E8: Guilty Treasures: Roger Waters - Amused to Death

[@lancedixon7772]

Gee Greg, my compliments again! this is an excellent commentary on the album, I believe that you have given it the justice and praise it deserves. This album is truly an epic work of art. I have used various tracks on this album as demos for the last 25 odd years, and have never tired of listening to it personally, it is just that good! To all those that listen to album for the first time, make sure to give yourself the time to listen, un-interrupted from start to finish, and make certain as Greg says to get the speakers and sweet spot set up perfectly and face directly forward.

[@gttaudio]

Thanks Greg for diving into this so deeply. I remember when this CD came out, it totally blew me away. Q-Sound was so cool. Sony should revive it and do more fun records with it. I really appreciate hearing the back story to this album, you handled it beautiful.

[@_944audiophile]

Coincidently, I listened to the last two ATD tracks last night via Qobuz HR and it did not disappoint. Tonight I will rediscover the entire recording with my favorite glass of Pinot Noir and low room lighting....I'll warn the neighbors...Thanks for your thorough review of this engaging masterpiece I only discovered in the Von Schweikert Audio Room at Axpona, through the mind-blowing Ultra 11's.

[@theaudioanalyst]

Thanks, Jack! It sounds like you are going to have a splendid evening! And guess who it was that tipped Damon and Leif off to this record... ;-)

[@_944audiophile]

@@theaudioanalyst -can't wait for the next private listening session... Something to look forward too in 2021 my friend!

[@jamesaitchison9478]

Stellar breakdown of the audio greatness of Amused To Death, easily my favourite album of all time. It's joyous to relax and enjoy the beauty and vividness of this album, truly a special work, and in my opinion Roger Waters' finest solo work, his Magnum Opus. It's such a shame this album was severely overlooked upon it's release compared to his exploits with Pink Floyd, though it stands toe to toe with the best that Floyd have to offer. A timeless classic that's as relevant today as it was upon release. Great video, highly enjoyed watching it, thanks for making this 👍

[@theaudioanalyst]

James, thanks for the kind words, AND for taking the time to drop by and watch!

[@marcus1970]

Three wishes and the final (title) track are my favourites... It's rare work like this that made me decide to turn my back on chasing multi channel (with compromise) to pursue higher fidelity with stereo again..... Another brilliant breakdown Greg. 👍🏻

[@theaudioanalyst]

Marcus Latuske-Hearl, thanks for your kind words...

[@bksherm]

Great review Greg.

[@hiresaudiocosta873]

I've never heard a review of an album presented in this form. Your enthusiasm and description makes me want to listen to this album. My system features an 18" Acoustic Elegance Infinite Baffle sub-woofer which plays subsonic frequencies (down to 3 1/2hz) with an effortless ease. Any my system is very immersive, so I can't wait to spend some quality time with this masterpiece. I'll let you know what I think after I get a minute. Maybe this afternoon.

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello Again! I simply do not have words to express how rewarding it is to discover that I may actually be able to accomplish what I have set out to do with this channel, even to some small degree... Thank you for sharing that you found (apparently) high value in this method of content delivery! Your reciprocal enthusiasm is exactly what I hoped to accomplish, and why I have chosen to adopt and leverage this platform for sharing my passion for music and its reproduction in our homes. Thank you so much for writing...you've made my day! Stay safe, and I can't wait to hear about your own personal experience with this album...

[@theaudioanalyst]

PS - I was so happy to learn about your take-away from this video that I completely spaced mentioning your system. Based on what you've said here, AND combined with what you've shared in previous conversations we've had, your system is more than up to the task here. You are in for a real TREAT, man... I'm excited to hear about your experience with this work... Thanks again!

[@damonvonschweikert131]

I couldn't agree with Greg more! Based on your description of your system and that you have yet to enjoy this recording, I'm both excited and a little envious of your upcoming experience. While I take great enjoyment in this masterwork whenever I play it, the first listening will never be forgotten imho.

