Photos by Alex Kluft
At this point, it feels like there's more chance of a Beatles reunion than Pink Floyd patching things up. At least Paul and Ringo are still good pals. On the other hand, David Gilmour and Roger Waters don't have many kind words to say about each other (Waters is never short of a controversial statement or two), and keyboardist Richard Wright, of course, passed away in 2008. Drummer Nick Mason is still gigging, but the whole thing is very fractured.
Add to all that the fact that Gilmour has said that this current tour is his farewell excursion, and we're reminded that we have to enjoy these guys while we have them, no matter what it days on the ticket.
At the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday October 29--the first of three dates at this venue--Gilmour played a lengthy set that balanced the Pink Floyd classics (10) with his solo material (12) perfectly. It helps, of course, that his solo work isn't trash. On the contrary, 2015's Rattle That Lock is an underrated gem and we get three tunes from that.
There are nine from this year's Luck and Strange--not surprising considering the tour is named after the album. One of those nine is the cover of indie band The Montgolfier Brothers' "Between Two Points," which he sings with his daughter Romany Gilmour. If Dave really is saying goodbye on this tour, it feels like he's passing the torch. Romany has a stunning voice, and the sound of her harmonizing with dad gives all the feels.
There are plenty of other highlights from the new record, including the title track, and "The Piper's Call"--classic Gilmour songwriting and solos, blessed with his soulful croon and a stellar band. The only minor complaint we have is that we could have done with a song or two from 2006's On an Island, which is another record more people should know. But these are champagne problems.
Unsurprisingly, the Pink Floyd tunes get the biggest reaction, and there are plenty of them. "Breathe" is played early on, and then reprised after "Time." "Fat Old Sun" takes us back to 1970, while "High Hopes" is the best song from the Waters-less The Division Bell.
Meanwhile, "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb" are two of the greatest songs in rock 'n' roll's rich history. When you've got tunes like that up your sleeve, the Hollywood Bowl crowd will always be on your side. As they were.
