h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Tuesday, February 22, 2000

On Monday I received in the mail "When the Moment Is Right", a 2-CD recording of Roger Waters (ex- Pink Floyd) live in the US in 1999.

The RoIO (recording of illegitimate origin, as these things are referred to by the online Pink Floyd (PF) community, who don't like to use the word b**tleg, for reasons of legality) contains an entire concert as performed by Roger with his band on his "In The Flesh" tour.

I am so very excited to receive this RoIO. Although I have a number of other PF RoIOs, this was my first venture into online trading within the Echoes community (Echoes is the predominant PF mailing list), and it was entirely a pleasant experience.

You see, they have what is anachronistically known as tape-trees, which confusingly deal with the trading of compact discs. The principles behind these schemes, as collectively approved by the online community, are rather noble and pleasing to the soul, if I may use hyperbole. The basic idea is that no one should make any money off PF, but that all fans should share PF in order that we may all enjoy the subtle and introspective noodlings found therein. Tape-trees are just one method of trading where someone who has an original RoIO of a gig will alert the community that they are willing to share the RoIO. Interested parties then sign up as either a branch (to receive the RoIO from a higher branch and copy it for those below) or a leaf (to merely receive the RoIO). I was a leaf in this latest instance, and to gain my copy of the RoIO in question, I could either send my branch four blank CD-Rs or two CDs worth of RoIO (the general rule is two blanks or one RoIO for one RoIO). As I am unable to burn CDs, I took a chance and sent my branch two of my RoIOs, trusting in the inherent goodness that I faithfully believed he would possess. The upshot of all this is my recent package in the mail containing my two discs, returned safely, and two new discs showcasing a FANTASTIC concert.

I am really happy with this RoIO. The sound quality is excellent, the talent displayed is breathtaking, and just hearing Roger (this is the first I've heard of him since his 1992 "Amused to Death" album) was a dream come true. My favourite PF song, "Dogs" is performed in its circa-17 minute entirety, as are plenty of excerpts from all the 'classic' PF -era albums (1973-1983), as well as from each of Rog's solo efforts.

For more info about the RoIO, ask me(!) or visit the project online at http://members.xoom.com/Gilmour51/roio-art/990804-WhenTheMomentIsRight/

In the spirit of things, I will record this RoIO onto a couple of cassette tapes for anyone who asks. This is an open-ended offer, so if you're reading this in a couple of years, feel free to hold me to my word.

-pleBa