This is going to be the most biased gig review I have ever done. I grew up listening to Pink Floyd who, for me, are the best band that has ever (and will ever) grace our world. Tonight, thanks to the wonderful guys at Moshville Times, I find myself at Birmingham Symphony Hall about to witness what I hope is going to be a special gig for me as the man behind the Floyd drums takes to the stage with his Saucerful of Secrets.
This show is all about the early pre–Dark Side of the Moon years of Pink Floyd.
Joining Nick is long standing bass player and vocals Guy Pratt, Dom Beken on the keys, Gary Kemp on guitar and vocals and the man who came up with the idea for this show, Lee Harris on guitar.
They come straight out the blocks with “One of These Days” to a massive applause. The crowd open mouthed and clearly as excited as me. A stunning performance of “Fearless” from the album Meddle soon follows.
The guys on stage look like they are having a great time, the room full of colour and smiles. In the row in front of me is a dad with his two young sons, adorned in Saucerful Of Secrets merchandise and singing their hearts out. I had to tap the dad on the shoulder and tell him that “it was parenting done right”.
More classics in the form of “Candy and a Currant Bun”, “Vegetable Man”, “If” and “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” see us along to the interval. So far so good with the crowd mesmerised by what they have seen.
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The second half of the show starts with “Interstellar Overdrive”, “Astronomy Domine” and “The Nile Song” before “See Emily Play” and the one the crowd have all been waiting for, “Echoes”.
“Echoes”, well where do I start? Nick Mason must be the most effortless yet effective drummer ever, barely breaking a sweat. The biggest surprise of the night has to be Mr Gary Kemp. I knew he could sing but I never realised just how good a guitarist he was! His solo during “Echoes” would have made David Gilmour proud. Again colour filled the room while Gary made the solo his own, absolutely jaw dropping.
The night concluded with “A Saucerful of Secrets” and “Bike”. What a great show this was and I hope they tour again, go see them if you can. I just need Gilmour to do a tour now and I can retire happy.
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Photos by Gary Cooper Photography (from Edinburgh date)
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