Someone once told me that Pink Floyd had a knack for reissuing and reselling the same albums time and again. I think that’s undeniable, especially when it comes to their discography from the ‘70s and ‘80s. But if there’s one of their works that hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves, always lingering in the background of Floyd’s catalog, it’s “Live at Pompeii.” Until now.
The original release of “Live at Pompeii” came in the form of a concert film, directed by Adrian Maben. The English rock band is seen performing in the ancient Roman amphitheater of Pompeii, Italy. They play a typical live set from the era, but there’s no audience beyond the basic film crew. Additional scenes, shot in a Paris television studio, were included for the original 1972 release.
The film was later re-released in 1974 with extra studio footage of the band working on “The Dark Side of the Moon” and interviews at Abbey Road Studios. This is the version most familiar to the band’s fans.
In addition to VHS editions of the 1974 version, the most notable re-release came in 2002, when a DVD was launched that combined the original film with more contemporary shots of space and the area around Pompeii, assembled by Maben. I should mention, by the way, that what I enjoyed most about that version was that the DVD also included the original concert footage, free of the segments showing the band recording and being interviewed at Abbey Road.
Now, more than 50 years after the original release, the film has finally been restored using modern 4K technology, and the audio has undergone a similar high-definition restoration treatment, mixed by none other than Steven Wilson. Beyond his highly successful career as a musician, Wilson has lent his talents to creating new mixes for reissues of a vast array of classic albums.
Steven Wilson’s mixes are known for their meticulous attention to detail, with a focus on sound clarity. This new release, titled “At Pompeii MCMLXXII”, is no exception. In addition to the film, which was screened in theaters, an audio-only version has been officially released for the first time, in modern formats including CD, digital audio, vinyl, and even a Dolby Atmos version.
I have to say, the new mixes sound phenomenal. The clarity and detail Wilson has achieved are stunning. The long wait was absolutely worth it. Every nuance of each instrument and the reverberant atmosphere of the Pompeii amphitheater come through vividly. The band’s vocals sound marvelous.
Those familiar with Floyd’s music but not with the original Pompeii film will find the band here at one of the most pivotal moments in their career: the transitional period when they shifted from the experimental and psychedelic sound of the ‘60s to their classic, spacial, and progressive style that propelled them to massive success and filled stadiums worldwide.
Without a doubt, devoted Pink Floyd fans will deeply appreciate this reissue and uncover new details in the music thanks to this high-definition focus. For my part, it’s a version I’m thoroughly enjoying and wholeheartedly recommend.
