| In The Flesh (disc 1) |
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| Released: 2000 by Columbia Records Running Time: 72:28 Ranking: #3 out of 5 live albums Album Highlight: Dogs Album Weak Point: Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert Average Song Rating: ***** Comments: This live album is from Roger Waters's most recent tour, in which he performs some of the most well known songs from his Pink Floyd days, as well as some not-so-well known Floyd songs, and a few songs from his solo career. The selections from an album are usually played in clusters, in that the band will play several selected tracks from one album, and then play several selected tracks from another. On the first half of this live album, Waters does only songs off of Pink Floyd albums, including "The Wall", "The Final Cut", "Animals", "Wish You Were Here", and even one from "A Saucerful Of Secrets". At times it seems curious why Waters would select certain songs off and album and overlook others, but regardless of this, you still get a pretty good sampling from all over the Pink Floyd era. While very few of the versions presented here are the best of their kind, they are still good enough and worth listening to. |
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| 1- In The Flesh Written by: Waters Running Time: 4:41 From: The Wall Best Version: Is There Anybody Out There? Rating: **** Comments: This is a very appropriate song for the beginning of a Roger Waters concert, and in particular one from the "In The Flesh" tour. The song is good and done well for the most part, but there are several things wrong. First, this song is supposed to be a reprise of "In The Flesh?" from the first half of "The Wall" and because the first part of the song wasn't heard, some of it's touch is lost. Also, Waters's voice just isn't what it used to be, but it's easy to get past that quickly. And finally, there is the gross incompetence of the drummer, but what can you do? Lyrics: so you thought you might like to go to the show to feel the warm thrill of confusion, that space-cadet glow i got some bad news for you, sunshine Pink isn't well, he stayed back at the hotel and they've sent us along as a surrogate band we're gonna find out where you fans really stand are there any queers in the theater tonight? get 'em up against the wall ('gainst the wall) there's one in the spotlight, now he don't look right to me get him up against the wall ('gainst the...) and that one looks jewish! and that one's a coon! who let all this riff-raff into the room? there's one smoking a joint! and another one's got spots! if i had my way, i'd have all of you shot! |
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| 2- The Happiest Days Of Our Lives Written by: Waters Running Time: 1:34 From: The Wall Best Version: Is There Anybody Out There? Rating: *** Comments: This song lacks all the intensity that made it great on the original album. The background singers singing along with the last few lines is an interesting new take, but it doesn't make up for much. Lyrics: when we grew up and went to school there were certain teachers who would hurt the children any way they could by pouring their derision upon anything we did exposing every weakness, however carefully hidden by the kid but in the town it was well known when they got home at night their fat and psychopathic wive would thrash them within inches of their lives Words: you! yes you! stand still, laddy! |
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| 3- Another Brick In The Wall, part 2 Written by: Waters Running Time: 5:53 From: The Wall Best Version: Is There Anybody Out There? Rating: ***** Comments: It's difficult to mess this song up, and Waters avoids it by extending the solo like in all live versions of the song. The second verse is sung not by the children's voices but by the back-up singers, who do a decent job of it. Waters also makes it unique by repeating the verse for a third time after the solo, and ending with the words, which is a nice touch. Lyrics: we don't need no education we don't need no thought control no dark sarcasm in the classroom teacher, leave them kids alone hey! teacher! leave them kids alone! all in all it's just Another Brick in the Wall all in all you're just Another Brick in the Wall we don't need no education we don't need no thought control no dark sarcasm in the classroom teacher, leave them kids alone hey! teacher! leave them kids alone! all in all you're just Another Brick in the Wall all in all you're just Another Brick in the Wall we don't need no education we don't need no thought control no dark sarcasm in the classroom teacher, leave them kids alone hey! teacher! leave those kids alone all in all you're just Another Brick in the Wall all in all you're just Another Brick in the Wall Words: thank you, good evening, welcome. |
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| 4- Mother Written by: Waters Running Time: 5:37 From: The Wall Best Version: The Wall (film) Rating: **** Comments: This is actually the second best version of this song, one of the few on this live album that surpass versions of the other live or studio albums. The song is not long and unnecessarily drawn out like it can easily be. And the major thing it has going for it is the voice of P P Arnold singing the chorus. While I still prefer the film version for other reasons, this version is an excellent interpretation. Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb? Mother do you think they'll like the song? Mother do you think they'll try to break my balls? (ooh ah), Mother should I build the wall? Mother should i run for president? Mother should i trust the government? mama will they put me in the firing line? (ooh ah), is it just a waste of time? hush now baby baby, don't you cry mama's gonna make all of your nightmares comes true mama's gonna put all of her fears into you mama's gonna keep you right here under her wing she won't let you fly, but she might let you sing mama's gonna keep baby cozy and warm (ooh babe, ooh babe, ooh babe) of course mama's gonna help build the wall Mother do you think she's good enough for me? Mother do you think she's dangerous to me? mama will she tear your little boy apart? ooh ah, Mother will she break my heart? hush now baby baby, don't you cry mama's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you mama won't let anyone dirty get through mama's gonna wait up until you get in mama will always find out where you been mama's gonna keep baby healthy and clean ooh babe, ooh babe, ooh babe you'll always be a baby to me Mother, did it need to be so high? |
