PINK FLOYD – The Later Years 1987-2019
- Posted on 20-12-2019
This single CD set by the legendary Pink Floyd, which is culled from the huge and expansive box set bearing the same title that was recently released, is an interesting collection of cuts and tracks by the Gilmour/Mason/Wright-led line-up (or the 1987-2019 era, if you will) and nicely illustrates the many positives of this period of the group’s career.
Although the disc does not contain any pieces that I would deem utterly essential or must-haves, it does have its fair share of great moments, primarily the tunes lifted from their glorious 1990 Knebworth performance. Other notable ones include “Sorrow” and “High Hopes (Early Version)” whereas “Marooned Jam” and “Lost for Words” are a tad lackluster. Having been remixed in 2019 gives the song material a subtle lift and a slight boost, and if anything, “The Later Years 1987-2019” sounds crisp, clear, and bright. There is absolutely no point in discussing the otherworldly talent and quality of the musicianship, because…well, let’s face it, this is Pink Floyd, right?! Being partial to the “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” and “Division Bell” records as well as the aforementioned Gilmour/Mason/Wright constellation, I do find this album an entertaining and worthwhile listen, but again; to deem it a mandatory purchase would be a bit of a stretch unless you are a hardcore fan of the ensemble. Let me put it this way; there are more musically rewarding outputs by Floyd out there than this one, and in many ways, it feels more akin to a sampler or a teaser than an actual compilation, if that makes sense. Should you wish to sample a few tracks from the box set, then I reckon this CD might come in handy.
“The Later Years 1987-2019” offers a brief glimpse of something that is much larger in scope, but despite the absence of truly exhilarating renditions of mostly familiar compositions, certain things presented here do warrant closer inspection and analysis.