The steady stream of momentum has worked to the guitarist and singer’s advantage, leading to sell outs on virtually every road stop thus far (including two gigs at the Rosemont Theatre) and heaps of critical acclaim for the brand new album On An Island (Columbia).
Though all were poised to hear the rich Floyd catalogue, Thursday attendees first had to sit through an entire rendering of Island, his third project alone and first in 22 years. But as gorgeous, lush and innovative as that disc is in the comfort of one’s own home, the gentler moments had a hard time translating live, especially considering they were unfamiliar to half the crowd. Despite the drowsiness of the ballad “A Pocketful of Stones” and the twangy “Then I Close My Eyes,” there was the occasional glimpse of hope, such as the psychedelically tipped “Take a Breath,” which was accompanied by blasts of smoke.
If anything, that hour’s worth of music built even more anticipation for the hits half of the evening, which straddled the line between the obligatory and unpredictable. On the incredibly familiar front, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Time” and “Echoes” reigned supreme in all their excessive and progressive glory, recalling Floyd’s ability to constantly take a track in a series of stylistic twists and turns throughout its lengthy but continuously engaging duration. A much appreciated surprise came in tribute to that group’s reclusive founder Syd Barrett during "Dominoes," which earned a series of yelps from those truly dedicated to the early years.
Having Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright and Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera along for the ride only added additional muscle and might to the whole night, particularly on the first encore “Wish You Were Here.” That classic set the stage for the fitting finale “Comfortably Numb,” which also became the loudest sing-a-long this city’s heard in a long time. Not only was it riddled with several of Gilmour’s blistering solos, but it was stacked with a mind blowing laser light spectacle.
No, there weren’t any flying pigs this time through, but the state of the art display made everyone forget the slow start and fall in love with Floyd all over again. Yet aside from the Live 8 date, it would probably take pigs to fly for Gilmour to reunite with Waters once and for all. Given the reception he’s found as of late, it’s not a path he’ll likely long for anytime soon since even solo he’s capable of carrying the group’s legendary cannon with grace, glory and timelessness.
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