- Whoa man.
On his second attempt, Rogers Waters has truly built an impressive version of ‘The Wall.’ The stage show he visited the Quicken Loans arena with last night, particularly the huge state-of-the-art video projections, helped to dramatically illustrate and expand the story featured in Pink Floyd’s famous 1980 rock opera.
Waters has been given nearly sole credit for the creation of ‘The Wall,’ and it’s clear he’s both rightfully proud of his work and meticulously dedicated to presenting the show exactly how he hears and sees it in his head. Problem is, the whole thing felt a bit too planned out, a little cold, despite the best efforts of the highly talented backing musicians Waters brought with him.
Granted, the show’s themes of isolation and loss don’t lend themselves to a celebratory performance, but for all his many talents, Waters is simply not a dynamic frontman. His vocals were spot-on all night long, almost suspiciously so give how little his body moves while singing some of the high notes, but he frequently appeared to be either hitting his marks or basking in the attention rather than telling a story.
The second half of the story, especially the trial scene, remains a bit of a narrative muddle and a more charismatic on-stage presence might help pull the listener through it better. It was still a fantastic spectacle, but what if he let the next generation, perhaps some irreverent young Broadway performers, tear up his finely crafted work a bit next time? — Matthew Wilkening
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2010.
You’re review sucks!!! Let Broadway hack it up next time and that would be better!? What kind of Waters fan are you??? This was his brainchild and masterpiece and he did a phenomenal job reconstructing it in this most fantastic theatrical way! Yes it is somewhat cold and isolating but it is a political and emotional commentary on everything that inspired the original AND everything that has transpired within the last 30 years since its conception and ANY real fan gets that. Next time, send someone with emotional intelligence to review this kind of show and let this reviewer work a Justin Beiber show!!!!!!.
Did you at least like the photo?
The review sucks, This show was phenomenal!!!! anyone who understands waters and the whole story this represents should get it, NO-ONE I mean NO-ONE should re-do this masterpiece!!!!! Thats why I hate when people who dont understand the story or go to the show cuz they like a song like comfortably numb have opinions that truly make no sense to those who understand the whole iconic piece!! so i guess the reviewer is upset they didnt do us and them or time as an encore, lame lame lame
I agree the show was a masterpiece & I also am completely satisfied that Roger’s original visions stayed loyal to this new production. There were many attempts to “modernize” the overall story (i.e., presenting personal bricks of soldiers, firefighters, etc. which were killed in action recently). I actually shed a couple of tears when he walked on stage and said; “So you think you, might want to go to the show…” I have never listened to an album more times than The Wall and have watched the movie on a plethera of occasions. My only complaint is how much he mocks our government (and yes, I understand the original intent was to vilify the Germans & Soviet Union, but as I said, he inserted updates) yet prospers from the Capitalism that we provide. A ticket anywhere near the stage was $200! Was it worth it for me? Damn straight! But I had to post my one critique.
Matthew, as a critic that you are, you wrote what you experienced and relayed to your readers how you felt about the show. No one can say that your take on the show was wrong. Those are your opinions and observations. JulesD and Handzfree obviously did not appreciate your write up. I side with them on the negatives that you pointed out. ronniej3 and I must have been cut out of the same mold, for I also have listened to the The Wall since it’s inception in1979 and have never stopped since. I have viewed Bob Geldolf perform true magic to the roll of Pink in the movie version. I thought the Berlin show was masterfully handled with the enormous list of musicians who helped out on that show. Yet I drift away from this years Wall. Having seen various shows Roger has put on, In The Flesh ( 2 times ), KAOS, An Evening with Roger Waters, I was ready for The Wall. Hell, I have had 30 years of viewing and listening pleasure to sit back and soak in the masterpiece that it is and will always be. From the opening pyrotechnics straight through till the wall crumbled, I must have looked like a kid in a candy store with a grin from ear to ear. I know Roger, like any aging musician was not going to approach this show to meet the rigidness of the film, or even that of the original score, he took the stage, stared us all down, and in his lyrical mastery, he told us just what we sometimes overlook in today’s world. He doesn’t pull any punches and has taken some recent criticism of his own for use of the Star of David. Let’s understand the use of a symbol before condemning somone.
The show was all I hoped it would be and more. No there would be no need for an encore, the show told the story and breaking into a song not even related to The Wall would not have served its purpose. Roger will enjoy out the remainder of this life and know deep in his heart he left a work of music that will be played and disected for years to come.
Matthew, your review was not bad. It was your review. I wanted to share mine.
Thanks, waters00!