Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, March 13, 2019: Shows I’ll Never Forget

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Paramount Theater, Seattle, WA When I learned that Nick Mason was assembling a band to perform Pink Floyd material that pre-dated Dark Side of the Moon – the album that transitioned the band from a quirky psychedelic outfit to superstars — I made sure that friends who loved that music knew about it.

Ironically, when their first North American tour was announced I didn’t intend on going. Revivals where one original band member forms a group can go spectacularly wrong, depending on certain factors: the prominence of the starring band member in the originating band, the relevance of the accompanying performers involved, and the choice & presentation of the material are among the factors that determine whether the new enterprise either leans more towards reverently revisiting a certain era or is mostly an attempt to capitalize on a huge and well-known brand.



I wasn’t even aware that Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets had scheduled a date in Seattle, Wash., for March 13, 2019, until longtime friend Jonathan Sindelman told me he would be traveling to attend that show. (Jonathan is an astounding keyboard wizard contributing to my forthcoming album of Beatles-esque prog Creetisvan and is working on projects featuring his own material — he’s a major talent to watch.) I was one of those fans who bought most of the early Floyd albums, and had never seen most of that material ever played live: I hadn’t attended a Floyd concert until after Dark Side of the Moon shot to the top of the charts and stayed there, seemingly forever.

After having attended the second show of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets’ North American tour, I was so glad I didn’t miss it after all. Through the aforementioned factors, I can explain why this show worked so well for me — and, as the 2019 North American tour has just started, why you should not miss it whether or not you too have an affection for early Floyd.

Gravitas of the band member involved: When one is the drummer of a popular band, it can be a challenge to be the main attraction driving fans to buy tickets for your performances. Usually, the key member in this situation is a singer or guitarist with a signature sound. There are very few drummers who could command that kind of attention (the best example being Ringo Starr) – and, in this case, Nick Mason easily fits the bill. To the casual listener he might be “just” Pink Floyd’s drummer, but to those savvy fans who really know Pink Floyd’s history, Mason was a key contributor to the songs and recordings, as well as a talented percussionist who played a big role in that band’s performances.

Throughout the years, Mason has proven in interviews to be personable, charismatic, and witty, and all of those qualities came through in the Seattle performance when he charmingly chatted up the audience between songs. Mason might not bring in the numbers of fans who attend shows by Roger Waters or David Gilmour (a situation that I hope this review will help to rectify), but in terms of importance and presence, Mason is right up there with those two members. Mason mentioned Waters and Gilmour in a joke about how Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets was not to be confused with either of them, and rightfully stated that without Syd Barrett none of us — band or audience — would have been at the Paramount Theater in Seattle that night. It was equally gratifying that Mason made a point of remembering the late Richard Wright, also a Floyd founding (and beloved) member.

The other musicians supporting the key member: In the case of Mason’s band, these weren’t just a bunch of random talents who have little connection to the main attraction. Bassist and singer Guy Pratt is a longtime Floyd alumnus who had participated in the Floyd tours for A Momentary Lapse of Reason and The Division Bell, as well as having performed on David Gilmour’s solo shows. Guy Kemp was a member of Spandau Ballet, and was right at home playing guitar and adding vocals to the early Floyd repertoire. Keyboardist Dom Beken had been in projects with Pratt and was successful in his approach channeling Wright, and guitarist Lee Harris contributed some astounding guitar playing alongside the others in what was a very tight and interconnected ensemble.

The presentation and choice of songs performed: While Gilmour and Waters have focused mainly on later Floyd material the main reason Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets exists was to recapture the experimental vibe of Floyd’s first few years of being. By taking this approach, NMSoS avoided falling into the trap of being perceived as a glorified tribute band, which might also have been the case if the setlist consisted only of Syd Barrett-penned material. By focusing on the output during and after Barrett’s tenure in Pink Floyd, the show was a treasure trove of riches – from straightforward but solid songs (“Arnold Layne,” “Bike,” “Fearless,” and “See Emily Play” were amongst the standouts) and the more instrumentally driven selections (including “Astronomy Domine,” “Atom Heart Mother” and “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun”).

At one point, they attempted to perform “One of These Days” but encountered a problem with Pratt’s pedals. Rather than abandon the song altogether, the band launched into “Childhood’s End” before briefly leaving the stage to resolve the aforementioned problem: They knew that that “One of These Days” was an important song in the set and that it needed to be done, and done right. And right it was: The eventual performance for that tune did not disappoint, with its bouncy bass intro and the staccato keyboard interlude bringing the show to a rousing end before the encore. (The entire Seattle set list can be found here.)

While those comments address the choice of material, none of those songs would have been effective without a well-oiled unit and stellar stage presentation. With so much of the current live musical landscape consisting of less than compelling musicianship and placing frontline dancers over talented players, Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets points to how audiences are receptive to performances filled with musical dynamics including dramatic shifts in tone and intensity, accompanied by dynamic stage lighting and effective sound mixing. (I was sitting on the main floor not far from the stage, and I’m still not sure if I was hearing speakers behind me or the sound bouncing off the back wall. Either way, it worked wonderfully, considering the songs presented.) Very few performers currently offer this caliber of entertainment to the masses, and only a few others come to mind; these include Yes with or without Anderson Rabin Wakeman (take your pick), Steve Hackett, Billy Cobham, King Crimson and Queen, all mainly performing their “classic” material.

Perhaps one day in the near future, we’ll see someone previously unknown arrive on the scene who will provide a similar musical experience along these lines. In the meantime, if you’re sitting on the fence while you decide whether to attend an upcoming show in your area, then let me push you off and into the arms of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets. If you have any fondness for that early Pink Floyd material — or are just hungry for an inventive and effective rock show that is all too rare nowadays — then chances are that, like me, you’ll be extremely happy you took a chance to attend a concert that you might have otherwise missed – and one that you won’t soon forget.

©2019 Mike Tiano. All Rights Reserved.


Mike Tiano