Richard BodinWhen he released his new album, David Gilmour claimed it was perhaps his best album since Dark Side of The Moon. I wouldn’t go that far. To me, I would say it is maybe the best since Wish You Were Here. (And no, I am not forgetting The Wall, but that album is its own entity in the entire career of Pink Floyd or Gilmour.)
Collaboration with Charlie Andrew: A Game-Changer
I do, however, understand where he comes from when he talks about making the album with his new producer, Charlie Andrew. The producer, known for his great work with Alt-J, was invited to listen to the album demos by Gilmour and challenged him straight away on some of his choices: “Well, why does there have to be a guitar solo there?” and “Do they all fade out? Can’t some of them just end?”
The legendary guitar hero welcomed this impartial approach: “He has a wonderful lack of knowledge or respect for this past of mine. He’s very direct and not in any way overawed, and I love that. That is just so good for me because the last thing you want is people just deferring to you.” The recording of this new album was more challenging for both, and this usually leads to great things. David managed to get Charlie onto the Guitar Solo Team, and Charlie helped David release some of his best work.
A family affair
The lyrics are all very beautiful, deeply moving. It’s difficult to single one out over another, as the album feels like a cohesive whole. One can sense the legend reflecting on his life, family, the passage of time, and the end drawing closer. Polly Samson’s words are beautifully colored in music by David and his peaceful voice, which has never really faltered over time, supported by the rest of the family with Romany, Charlie, and Gabriel all credited in one way or another.
Track Highlights
The album opens with Black Cat, a calm introduction leading into the title track Luck And Strange. Everything in this track is vibrant with emotion, from the lyrics to the sound of the keyboards played by the late Rick Wright. Back in 2007, before leaving on tour for On An Island, Gilmour gathered with his musicians for a barn session. Guy Pratt, Steve DiStanislao, David Gilmour, and Rick Wright were jamming and recording. Nothing more, nothing less. But the guitarist unearthed these sessions and decided to build upon them. When you think about it, Gilmour and Wright both defined the sound of Pink Floyd, and this is exactly what we get from this brilliant track.
The whole album maintains the standard set by Luck And Strange from the start — though without Rick Wright, of course. Gilmour delivers his best work under the watchful eye of Charlie Andrew. A couple of tracks have particularly stuck with me. Between Two Points is one of them. Romany Gilmour lends her voice and harp on this cover of the Montgolfier Brothers. The song is quite dark, her voice beautifully fragile, and everything comes together perfectly, balancing this delicacy with darkness. David’s solo comes naturally at the end, a perfect way to close the first side of the album.
The perfect way to open the second side comes with Dark and Velvet Nights and its steady, obsessive rhythm. The song is a bit refreshing with a slightly dirtier rock sound, highlighted by Hammond organs and guitar solos that dip into heavier tones. Scattered closes the album, sounding like scattered pieces of a Floydian past, led by one of the most influential artists reflecting on his career. The heartbeat, reminiscent of Dark Side Of The Moon, the piano echoing Echoes, and the guitar with bells calling back to The Division Bell all create a sense of full-circle nostalgia. On the CD version, Yes I Have Ghosts appears as a bonus track. This acoustic gem is low-key yet powerful and moving, with father and daughter singing together again.
A Career High at 78
Nine years after Rattle That Lock (2015), David Gilmour returns with his best solo performance yet. At 78, this legendary musician still knows how to impress his audience. After a busy year finishing the album, releasing it, and embarking on a successful sold-out tour, Gilmour seems far from done. Having expressed how much he enjoyed working with Charlie Andrew and his desire to collaborate again, Gilmour has recently stated he was ready for more… « starting now ». With such creative momentum, his next chapter promises to be just as captivating.