[@hiresaudiocosta873]

@@theaudioanalyst Hello Greg. So I really didn't sit down and do a thorough listen yet, but I did skim through each track. I found the "Q" sound (or whatever it is called ) of the person talking over my left shoulder to be rather amusing. I wish more recordings used this effect. There is a version of Madonna's Vogue that starts out with "What are you looking" over your left shoulder, and then you hear "At" over your right. It's a really neat experience the very first time one experiences this effect. I still want to spend more time with this album, I just haven't made time for it yet. Gerald

[@theaudioanalyst]

@@hiresaudiocosta873 Hello Gerald... In fact, Madonna's 1990 "Immaculate Collection," on Sire, was the first commercial recording to ever use QSound... It is a trip. ;-)

[@neilfriedman]

This album is a masterpiece. Full stop

[@davidwrobinson5229]

Another excellent album commentary, Greg. Very well informed, articulate in content, and passionate in presentation. Lila really enjoyed it too! Keep ‘em flyin’! 😎

[@theaudioanalyst]

Thank you so much David! My best to Lila...

[@sickkids666]

What an excellent narrative of the album. I have heard the Analogue Production version and regretted not picking up the copy. Now, I HAVE to source this AP copy of this masterpiece. My wallet wont like you Greg 🤣

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello again, Priyo. Thanks for writing, and, sorry for the expense, but... It IS worth it. If you want the Analogue Sounds reissue, you may buy a new copy directly from Acoustic Sounds for $55 (store.acousticsounds.com/d/89109/Roger_Waters-Amused_To_Death-200_Gram_Vinyl_Record). If you have the patience and the dough, this is the version you should seek out in Mint - condition - www.discogs.com/Roger-Waters-Amused-To-Death/release/5508455. All versions are visible at DiscCogs here - www.discogs.com/Roger-Waters-Amused-To-Death/master/49965 . Enjoy!

[@234cheech]

this album was one of a kind back then the sound was revolution

[@ruudvanleeuwen7320]

Wow.., the way you explain the tracks gives me goosebumps thinking about the music itself. I own a 1980s audio system myself that still satisfies (which is why I'm already giving goosebumps in my mind), but I'd like to listen to this piece of art on a sublime audio system someday. Alone in a dark room. Thank you!

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello Ruud. Thanks so much for your kind words on my presentation of this simply stunning musical work. And I am SO happy to hear that you are not on the equipment merry-go-round; that you have a system that consistently brings you joy! Believe it or not, that IS the goal of this hobby! Thanks for writing... Happy holidays.

[@2011persol]

OH MAN, I CANNOT EVEN FATHOM HOW expensive those SPEAKERS in the background must BE!!!! friggin HIGH END, tht s for DARN sure.....!!!!? (not to say the BEHEMOTH OF AN AMPLIFIER tht has to DRIVE THOSE friggin MONSTERS!)

[@theaudioanalyst]

Thank you... My entire system may be viewed at my site (www.theaudioanalyst.com/reference-system/). There is also a video tour of the system in Episode 3 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6HadWWYbJ6npas), and a full run-down on the speakers in Episode 6 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/imrcY6Sdbq2Afqc), and you may read my full written review of them that appeared in The Absolute Sound (www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/von-schweikert-audio-ultra-9-loudspeaker/). They are the Von Schweikert Audio ULTRA 9 (www.vonschweikert.com/ultra-9), and they retail for $225,000/pr.

[@mitchellsnow9882]

That is a great and often overlooked album. I really dig this video, but as to "the Ballad of Bill Hubbard" and the Battle of the Somme (@9:00-ish), you were right the first time - it was indeed WWI.

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello Mitchell...Thank you for you kind words...and, for the correction about Somme. My apologies there, it was 12:30 AM my time, I'd had a brandy, and I was working with my editor on the west coast. I frantically assumed that my original research must have been mistaken. Since Eric Fletcher Waters, Roger's father, was killed during the British invasion of Anzio, Italy, in early 1944, when Roger was just three months old, that he would have been referencing WWII. Thanks again, and my apologies...