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| 5- Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert Written by: Waters Running Time: 0:56 From: The Final Cut Best Version: The Final Cut Rating: *** Comments: Why Waters selected this song from the album and not one of the more powerful tracks, I'll never know. This is certainly not a bad song, but it's annoying that he overlooks the other masterpieces from one of his greatest albums. There is not much difference between this version and the version on "The Final Cut" except for an extra line, and the noise of the croud. Lyrics: brezhnev took afghanistan and bagin took beirut galtieri took the union jack and maggie, over lunch one day took a cruiser with all hands apparently to make him give it back maggie, what have we done? Words: what'd he say? |
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| 6- Southampton Dock Written by: Waters Running Time: 2:15 From: The Final Cut Best Version: The Final Cut Rating: **** Comments: This is a fantastic song, but without "The Final Cut" following it up, it's missing something. It is sung here with much intensity and with the added dimension of background singers, and it sounds quite good, although the intamacy is destroyed by the audience. It's a fair selection, though, and it works well here, even though it seems out of context. Lyrics: they disembarked in forty-five and no one spoke and no one smiled there were too many spaces in the line and gathered at the cenotaph they all agreed with hand on heart to sheath the sacrificial knives but now, she stands upon Southampton Dock with her handkerchief, and her summer frock clings to her wet body in the rain in quiet desperation, knuckles white upon the slippery reins she bravely waves the boys goodbye again maggie, what have you done? and still the dark stain spreads between their shoulder-blades a mute reminder of the poppy fields and graves and when the fight was over we spent what they had made, but in the bottom of our hearts we felt the final cut |
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| 7- Pigs On The Wing, part 1 Written by: Waters Running Time: 1:18 From: Animals Best Version: In The Flesh Rating: ***** Comments: Finally, a song that is done better on this album than anywhere else. In addition to the regular acoustic guitar that is the only instrument on the studio album for this song, there is a synthesized noise in harmony with the music that works extremely well. It's a short song, but it's excellent, and it's done here with just a little added touch that makes it even better. Lyrics: if you didn't care what happened to me and i didn't care for you we would zig-zag away through the boredom and pain occasionally glancing up through the rain wondering which of the buggers to blame and watching for Pigs on the Wing |
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| 8- Dogs Written by: Waters, Gilmour Running Time: 16:26 From: Animals Best Version: Animals RANKING (different version): #5 (this version ******) Comments: While not the best version of this song, this is the best track on this half of the live album. It only falls short of the perfection of the studio version because of the absense of Gilmour's voice in the first verses, and it's shorter length. But it's impossible to improve upon such a masterpiece. It is done here with what seems like a greater intensity at some points, but very little deviation from the original version. The middle verse, which is sung by Gilmour in the original version, is here sung by Waters, who puts his own twist on it. There is a different guitar solo before that verse, which is not better than the original but certainly just as good. The background singers also do a fantastic job as usual. This track is perfect, although not as perfect as the track on "Animals". Lyrics: you've got to be crazy, you gotta have a real need you gotta sleep on your toes, and when you're in the street you've got to be able to pick out the easy meat with your eyes closed then moving in silently, downwind and out of sight you've got to strike when the moment is right without thinking and after awhile, you can work on points for style like a club tie, and a firm handshake a certain look in the eye, and an easy smile you have to be trusted by the people that you lie to so that when they turn their back on you you'll get the chance to put the knife in you've gotta keep one eye looking over your shoulder you know it's gonna get harder and harder and harder as you get older and in the end, you'll pack up, fly down south and hide your head in the sand just another sad old man, all alone, and dying of cancer and when you lose control you'll reap the harvest you have sewn and as the fear grows, the bad blood slows and turns to stone and it's too late to lose the weight you used to need to throw around so have a good drown as you go down all alone dragged down by the stone... got to admit that i'm a little bit confused sometimes it seems to me as if i'm just being used gotta stay awake, gotta try and shake off this creeping malaize if i don't stand my own ground how can i find my way out of this maze? deaf dumb and blind, you just keep on pretending that everyone's expendable and no one has a real friend and it seems to you the think to do would be to isolate the winner and everything's done under the sun and you believe at heart, everyone's a killer who was born in a house full of pain? who was trained not to spit in the fan? who was told what to do by the man? who was broken by trained personnel? who was fitted with collar and chain? who was given a pat on the back? who was breaking away from the pack? who was only a stranger at home? who was drowned down in the end? who was found dead on the phone? who was dragged down by the stone? who was dragged down by the stone? |
