DVD Review: Pink Floyd - Pulse
Published August 06, 2006
This video really cried out for a widescreen presentation, considering the immensity of the stage show, but it was presented in its original full-frame format. Unfortunately this is a better option than artificially widening it and cutting off some of the picture in the process. The picture does suffer from some noticeable graininess, but the overall restoration looks fantastic. This easily blows away the VHS version. David Mallet generally did a good job with the camera direction, mixing in plenty of wide angle shots of the entire stage show, with some nice close-ups of each performer. He did often change angles too quickly, especially when Gilmour was in the middle of one of his amazing guitar solos, which is not exactly the ideal time to switch over to the backup singers or the video screen every ten seconds.
Considering the lengthy time it took to get this DVD released, Pink Floyd had plenty of time to come up with some excellent special features, and they did. These are the highlights:
- Bootlegging the Bootleggers: Camcorder footage of "What Do You Want From Me", "On The Turning Away", "Poles Apart", and "Marooned". The video is edited between multiple camera angles, and the audio sounds surprisingly decent.
- Screen Films: All of the screen films and animations are provided up close via the large, circular projection panel used on stage, which is referred to as "Mr. Screen". They also include several older, alternate versions of some screen films, which are all set to music from the concert.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction: Former Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan gives a reflective induction speech and then joins Gilmour and Wright onstage for a stripped-down version of "Wish You Were Here". Roger Waters and Syd Barrett were unfortunately absent from this 1996 ceremony.
- Also included was a 15-minute behind-the-scenes documentary called Say Goodbye To Life As We Know It, the music videos for "Learning To Fly" and "Take It Back", and more.
Set List
01. Shine on You Crazy Diamond
02. Learning to Fly
03. High Hopes
04. Take It Back
05. Coming Back to Life
06. Sorrow
07. Keep Talking
08. Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two
09. One of These Days
10. Speak to Me
11. Breathe
12. On the Run
13. Time
14. The Great Gig in the Sky
15. Money
16. Us and Them
17. Any Colour You Like
18. Brain Damage
19. Eclipse
20. Wish You Were Here
21. Comfortably Numb
22. Run Like Hell
Performance 9/10
Production 8/10
- DVD Review: Pink Floyd - Pulse
- Published: August 06, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Video, Music: Rock, Music: Progressive Rock, Music: Live Concerts, Video: Music
- Writer: Paul Roy
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Comments
Thanks. I've had Live At Pompeii for a while now, but never got around to reviewing it. I need to watch it again, and finally review the thing. I'm waiting for Delicate Sound Of Thunder to come out on DVD before I review that one. I did review Roger Waters'
In The Flesh Live DVD and gave it one my highest ratings. I'll probably review his concert when I see him next month performing The Dark Side Of The Moon. I can't wait.
I got my copy of "Pulse" today and am, to say the least, amazed (although, kinda disappointed that Roger Waters wasn't on it. I guess if I knew Pink Floyd's history better, I would realize why. I really enjoyed your review and am looking forward to your review of the Roger Waters concert. For his birthday, I bought tickets for my son to go to the L.A. concert in October. (I'm a little envious.) Do you think Waters' "Dark Side of the Moon" will be as elaborately produced as the Gilmour version on "Pulse?" The light show alone would have been worth the price of admission to that concert!
Dick Wallis should read Gary Wallis. Nice review though.
Excellent commentary. I too am a worshiper of Floyd. Those approx 4 min's of Guitaring in Comfortably Numb puts me in a beautiful and blissful trance. I would have bought this new DVD only for this song. Even my 4 year old son has been enjoying this Music since last 2 years.
So much for fan following




Nice review! Too bad it was filmed in video rather than film.
I don't know when or if they will tour again, but the demand for Floyd is never ending. Have you reviewed their other concert videos?