Dark Side of the Moon, Classic Pink Floyd

Music is something that is often discussed. People, listening to the very same song, can each have a different interpretation of what the ‘music is saying’. I guess we just assume that the writer of the music is striving to make a statement, perhaps even a personal statement. Dark Side of the Moon was Roger Waters’ personal statement.

I had no idea what this DVD would entail. Maybe concert footage and a few interviews, but other than that I simply had no concept of the mindset I would be entering. If you are a Pink Floyd fan you absolutely must have this DVD, if you have never even considered Pink Floyd, this would be an experience you should have.

Throughout the DVD there are vocal, instrumental and verbal interviews. Each song is given the structure of evolving from a single chord, an unspoken thought, an eerie idea. Shots of concert footage is practically nil on the DVD but you don’t miss or need these moments in time. The few shots are telling. The older footage, when the Floyd was young, of the fans standing raptly listening to the music seem much different from other concerts I have attended, even Floyd concerts. They appear almost mesmerized, some mouths were open, faces showed amazement and even awe. Such was Pink Floyd in the 70's and such was Dark Side of the Moon.

And yet, even as they show these burgeoning moments in time, these thoughts beginning to form by each band member, they fast forward to the present. Much older now, each individual member recollects instances while making the album, each member plays their favorite pieces. They still show love of their craft, ghostly images still looking down at their hands while they play. The hair no longer tumbles over their shoulders and over their faces, the hands are older with signs of arthritis and age, the voices aren’t as crisp or synthesized. But each, and all, are still Pink Floyd.

After watching the entire video and the extras section, my own thoughts about the music were once again brought to mind. Sure, I can say that my original feelings when I listened to DSOTM many years ago were similar to what Waters was saying, but it doesn’t really matter to the world in general.

One particularly sad statement made by Gilmour held a punch for me. He stated he would have loved to be one of those people that picked the album up, eons ago, and listened to the completed project from beginning to end. He stated that would probably have been almost a magical experience and he never got to experience that feeling. It made me sad to think that something as powerful as DSOTM has been over the years could never be fully experienced by the participants. I guess I never thought of things like that before.

Pink Floyd isn't something you can shove on anyone. They must come to them on their own and find their own peace within the music.

I experienced Pink Floyd live, before Waters left the group, then again after Waters left. I saw Waters in concert later as well. And while I enjoyed each experience I understand so much more about the music that is Pink Floyd now that I’ve seen this DVD.

It never occurred to me that each selection was hand mixed, in fact you don’t think about such things as where or how sounds come from. The background steps of the mixing by all participants brings it down to a level even a music dummy like me can identify with. I got the biggest kick out of the ‘cash register’ sound in Money. Great joke, and a great mind to think it up.

Probably the greatest surprise was the playback of the original demo tapes for several of the songs. How they ever sold a record or got a gig from those tapes is amazing.

Interviewed and playing live on the DVD were David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Alan Parsons, Storm Thorgerson, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright.

No, I don’t know any more now than I did before about musical instruments. I still don’t know the difference between the different types of guitars there are, I can only admire the end result. That may seem an abomination to music fans but you don’t have to know what kind of horse it is if you think it is a beautiful horse. To me, Dark Side Of The Moon is one beautiful horse.

"And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear.
And if the band you're in
Starts playing different tunes
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon" ~ Brain Damage, Waters


Thanks,
Susi