Pink Floyd 7/8/80

This was The Wall gig. I was surprised when checking that they only ever played the Wall five times in the UK, all in early August 1980 and played it around 20 times in total. When you think about the cost and effort in creating the show then I suppose I assumed that they had endlessly toured it to vast audiences. Floyd shows often featured stage effects of one sort or another. This one had both a parallel band who played the show for a number or two before the real Floyd came on but also had the relentless building of the vast wall during the gig. Building a wall across the Earls Court stage is some task even if the bricks are made of foam.

For the gig Floyd basically just played the whole double album cover to cover. The music was flawlessly executed, if not improvised, and the album has some classic tracks on it. "Comfortably Numb" is an all-time favourite for me, but "Mother", "Hey You", "Is There Anybody Out There?" and "Another Brick in the Wall" also resonate. I maybe didn't buy into the whole Roger Waters concept that is 'The Wall' or the prominence of the stage effects but this was another Floyd experience where they pushed the traditions of a gig, Dave Gilmour was playing guitar and all was well with the world.

Joan Armatrading 19/4/10

I hadn't listened to my Joan Armatrading albums for a few years but I didn't hesitate when I saw she was playing at De Montfort Hall. The only previous time I had seen her was at the Blackbushe Picnic in 1978 when she came on between sets from Clapton and Dylan and when she had a burgeoning reputation as a singer/songwriter

I didn't know any of her recent stuff but that didn't matter. The newer songs were largely uptempo and featured Joan playing a loud and bluesy rock guitar style. Outstanding of these newer songs was "Something's Gotta Blow". Another uptempo song that sticks in the mind was "Best Dress On". The bluesy guitar was confident and straightforward and reminiscent of an american chicago-style bluesman. She definitely has a unique mix; sensitive, emotionally-honest songwriting, a superb singing talent and bluesy lead guitar, all done with an English sensitivity.

All of the famous songs were in the set, "Love and Affection" done sparingly, "Me, Myself, I" done with gusto, "The Weakness in Me" with anguish. She basically does feelings in an upfront way but is very English in her approach at the same time (despite being from St Kitts originally). "Love and Affection" is the only song I remember from Blackbushe but thirty two years later it still stands out as a classic piece of songwriting.

The encore was the beautiful "Willow" and then the raucous "Drop the Pilot" which highlighted her ability to do both the romantic and the ballsy. I am delighted I clicked on "Buy" when I cam across the gig.

David Gilmour 29/5/06 & 31/5/06

We went to two of the three-night stint Gilmour did at the Albert Hall in 2006. There were some small but important differences between the two gigs. David Bowie came to guest on a couple of tracks on the first night. "Echoes" was sublime on the second night. Mica Paris guested on the second night and they consequently did "Great Gig in the Sky". "High Hopes" on the first night was replaced by a Syd Barratt track "Dominoes" on the second night.

The gigs consisted of a first half based on playing the recently released Gilmour album "On an Island" followed by a second half of Floyd classics. Gilmour was impeccable, totally relaxed, completely imperious; one of the finest rock guitarists at his best. The rest of the band were damn fine too. Rick Wright on keyboards giving credibility to the Floyd tracks, Phil Manzanera on guitar (and also on sax on Red Sky At Night).
In addition there were various guest musicians of which David Bowie and Mica Paris were the pick for me. The others were Robert Wyatt, David Crosby and Graham Nash.

The selection of Floyd tracks was pretty much perfect for me but then I have always leaned towards the Gilmour-influenced tracks (at least since Syd left) from Floyd's output. There were some differences between the two nights but both sets included "Shine on You Crazy Diamond", "Coming Back to Life", "High Hopes", "Echoes", "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb". The last two tracks were in the encore and it was an amazing finale. "Echoes" is just about my all-time favourite Floyd track and the version on the second night was just about perfect.

Fabulous gigs which must have a place in the top twenty all-time list.