It’s time for some Floyd.
Of course, the response to that statement from millions of classic rock fans would probably be along the lines of: “Well, what else is new? It’s always a good time to crank up some Pink Floyd!”
And we wholeheartedly agree, yet this time around we’re planning to get our Floyd fix in the cinema as “Pink Floyd at Pompeii — MCMLXXII” will be shown in movie theaters throughout the Bay Area (and beyond) this month.
This version of the legendary 1972 Pink Floyd concert film was digitally re-mastered in 4K from the original 35mm footage and features enhanced audio that has been newly mixed by Steven Wilson (from the prog-rock band Porcupine Tree).
Now, we’ve only experienced Wilson’s new mix via an advance stream on our computer, as opposed to the booming speakers that people will get in IMAX theaters and at other showings, but what we’ve heard still sounds terrific. Of course, it certainly doesn’t hurt matters that the four band members — guitarist-vocalist David Gilmour, keyboardist Richard Wright, drummer Nick Mason and bassist Roger Waters — were performing at such an incredibly high level during the filming.
Legendary concert film “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII” plays April 24-29 in Bay Area cinemas (courtesy Sony Music).
Plain and simple, the film is still a stunning achievement, capturing Pink Floyd in its full early-’70s grandeur as it performs on the floor of an ancient Roman amphitheater in Pompeii, Italy. It’s just the four of them in the house, with no audience (except for a barebones film/production crew), as they roar through such pre-“Dark Side of the Moon” classics as “Echoes,” “A Saucerful of Secrets” and “One of These Days.”
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Gilmour and Wright have plenty of great moments, as they were wont to do for most of Pink Floyd’s career, and Waters is also in top form. Yet, for our money, it’s Mason who keeps stealing the show — proving once again that he’s one of the most-underrated drummers in all of classic rock.
Legendary concert film “Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII” plays April 24-29 in Bay Area cinemas (courtesy Sony Music).
The film is currently set to screen April 24-27 at local cinemas. Visit pinkfloyd.film for showtimes and other information.
There will also be an accompanying live album released — on CD, digital audio, Dolby Atmos and vinyl — on May 2.
