and encores include Comfortably Numb and Wish You Were Here.

This review isn't going to analyse the performance of the tracks. Suffice it to say, the band were at the end of a large run of shows, so knew the material well - reflected in the quality of the musicianship.

The concert serves as a reminder of how good and how powerful the 1994 tour was. It's also a showcase for what is possibly visually - an impressive testament to the work of Marc Brickman and his team.

The recording itself has undergone some re-editing, and all the footage has been tweaked/restored. The result is a crisp, colourful picture, full of detail - so much so that you can even see the hairs on David's arms in certain shots. There's no sign of any digital artifacts, or clumsy edge enhancement. With the exception of various haircuts and styles, this could be a present day recording: it is that good.


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OK, let's turn to the extras now. Like the concert, these are split over both discs, and each disc's extras are appropriate to the music heard in that half of the show.

Disc one's extras start with "Bootlegging The Bootleggers", which brings you audience shot footage of What Do You Want From Me?, On The Turning Away, Poles Apart, and Marooned. These are all taken from different sources, and married up with desk recordings of those songs from the shows in question. Very sadly, Astronomy Domine DOESN'T make it onto the DVD, not even in this section. From the hundreds of emails we've had on the subject, this was one track that people were desperate to see included amongst the extras.

Nevertheless, turning back to the songs that ARE included, a nice job has been done in blending the various shots (some wobblier than others!) and it was a good idea to use the desk sound to bring it all together.

Next up are the screen films for SOYCD, High Hopes and Learning To Fly. These are synched up to the concert audio, and present the "Mr Screen" footage in its entirety for these tracks. On disc two, you have all the DSOTM screen films (upgraded with plenty of CGI) plus the alternate versions, including an edited version of my favourite, the 'alien' Money film.

You also get the promo videos for Learning To Fly and High Hopes. Not sure why these and not others from the era, such as One Slip and On The Turning Away, but there you go. Completing the promos is the one minute TV ad for PULSE - and a very worthy inclusion it is too.

The final segment on disc one is a collection of "Tour Stuff". You get maps - which show you where all the shows were (not interactive); you get the list of tour dates in "Itinerary"; and you get "Stage Plans". This is the most interesting part of the section (by far!) - you see a stack of 20 pre-production technical drawings, concept sketches and ideas, including what is called the 'band environment module' which does call to mind the Spinal Tap cocoon!


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Time to swap discs. Disc two, as mentioned above, gives you the DSOTM films, in all their variations. The alternate Speak To Me is plainly bizarre, and hilarious. Did this ever get shown live? Certainly the 'alien' Money did, even if most people I've spoken to over the years have drawn a blank when I've mentioned it. Sadly, this entertaining homage to B-movies with a serious underlying message, is not shown in its entirety, being cut possibly even before half way through - and is presented here without its original soundtrack, which was a much longer cash register loop, supplemented with sounds of sawing wood, ray guns, and more. Disappointing.

On a brighter note, "Say Goodbye To Life As We Know It" is a fascinating 15-minute home movie shot by one of the crew. Seriously amateur filming techniques at times, it gives a down-to-earth view behind the scenes, as a member of the crew. Lots of footage of various band members at work and play - including shots of both Polly and David juggling flaming torches!

The photo gallery gives you no less than 64 shots taken at various shows; mostly, though, from Earls Court. Included is a nice picture of the late Douglas Adams who joined the band one night to provide supplemental guitar duties during one of the songs. The soundtrack for this section is the 1994 ambient pre-show tape - nice to have this included on the DVD, as it was previously only available on the PULSE cassette, and now you get it in surround sound, too.

What else is there? Well, you get Billy Corgan's induction speech for the 1996 Hall Of Fame event, along with Billy, David and Richard performing Wish You Were Here.

The "Cover Art" section is a bit of an oddity - a selection of album cover images, the odd tour poster image, and so on. Maybe this would have been more interesting with a larger selection of images, including some unused versions or international variations, rather than the few, chiefly familiar images? Finally, you have the "Additional Credits", which appear to have been lifted straight from the tour programme (right down to the programme printer's details) - still, it is good for the many unsung heroes (stage crews, truckers, etc.) to get a credit on the DVD. After all, without them...


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As you can see from the above, the PULSE DVD is absolutely stuffed with material. The quality of the concert itself is stunning - visually and aurally - and the extras have something for everyone. Sure, there are things that one would like to see included that didn't make the final version (Astronomy Domine being at the top of many people's lists) but it wouldn't be possible, or practical, to cater for everyone's wishes.

From various comments made over the years, the band were keen for this to be seen as one of the best music DVDs ever released. I think they've succeeded admirably. Again, Pink Floyd have raised the bar, and produced a DVD that sets new standards in the realm of music.

[Outbackjack]

Already got my copy..... if ya love floyd and Roger Waters, you will love this. It is every bit as good as 'In the flesh".

[WOLF]

yeah got it in both the vhs & audio versions....great gig!

[rodderz]

Would be definately worth it, I got the CD with the flashing light when it came out years ago

Pity they have stopped touring, if they came out again I would be there no matter the ticket price

[RapidTypLady]

HI Noddy

Thank you for your write up on the new Pulse DVD

I will be getting mine. :

They were so awesome. I love all of their music.

I am sure I will enjoy it as much as you are.

Take care

Thank you

:

[Outbackjack]

Originally Posted by rodderz

Would be definately worth it, I got the CD with the flashing light when it came out years ago

Pity they have stopped touring, if they came out again I would be there no matter the ticket price

RW is touring soon, but not coming to Australia. If I could have got hold of a ticket I would have travelled to see him..... He is teaming up with Nick Mason for one show.... half of floyd?? Better than nothing I guess.

[Walkinshaw]

Ive had the CD for ages, and have seen the LD copy. Definatly on my list of things to get,

[FTE217]

Bands arn't like they used to be but then again nothing is !
Wish I could turn back time but take my T3 with me lol.......
Love cruising the open road with Wish You Were Here loaded in the stacker,seems appropiate !
Enjoy you time in the home theater Noddy !

[Noddy]

Hi people, just thought id post my impression on Pulse. I am very impressed with what they have done with the 12yr old concert footage. Apart from the issue with flaring from the stage lighting which affects most concert recordings the picture quality was excellent. The 5.1 surround mix was also very good although the lack of centre channel involvement was a little disappointing.

I also have Pulse on VHS so I know the concert very well. I have approx 40 concert DVD’s and including the concerts I have seen live Pink Floyd are still the bench mark for a concert show. Even if you didn't like their music the lighting show alone would keep one amazed. Considering the long wait for release of this DVD was due to getting the extras package together I found it was ok but nothing special. I was talking to a guy at Sanity today and he mentioned that the discount price on first release ($25.00) was due to the long wait fans had to endure waiting for the release. Normally something like this would retail for $38.00.

[Auslandau]

Thanks for the info. Be in at JB in the morning. Need a PF RW fix!



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[FordFan86]

Definately going to keep my eye out for this one...
Managed to down load comfortably numb off limewire, the footage is amazing, and the solo... damn.
Floyd were in a league (up on a cloud) of their own.

[HLC]

CANT wait to get this dvd.

[Fairlane]

Might have to gets this one, ive only got the Gilmour's Pulse live album on cassette.

[Jeeepers]

Been a fan of Floyd since '75, this will be in the collection without delay. :

[bathurst77]

Sat up til 2am watching this last night.
AMAZING!

I already had the VHS.. and the Cds.. and various bootlegs of the shows.
(ive got about 200 various Pink Floyd and related CDs-tapes-videos etc)

AS i watched it I raised a parting glass to Syd Barrett, Shine on you crazy diamond.

[Van D]

RIP Syd barrett.

Going to get the DVD as soon as i've got cash.

[FordFan86]

RIP Syd Barret.
Shine on you crazy Diamond.
http://www.intuitivemusic.com/pink-f...yd-barret-dies
That says July 6th, I only heard 2 days ago :\

[DJL351]

Saw the ad last night..... <drool>

Something my dad told me, after he found out I had used my first ever paycheck to buy Dark Side Of The Moon.

The old man was trying to put me to sleep when I was only four or five,
mum said, play him (me) some music, it might work.
The old bloke grabbed blindly at tapes sitting next to his tape player.... Us and Them was the first Pink Floyd song I can remember.

Mum was in awe as I just lay there, with Floyd playing, dad soon tried others.
Dr Hook (don't laugh!)
Deep Purple
The Beatles
Wings
The Eagles....

Needless to say I have always listened to this "type" of music.

D:

[1970galaxie]

Bought mine today at Big W for 22 bucks. This is the place to get it!
Awesome band. Awesome show.
First got into Floyd in 1972. Saw them in 88.
Still one of the best!!

[NAK302]

i started my Floyd collection with vinyl, then tapes and cd's. the next technology will not prevent me buying them all again. without doubt the most timeless music ever. unfortunetly i couldn't get to Sydney in '86 for the delicate sound of thunder/momentary lapse of reason tour but i have been lucky enough to go to a couple of gigs by a tribute band from Beenleigh (QLD). they themselves put on a great stage and light show so i could only imagine how fantastic Gilmour and the boys would be live.
am i reading some posts right that Sid has passed away?