09/18/08 - Album Review - David Gilmore "Live At Gdansk"

Tutelage Led By Vinny "Bond" Marini Thursday, September 18, 2008





It seems almost cosmic, because next week, David Gilmour Live In Gdańsk a double live album plus concert DVD will be released on September 23rd on Columbia Records.

Why cosmic? Well Monday I received TWO copies of the 2-disc CD (DVD not included) and Richard Wright appears with Gilmour, playing keyboards and contributing vocals.
As I write this, it is playing in the background and let me tell you folks...it is fantastic.


David Gilmour Live In Gdansk, the first solo live album from Pink Floyd’s singer / guitarist, captures the magic of his concert held in front of 50,000 in the Gdansk shipyards, the final performance of his critically acclaimed 2006 On An Island tour.

That album has achieved multi-platinum status around the world, reaching number 1 in Europe, number 1 in the UK and number 6 in the U.S. It is the first ever live recording with an orchestra of Pink Floyd’s "High Hopes" and "A Great Day For Freedom", the latter performed here as a one-off for this special Solidarity anniversary.

The rest of the band includes Phil Manzanera on guitars and vocals; Jon Carin on keyboards; lap steel guitar, programming and vocals; Guy Pratt on bass guitar and vocals; Steve DiStanislao on drums and vocals and Dick Parry on saxophone and keyboards.

They perform with the Baltic Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Zbigniew Preisner.

The sound on this recording is vibrant and full. Gilmour's vocals and guitar playing sound as good as I have ever heard. The Orchestra behind them add a special dimension to the new songs and turn old favorites into new experiences.

The song collection includes "Time", "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", and "Wish You Were Here""Comfortably Numb" along with 18 other musical treats.

If you are a 'Floyd Fan', this is a must have for your collection.

YES, I said I received TWO COPIES. My contact at Sony/BMG was kind enough to include a copy for me and one to give-away to one of my lucky guests.

Personally, I saw Floyd twice live in concert and both times were spectacular events. Once was at Stony Brook University on Long Island during their Atom Heart Mother tour in 1970-71 and the second was at Madison Square Garden during their Wish You Were Here tour in 1975-76.

I have always been a huge fan of the space-psychedelic-improvisational album Ummagumma and would use various tracks to open and close my radio show in Rochester.

So, are you a fan of Floyd? Want to have this historic album in your collection?

Simple enough...write a comment telling me why you should have it. Tell me a story about a Floyd experience, whether it was seeing them in concert or one of their songs making an impact on your life.


ENJOY.....