Standing ovation for pulsating performance
Pulse (Pink Floyd tribute) at Arlington Arts on Friday, October 1 Review by BRIAN HARRINGTON
I HAVE seen Pulse three times now, the last time at the end of February 2020, just before lockdown.
This was only their second gig following the easing of restrictions and I am happy to say that they remain an exceptional tribute to the complex and innovative music of the iconic
Pink Floyd. The core four-piece was augmented, as ever, by a saxophonist and an two excellent female backing singers. This enables Pulse to take on Floyd tracks which others might avoid. Probably due to Covid caution, unlike previous shows, tonight was not absolutely packed, but the enthusiasm of both audience and band shone through. Nothing beats the atmosphere of a live concert.
Pulse opened with a medley of tracks which flowed seamlessly into each other including Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Floyd’s 1975 tribute to Syd Barrett, Thin Ice and Astronomy Domine.
There was a broad range of tracks from all eras of Floyd’s career including See Emily Play and Arnold Layne, the two 1967 singles which perhaps established the band’s reputation. Learning To Fly was magnificent, as were High Hopes and Breathe.
The lights and the projected images on the backdrop behind the band suitably and cleverly enhanced the show, particularly for my money (yes, they played that too) the montage of politicians during Brain Damage. Comfortably Numb is often quoted as having one of the best guitar solos of all time, but Paul Hancock was more than equal to the task, as were backing singers Debbie and Nicole to the soaring and powerful Great Gig In The Sky.
Over two hours of superb live music ended with Wish You Were Here and Run Like Hell – with a brief segue in to The End by The Beatles (reflecting perhaps the expressed admiration of Roger Waters for The Beatles).
The audience rose to their feet to give Pulse the ovation they deserved.