[@mitchellsnow9882]

@@theaudioanalyst: Yeah man, no problem! I actually assumed the mistake was due to the Waters/WWII connection, as I once made that mistake myself for that very reason. Anyway, I've been enjoying your channel!

[@brynlewis2867]

The spoken piece is from this documentary.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6fMhJyInZKSbZY

[@stevelane5885]

I have a DAT recording of the final mix given to me by Nick Griffiths who assisted Roger with this production.

[@theaudioanalyst]

That is a pretty cool gift to have in one's collection! Thanks for sharing!

[@davidpetersen7091]

Excellent! Mr. Pete---------> aging hippie

[@jmthompson437]

Thanks much for the "edutaining" review. Thou I have never once experienced this masterpiece on a great system, I heard it upon its release and have been listening to it ever since. Definitely in my "Top 3" all time favorite albums.

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello Jim... I'm happy you enjoyed this one. Thanks for tuning in.

[@CarazyDiamond]

Good Job Greg!, I was actually searching for Q-Sound functioning works with the headphones or not. the newer in-the-ears "buds" also unable to provide support or enhance the aural functioning of the Q-sound? Certainly, Roger Waters & Pink Floyd among the early & the few who adopted this 3D Q-Sound recording + mixing technique for their brilliant music and soundscapes they create.

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello. I have specifically searched the QSound site (www.qsound.com/index.htm) for details on how they feel their product works with headphones of all types, Over the Ear to Earbud, but cannot find ANYTHING there. My own experiments seem to suggest that it is nowhere near as effective, if even detectable, with headphones or other surround systems.

[@CarazyDiamond]

@@theaudioanalyst Thanx for the effort, I feared the same. In fact, in one of the recent interview on ATD reissue album, Roger said the same thing, that all the extra sounds/soundscapes works only on the conventional speaker system. So that was 2005 some 14 years back. A lot has changed since then, but strangely none can still do.

[@peteytwofinger]

you hit the nail on the head with this one

[@charlieanderson8497]

Possibly one of the greatest albums ever made. Both musically and sonically.

[@theaudioanalyst]

You'll get no argument from me on this position!

[@tderuvo]

Awesome bro

[@I_wish_I_knew_something]

Very good job! Fully agree with you. My views do not align with Waters, but I love his music and art

[@stevelane5885]

Well you could take the advice Roger gives at the start of the “This Is Not Drill” shows.

[@I_wish_I_knew_something]

@@stevelane5885 listened, don’t care.

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I've always loved this album and I view it as up there with The Wall. For me, this is far more of a Pink Floyd album than A Momentary Lapse of Reason is.

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello! I can sort of acknowledge your point with "A Momentary Lapse of Reason," as it was the first release to carry the Pink Floyd name without Waters. As it is, coming four years after "The Final Cut," many might consider it a David Gilmour solo album in all but name. Then again, "The Final Cut" may be just as easily considered to be a Roger Waters solo album as well, no? 😁

[@FloydGuy1980]

I am producing a retrospective film on Roger Waters. Could I please ask permission to maybe use a small clip of this video? Kind regardbarry

[@theaudioanalyst]

Hello Barry. So long as you properly attribute the content, I have no issues with that. May I ask what section has caught your interest?

[@FloydGuy1980]

I think it's interesting that you are reviewing Amused to Death as most do the reviews on the big four of the 70s If I use anything, I will credit it to you

[@theaudioanalyst]

@@FloydGuy1980Thank you. But, I don't understand your statement about Roger Waters "Big Four" during the '70s. The only release Roger had as a solo (or at least, a non-Pink Floyd member) was "Music from the Body," a soundtrack album, credited to Ron Geesin and Roger. His first real solo release came with 1984's "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking." You can't count Pink Floyd albums as Roger Waters works because, to my way of thinking, regardless of how clever Roger's lyrics were, without David's brilliant guitar playing and vocals, Rick's inspired keyboard work and backing vocals, especially when blended with Dave's, and Nick's splendid percussion work to craft the compositions, no one would have hung around to hear Roger's musings... Just my two hundredths of a buck. Thanks.