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In the Flesh - Christchurch 14.3.09

Ok, I seem to have upset some people already and I somehow knew that would be the case, sorry Ripley but you should stick around to put your point of view forward as well – that's what Forums are for?

Anyway, I have been urged to post a review of the new Pink Floyd tribute, In the Flesh – dubbed "THE WORLD'S MOST MIND BLOWING PINK FLOYD SHOW" by Brain Damage

Now let me say from the outset, I am a big fan of Glenn Povey and the great work he does, I am also a fan of the works of Pink Floyd and have been for many years, since first hearing DSOTM. With this is mind I like to hear the music and am not too bothered about what the band does, or looks like. This is not the case for every band however, but I think PF is a listening band, it is for me anyhow.

Anyway, on to the gig and many thanks to the guy on the sound desk who kindly donated a set list, which I produce below.



I arrived mid way through In the Flesh and was immediately struck by how slick the band looked. We had a round ‘Mr Screen’ at the back and everyone was decked out in black, red arm bands and red/white crossed hammer Wall logos (looked a little familiar actually!). So they certainly looked the part and the lighting was equally well presented. The band had a 3 man front line-up, with drums and bass behind and 2 female backing singers. The venue is quite small, around 450 seats and it was pretty much full, with a scattering of empty seats – a good sign. I have seen Perfect Alibi here and was expecting a good show, as the hype around the band is well documented. But here’s the rub, if you tell me this is going to be mind blowing, note perfect and the worlds best PF show, then that's what I am going to expect. Additionally if such claims are made and the band doesn't deliver, then you leave the door wide open for critical comment.

So with this in mind, I had high expectations but was left wanting - they just didn't do it for me. The performance was well received by the audience and I saw plenty of happy faces as we left, but the response was muted compared to other PF tributes I have seen. I was impressed by the front man Chris Thomas, whose vocals and timing were excellent, but the true Floyd sound just wasn't there. The lead guitar often couldn't hit the right notes and his timing was frequently out. What I found very odd was the instrument played by Steve Wiltshire, which I believe was an Akai Wind Synthesiser – this just didn't sound right at all and actually became quite irritating to my ears. I thought they lost their way a few times during Echoes and Comfortably Numb just didn't work at all for me and I have heard a few Comfortably Numbs!

What I liked:
The set list - a good choice of the favourites but maybe this needs reviewing, as others do many of these songs better – I would like earlier Floyd, but then you have to please the majority. I really liked the photographs shown on the screen, especially towards the end. During WYWH we had images of not only Rick & Syd, but also many others, which included the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kurt Cobain and Jim Morrison - a nice touch I thought.
A very well presented TGGITS – not up there with Ola and Amy from the Aussies, but none the less an excellent performance and way better than Mica Paris’s effort with DG at the Royal Albert Hall.
A pretty good ‘Run Like Hell’ to close the show too . . . .

What I didn't like:
The wind synthesiser . . . bloody awful thing and I hope I never hear Pink Floyd's music played on one again, for me it didn't sound right and ruined the musical soundscape.
The backing singers movements – the ladies can sing but I found the constant exaggerating movements distracting and unnecessary. The girls looked great and performed well, but the synchronised body movements during virtually the whole set was I thought a bit over the top.

The acid test is would I go to see them again? Unfortunately at the moment the answer would be no. I have seen the Aussies many times and Perfect Alibi 3 times and I would see either again without hesitation. The reason being is purely down to the sound and the way Pink Floyd's music is reproduced, I like it to be as close to the original as possible and this is something the Aussies excel at, but not this band. I reckon if they got rid of the wind synthesiser and stole Dave Blake (lead guitar) from Perfect Alibi, they would be well on the way to being a top tribute act.

Having said all that, this is a promising beginning and the reason I am being critical is because of the hype prior to the show. They can only improve and there certainly seems to be a healthy market for Floyd tributes, as this is what they are, but nothing more. So go and check them out as this is just one man's opinion who likes his Floyd presented in a particular way, i.e. to sound as close to the real thing as possible.

On this performance however, the Aussies crown is still to be toppled.

GG

Most informative.
    What have we learned from this ? Don't let your advertising hype overtake your ability to deliver.
    Also that great gig is capable of bending over backwards to be polite when delivering a mildly critical review ;D
    I'll say it before the lovely Miss Ripley rears her head again, you mention "the bloody Aussies" too often Tim

I like the "Remove keys from drum monitor" comment on Money in the setlist. The drummer obviously finds it difficult enough playing in 7/4 without having to listen to the keys at the same time.  ;D

I do indeed - but love them or hate them , they are at the top of the pile 

I think in their case, Glenn has done a fantastic job in marketing/launching them as a product. The web site is slick and well put together, the stage presentation is excellent, the promotional material is good and the visuals are excellent as well. The weak link for me is the standard of the music, which IMO should be the #1 priority. Perfect Alibi for example just get up and play with no bells & whistles, Dave Blake wears jeans and a shirt, but what he does on the fret board is exemplary. However, Perfect Alibi have been around a long time, so have been able to hone their skills. Without a competent full time keyboard player, In the Flesh (IMO) just aren't going to sound right using a wind synthesiser.

So, what do you think of the wind synthesiser, Tim?

LOL . . . I do have a habit of repeating myself  :-[ But if I never hear one again, I will be a happy boy.