The Greatest Live version of Comfortably Numb (Updated)

Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb is undoubtedly one of the greatest pieces of music ever composed on the electric guitar. And if you’ve heard the studio version, it’s literally impossible to not get blown away by the myriads of live versions of the solo that Gilmour has played through the years (or decades). And the great thing about the live renditions is that each of them brings a distinctly characteristic feel to the solo--making all of them memorable and unique by their own, it’s almost like entirely different takes on the original studio version.

For example, the Delicate Sound of Thunder (DSOT) version has a darker and more tormented feel overall, there are parts of the solo where it’s unlike anything ever heard from Gilmour. This version is also the most ‘badass’ and raw version of the Comfortably Numb solo, which was how Gilmour played it during the Momentary Lapse tour in the late 80’s. And until Live in Gdansk came out, this was my favorite version of the solo.

Also, Gilmour’s playing had undergone a bit of an evolution during The Division Bell (TDB) album--it’s hard to explain but if you listen to the solos in TDB, you’ll know. Where earlier he played with a minimal-yet-impactful style of soloing with a great balance between the pace and the spaces, later on from TDB, Gilmour’s playing was a bit more 'expansive' and ‘prosaic’. So in that sense, the DSOT version of Comfortably Numb sounds a lot more ‘Vintage-Gilmour’ than the later live versions. Not that it matters musically, of course.

Next is the P.U.L.S.E version, which is probably the most fan-favorite version of the Comfortably Numb solo. Personally, I’ve always felt this solo to be a bit bloated, with it’s slower pace coupled with the long duration of the ‘repetitive’ sections of the solo. Of course, musical taste is subjective and one person’s opinion means nothing. Overall, I preferred the DSOT version over this one, by an hair’s breadth. Also, I liked the sharp tone of the DSOT version more than the ‘fat’ and more dry sound used in P.U.L.S.E.

Of course, the ‘uncut’ version of the P.U.L.S.E solo is much better, even with the little mistakes. If you haven’t heard it yet, I strongly recommend that you do.

Then came the Gdansk version which I thought was the most definitive version of this solo--grizzled, soaring, and has the power to cut deeper than all the other live versions I’ve heard. The massive distortion also adds to the emotional weight of the solo and makes it feel more ‘lively’ and nuanced than the Pulse version which was just a little too smooth, if you know what I mean.

But after listening to tons of bootlegs and audience recorded versions of the Comfortably Numb solo on Youtube, it’s been clear to me that there are several live versions that easily surpass all of these above mentioned, put-on-record versions, by a country mile. It’s a real shame to see that these versions never got to see the proper treatment they deserved--they should’ve been the ones to end up on records.

Take the New Orleans version that Gilmour played back in the Division Bell tour--it’s so much better than the Pulse version that it made absolutely no sense why they didn’t put it on the record. It would’ve been truly amazing if we got that version in full audio-recording glory.

But after listening to more and more great live versions of the solo, I have come to believe that I've finally found the definitive and single greatest live rendition of the Comfortably Numb solo that I've ever heard on the Internet. And it's the 7th solo listed in this amazing compilation video of the greatest live versions of the solo, the one Gilmour played at Strasbourg in 1994 at the Division Bell tour. 

 

In fact, all of the solos in this compilation video is phenomenal, which goes to show just how much of a master musician David Gilmour really is and his sheer improvisational prowess, which is frankly among the very best I've ever seen in terms of music, even transcending the entirety of Western Music in general. There's no other musician who can reinvent his music in this many ways and make it all sound equally unique and memorable, or no one that I know of, at least.

The solo played here is transcendental and there’s no other way I can put this other than it has the most profound musical power to make you feel things that you just can't put in words. Emotionally moving and musically unforgettable, each note of this solo feels like they're part of an endlessly beautiful and deep tapestry of ethereal sonic elixir. Also, there's not a single bum note or technical mistakes in the entire solo which makes it even more special. Overall, this solo defies words and you'd just have to listen to it to experience all it's glory so without further ado...tune in from here in this video and let the music speak for itself. 

 

Also a massive thanks goes out to the user who made this phenomenal compilation of these amazing live versions of Comfortably Numb and without his sheer passion and dedication we might never have gotten the chance to hear this unforgettable rendition so kudos to him for making this great video which I'm sure will be loved and cherished by not just fans of Pink Floyd, but for lovers of Music all over the World.