This is the CD review of Gilmour's new concert. Even if you have read my DVD concert review, the CD set has some different material on it, making it also worth buying. I actually purchased this as part of one huge super special Shopaholic_man Deluxe 3 CD / 2 DVD Package from my local Best Buy, however, this review focuses on the 3 Live Concert CDs included in this wonderful concert package.  Long time readers of my reviews may already know that David Gilmour is one of my top ten favorite guitar players and that Pink Floyd is my favorite rock group of all time.  With my personal preferecnes and biases stated from the start, let's take a listen to this 3 CD set culled from a David Gilmour concert in Gdansk with a few other live performances thrown in for good measure.

CD ONE

David Gilmour performed an outstanding concert in 2006 in Gdanks Poland.  He had with him, not only his band from the On an Island Tour, including his friend and Pink Floyd bandmate Richard Wright (sadly departed a day before this CD set was released), but the entire Baltic Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. I do believe that it is the first time I have heard Pink Floyd performed with a full orchestra, and I loved it! The string sections really add to the grandeur of Pink Floyd's sound.

This CD actually has some cool stuff from the concert in Gdanks that was NOT on the concert DVD. The CD opens up with the beginning of Dark Side the Moon. Speak to Me, Breathe, Time and Breathe (reprise) are all performed live with the Symphony Orchestra before David Gilmour performs his entire On an Island album.  The album sounded awesome when I first bought it, and again when I heard David perform it live with David Crosby and Graham Nash at Royal Albert Hall (on DVD, I didn't get to actually go). Why get it again? Well, adding a symphony orchestra into the mix just makes it sound even more incredible.  I also think it is worth having the CD set in addition to the DVD set for the extra songs. (Of course, if you read my intro paragraph, you know I bought this as one complete set).  I've had these CDs in my car for several days, and just love to listen to it.  

CD TWO

This second CD contains the second half of the Gdansk concert, again with the Baltic Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.   This CD also includes extra songs not found on the DVD of the same show. The second half opens with a powerful performance of Pink Floyd's classic tribute to Syd Barrett, Shine on You Crazy Diamond.  It is of course a different version than that from the On an Island Tour or any previous Pink Floyd concert because it is the first time to my knowledge that it has been performed accompanied by an entire orchestra. Fat Old Sun and Wish You Were Here are also included from the concert and not on the DVD, again with the Baltic Philharmonic. Quite a performance!  The songs that round out the second half of the show are the same as the concert DVD, Astronomy Domine, High Hopes, Echoes, A great Day for Freedom and an encore of Comfortably Numb.   This CD set is a welcome addition to any Pink Floyd collection.

CD THREE

If you were lucky enough to get this set with the third bonus CD you are in for even more of a treat. Bonus performances from the On an Island Tour are presented including Shine on you Crazy Diamond, Dominoes (remember that Syd Barrett tune? It's from his self titled solo album), The Blue, Take a Breath, Wish You Were Here, Coming Back to Life, Find the Cost of Freedom, This Heaven, Wearing the Inside Out, A Pocketful of Stones, Where We Start and On the Turning Away.


LISTENING EQUIPMENT

These CDs were listened to on a Yamaha RX V663 set to Neural Surround Sound for a surround sound effect. Speakers used were Cambridge Soundworks MC400s and a Velodyne SPL Series 1000 II subwoofer.  Chair used to conduct evaluations was a motorized leather theater recliner chair from Jordan's Furniture set in full recline position. Keyboard used to type this review was a Microsoft Digital Media Keyboard 3000. Mouse was by Logitech.  Review was uploaded via Comcast Digital Cable Internet service.  Cookies eaten during review were homemade chocolate chip and baked by my girlfriend.  No peanuts or peanut products were used. No animals were harmed during this review.

Summary

Gilmour fans probably already bought this album.  Pink Floyd fans should also go out and get this, there is plenty of PF material here to make Floyd fans happy and they may well find that Gilmour's solo material pleases them.  I love this purchase, now if only I could afford the Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Special Edition Stratocaster. If  you can, you will get this CD set for free with your purchase of the  David Gilmour Custom Fender Strat.  Five Stars.

If you are thinking of purchasing this as the 2 CD 1 DVD set, please also read my review of the 2 DVD Set

David Gilmour Live in Gdansk

The DVD that comes in the 3 pack is the first DVD reviewed there.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening