Alone Together - Dave Mason

Advantages: Great live performances
Disadvantages: Sanitised without Roger Waters

...Pink Floyd live! At one time this would have been considered a contradiction in terms. Their music showed the affects that drugs, plus Roger Waters is a bit barking anyway, had on their music. However, this is a nicely sanitised version of some of their best tracks and could be considered a good place to start for the uninitiated. The line up is minus dodgey Roger, but Dave Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright don't appear to miss him in the slightest. The live shows are infamously packed with lasers lights and a large sound, but obviously you only get to hear as opposed to see. Recorded in August during their 1988 tour, here are 15 tracks that are instantly known to PF fans. If this is to be your first introduction to the band, and you like them, please bear in mind the original tracks are probably 3 times more atmospheric (please... Read review

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Advantages: The Live Album
Disadvantages: The Studio Album

...The first time Floyd's self indulgence got the better of them. It's a double album (that never usually bodes well), consisting of a live album (Oh no) and then a studio album where each member of the band is allowed to express their artistic integrity (Oh my god, Works by ELP anyone). The live album is worth five stars, so if they had split the set it would have been easy to rate. It consists of four extended versions of studio tracks all of which are enhanced by the live environment. The first album consists of Astronomy Domine from the first album ,A Saucerful of Secrets and Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun from their second album and Careful With That Axe Eugene which was a single B Side. The studio album is much what you would expect, only Dave Gilmour's (Guitars) Narrow Way salvaging any respect. Nick Mason's (Drums... Read review

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Advantages: An eclectic mix by a new, undiscovered talent
Disadvantages: Only five tracks, on import only.

...in this short but to the point tale "Whose going to carry him down" and sounds thoroughly depressed as do I after listening to it. "He's sleeping in the tunnel He's edging towards the vent He's a lonesome river swimmer Wondering where the river went. " "Not Lie Down" was written when Mason had been bereft of company for a week. He seems to be arguing with himself throughout this track about fighting his inner demons and not succumbing. What I like about this track is we can all empathise with his plight be it not succumbing to the midnight munchies or that pointless drink while sat alone. Mason also examines the importance of company on such occasions and how often the important other person in your life is so often right. "You know that you are right God damn you, you're always right Why the hell can't i remember that, each time we start... Read review

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