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| 9- Welcome To The Machine Written by: Waters Running Time: 6:57 From: Wish You Were Here Best Version: In The Flesh Rating: ***** Comments: For some reason, this version sounds better than the studio version. It can either be the emotion that Waters puts behind the lyrics, or those amazing background singers. Whatever the reason, this is a phenomenal version of an already excellent song. The vocals and instrumentals are done with more power and emotion, and it sounds great. There aren't many songs in which the best version can be found on this album, but this is one of them. Lyrics: Welcome, my son, Welcome to the Machine where have you been? it's alright, we know where you've been you've been in the pipeline, filling in time provided with toys and scouting for boys you bought a guitar to punish your ma you didn't like school and you know you're nobody's fool so Welcome (Welcome) to the Machine Welcome to the Machine Welcome, my son, Welcome to the Machine what did you dream? it's alright, we told you what to dream you dreamed of a big star he played a mean guitar he always ate in the steak bar and he loved to drive in his jaguar so Welcome (Welcome) to the Machine |
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| 10- Wish You Were Here Written by: Waters, Gilmour Running Time: 4:54 From: Wish You Were Here Best Version: Wish You Were Here RANKING (different version): #10 (this version *****) Comments: This song begins with the same tenderness that makes it great in other versions, but it loses its touch near the end, when Waters keeps repeated the title over and over again until the words have lost all meaning. It's not bad by any means, but other versions surpass this one by far. Lyrics: so, so you think you can tell heaven from hell blue skies from pain can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? a smile from a veil? do you think you can tell? and did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts? hot ashes for trees? hot air for a cool breeze? cold comfort for change? did you exchange a walk-on part in a war for a lead role in a cage? how i Wish, how i Wish You Were Here we're just two lost souls swimming in a fish-bowl year after year running over the same old ground what have we found? the same old fears and i Wish that You Were Here oh, how i Wish You Were Here how i Wish, how i Wish You Were Here running over the same old ground what have we found? the same old fears and i Wish that You Were Here Words: thank you. how i Wish they Were Here... |
| 11- Shine On You Crazy Diamond, (parts I, II, III, IV, VI, VII & VIII) Written by: Waters, Gilmour, Wright Running Time: 14:42 From: Wish You Were Here Best Version: Wish You Were Here RANKING (different version): #3 (this version ******) Comments: It is a metaphysical impossibility to improve upon "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" in any way, shape or form, so it is wrong to even compare live versions which contain omissions to the studio version. However, you can compare different live versions of this song, and if you were to do that and disregard the studio version, this live version would come out on top. There are two reasons which make this version better than "P*U*L*S*E", the first being the voice singing. In the original form, it was Waters who sang the beautiful lyrics, and here he sings them maginificently. Secondly is which parts the versions omit. Both omit part IX, which isn't altogether necessary in the first place, but while the "P*U*L*S*E" version keeps part V and omits part VI, this version omits part V and keep part VI, which is the best portion of the song. This is a terrific rendition of a terrific song, and though it does fall miserable short of the regular version, the instrumentals are played with passion, and the lyrics are sung by lead and back-up singers with emotion. Lyrics: remember when you were young you shone like the sun Shine on you Crazy Diamond now there's a look in your eyes like black holes in the sky Shina on you Crazy Diamond you were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom blown on the steel breeze come on you target for far away laughter come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr and Shine you reached for the secret too soon you cried for the moon Shine on you Crazy Diamond threatened by shadows at night and exposed in the light Shine on you Crazy Diamond well you wore out your welcome with random precision rode on the steel breeze come on you raver, you seer of visions come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner and Shine nobody knows where you are how near or how far Shine on you Crazy Diamond pile on many more years and i'll be joining you there Shine on you Crazy Diamond and we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph sail on the steel breeze come on you boy-child, you winner and loser come on you miner for truth and delusion and Shine...(Shine, Shine, Shine...) |
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| 12- Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun Written by: Waters Running Time: 7:15 From: A Saucerful of Secrets Best Version: In The Flesh Rating: ***** Comments: Seeing as how you haven't heard anything prior to 1975 before now, this sudden jump back to the very early days of Pink Floyd can take you by surprise. But the surprise is a pleasant one, because this is the best of the several versions of this song there are out there. It starts out with the same mystique and haunting quality that made it so great in the first place, but then surpasses that and gets into a rock n' roll groove that makes this version the best. The saxophone may seem like an odd instrument to be played on such a song, but when it comes blaring on, it works amazingly well. This has always been a breathtaking song, and it is found here in it's greatest version. Lyrics: little by little the night turns around counting the leaves which tremble at dawn lotuses lean on eachother in yearning under the leaves the swallow is resting Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun over the mountain, watching the watcher waking the darkness, breaking the grapevine one inch of love is one inch of shadow love is the shadow that ripens the wine Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun the Heart of the Sun, the Heart of the Sun... witness the man who raves at the wall making the shape of his question to heaven whether the Sun will fall in the evening will he remember the lesson of giving? Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun the Heart of the Sun, the Heart of the Sun... |
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