Is There Anybody Out There? [Box set] [Live]

The Wall was performed 29 times by Pink Floyd during 1980/1. At this moment in history Floyd were (and still are) considered one of the top live acts on the planet. This album shows why.
Is there anybody out there? is a live version of The Wall culled from these shows. There are one or two extras not on the studio version of The Wall. 'The Last Few Bricks' and 'What Shall We Do Now?' being those extras but they are both present on Roger Waters 21/7/90 Berlin concert and 'What Shall..' featured on The Wall film to. So the only different part of the approach for us fans is the M.C. announcements. But that just goes to create the most interesting and brilliant intro to any live recording I've ever heard. You will need to play the intro loud as the M.C. is a little inaudible. (Again this intro was used in The Wall movie but was totally inaudible. If in doubt it is played in the background just before Bob narrates 'Stop').

If you are one of the new Floyd fans with 'Echoes -the best of Pink Floyd' acting as your introduction to the band then The Wall is crucial to your collection. However, which do you buy first? Roger Waters - The Wall live in Berlin? Probably not. It's not bad but as I was there in the front row then I find the video of show more interesting. The Wall, studio version? Of course it was the original, BUT I don't like live albums all that much. (Pulse and Delicate Sound of Thunder are great videos but as far as the audio goes, forget it). HANG ON, this live album is different. Yes it's live but the tension is there; that live feeling and the sound quality is stunning. The original would have had the extra few minutes of music except for the contraints of the actual vinyl format. For example Run Like Hell is longer and Another Brick In The Wall (part 2) has an extended keyboard flurry by session man Peter Woods who also played at Berlin '90. Snowy White plays guitar again to compliment David Gilmour's style. (Why those two have never made an album together is beyond me. Snowy was in Thin Lizzy as well as being a regular Floyd session artist).

Whichever you decide on you will, no doubt be back to get the other(s). There is more to complicate the issue as there is a hardback book edition and the standard release. My suggestion is get the hardback book edition. OK there is no more extra music for your money but you get a detailed account from band members of how one of the biggest selling albums of all time evolved from a studio record, to a concert, to a film and beyond! The book also has some excellent photos of the concerts. The cover/book was designed by Storm Thorgerson, unlike the original designed by Gerarl Scarfe. However, Thorgerson shows no rivalry as he shows off Scarfe's drawings, puppets and illistrations to suberb effect.

A truly excellent live album. Don't be put off by either Pulse or Delicate Sound Of Thunder. On 'Is There Anybody Out There?' the band gel together and the angst that is produced from Waters/Wright off stage bickering overflows onto the stage and and affects everyone. Each player then delivers top notch showmanship. This is the start of Floyd's Cold War and everyone wants to push The Button.

In 1983 Floyd's war was in full flow and The Floyd delivered us (their fans) a bomb. The nightmare that was the brilliant The Final Cut: A Requiem For The Post War Dream.

So if you want a perfectly depressing afternoon then play in order Pink Floyd's Animals, The Wall, The Final Cut and Roger Waters Amused To Death. By the end of that play list you will consider all of your troubles little ones and you will be glad to be alive. So cheer up and listen to Floyd's Relics CD (but program out Careful with that axe, Eugene or you will be back feeling depressed again).

Thanx for reading.

Buy it!!