In the Flesh (Live)

Roger Waters' exceptional 2000 DVD In the Flesh Live captures a superb concert held at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, OR, on June 27, 2000. The vocalist/bassist/guitarist's generous 24-song set relies primarily on Pink Floyd classics (especially songs from The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, and The Wall) and a few choice selections from two of his three solo albums, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking and Amused to Death. Curiously absent is anything from Radio K.A.O.S.. Waters is backed by a remarkable nine-piece core band of seasoned veterans, most notably guitarist/vocalist Doyle Bramhall II, guitarists Andy Fairweather-Low and Snowy White, keyboardist/guitarist Jon Carin, drummer Graham Broad, and backing vocalists P.P. Arnold, Katie Kissoon, and Susannah Melvoin.

The hero of In the Flesh Live, though, is really director/editor Ernie Fritz, for making it an outstanding home video presentation. His smooth, floating camera work lingers on the musicians, and that's the proper way to visually capture performances of this hypnotic music. A blistering "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" appears early on. "Dogs" crackles, complete with a mid-song, on-stage card game! "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-8)" is dedicated to its inspiration, founding Pink Floyd guitarist Syd Barrett. Waters honors Floyd's psychedelic beginnings with "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun." Saxophonist Norbert Stachel stands out on "Money." A uniquely effective but technically limited vocalist, Waters' primary strength has always been as a lyricist/songwriter, and his political and social criticism resonates with an emotional pow during the four-song barrage of "Perfect Sense (Parts I and II)," "The Bravery of Being Out of Range," "It's a Miracle," and "Amused to Death." A truly mesmerizing version of "Comfortably Numb" features Bramhall and White exchanging many guitar solos. The new song "Each Small Candle" ends the proceedings on a surprisingly optimistic note. The best DVD bonus is an enlightening behind-the-scenes documentary.