On the Road with Fred

Gilmour Dazzles on U.S. Tour

Returning North America for his first solo tour in over 20 years, David Gilmour performed 10 shows in the month of April. The first set each tonight was comprised of Gilmour's recently released On An Island CD. By the time Gilmour hit California for four shows of the tour, the show was opening with "Breathe"> "Time" > "Breathe Reprise" before then proceeding to perform the new CD. The "Island" material proved just as exciting, and even more beautiful, than the Floyd classics which filled the second set.

David Crosby and Graham Nash joined shows in New York and Los Angeles, rounding out a truly magnificent backing band that was led by bassist Guy Pratt. Pratt sang lead vocals on "Take a Breathe," by far the most intense of the new material, and the only song of the show not sung by Gilmour.

Gilmour's talents shined as brightly as ever as he performed a wide variety of instruments, ranging from dobro to saxophone to the most unique banjo ever seen, in addition to a number of guitar solos so wondrous that he left little doubt as to the reason he had recently been named the world's #1 Fender player.

Set two was filled with Floyd classics, with one or two songs varying from night to night. One of the more intriguing additions to the set list came April 17 in Oakland, as "Arnold Layne," Floyd's debut single in 1967, was performed live for the first time.

The highlight of the tour was a 25 minute rendition of "Echoes" that closed the second set of each show, taking concert goers on a dazzling journey the likes of which few have ever witnessed. While the tour may not have answered the eternal question of "Which one's Pink," those in attendance were left longing for more from the man hailed as "the voice and guitar of Pink Floyd."

** First published in HONEST TUNE magazine, Spring 2006

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