Of course, I am not objective, due to the fact that David Gilmour is an absolute highest for me erstwhile it comes to musical tastes. That is why, before I publically “brought delight” I gave myself time to interact with this release, and what can I say? I drowned in that music and no 1 saves me!
It is an album so beautifully painted, so rich in various flavors, melodies and arrangements that I perceive to baking all the time, incapable to come out of admiration! I find something fresh on each approach, and I know it'll be a long time. After the "Rattle That Lock" (previous record) I besides scope regularly and despite the passing of almost a decade, I inactive catch a taste – a item that Gilmour added somewhere and it is expected to be irrelevant, and yet!
"Luck and Strange" was recorded for 5 months in Brighton and London, among others in a studio owned by another large guitarist and composer, legendary founder of the Dire Straits group Mark Knopfler. They are liable for production David Gilmour and Charlie Andrew. This is an interesting cooperation, due to the fact that Andrew approached Gilmour's work very freshly. The artist himself recalls the beginning of his relation with the producer: “We invited Charlie home, so he came, perceive to any demo versions and said, ‘Well, why does there should be guitar solo? Do they all fade? Can’t any of them just end?”
This became in my feeling the top asset of the album – alternatively of long solos we get quite a few tunes, quite a few space for instrumentalists and a full lot of arrangement decorations, which are utilized as a spice for a perfect dish.
Speaking of instrumentalists, there is real cream on the disc and it can be heard in all track. These are among others. Tom Herbert, Adam Betts, Steve Gadd, Roger Eno, Steve De Stanislao, Rob Gentry, Will Gardner. Besides, there's an accent of a friend's memory. As a bonus, the album was recorded live "jam" (improvisation) with the participation of Pink Floyd keyboardist since 2008 Rick Wright.. On the basis of this improvisation, Gilmour composed the song beginning the album and being at the same time its title, "Luck and Strange".
Musically no orchestration Preisner's Bitter, who collaborated with the guitarist on 3 productions – studio albums “On an Island” and “Rattle That Lock” and performance album “Live in Gdańsk”. True, the orchestrations on the fresh album are wonderful, but I was kind of hoping for the participation of an outstanding Pole...
Not only did David Gilmour's children – Romana and Joe participate in the recordings. For many years, lyrics to the artist's solo albums have been written by his wife Polly Samson. I must admit that the songs from Romana brought something fresh and highly fresh to Gilmour's music. "Between 2 Points" is 1 of the most interesting compositions of the artist in many years. Simple, with a somewhat disturbing climate and a line of voice. Additionally, the colour of Romana Gilmour worked beautifully here. I look forward to the young artist's solo album.
The lyrics mostly talk about aging and impressions after the period of "pandemic". However, Polish music media (in spite of what the author herself says) emphasize that the album talks about "war in Ukraine".
Here we come to little pleasant aspects of David Gilmour's activities. Yes, he is somewhat politically involved. The artist’s views could be described as “to pain correct British conservatism”. Of course, in this context, he supports the Ukrainian side in the conflict that takes place abroad, taking a typical English attitude – “Let us fight Russia to the last Ukrainian” (he himself dresses it in the rhetoric of “freedom and democracy”). It should be remembered that Gilmour comes from a wealthy English household (from Cambridge), so naturally this is the kind of optics the planet adopts. Unfortunately, in 2022 he recorded under the name Pink Floyd (has the right to a name) a track for “the fighting Ukraine”.
It is no secret that political views were 1 of the main causes of disagreement between David Gilmour and the another charismatic leader Pink Floyd Roger Waters, which resulted in the departure of the bass player and (timely) the band's disintegration. Roger Waters is definitely politically incorrect. He loudly calls for peace in Ukraine, condemns Anglo-Saxon imperialism, supports Palestine in conflict with Israel, and speaks warmly of policies considered by the "collective west" as dictators. Gilmour, on the another hand, presents "correct views", characteristic of almost all of the British and American artists' environment, just as Mark Knopfler mentioned earlier (his music has besides loved since childhood).
As you may have guessed politically, I was definitely closer to Waters, but I always appreciated Gilmour more musically.. Well, I've learned to separate these 2 layers from myself a long time ago, due to the fact that if I had to perceive to only musicians with whom I agree politically, I would gotta quit on the lion's share of the favourite artists.
Interestingly, in Poland, 1 of the leading music newspapers got a small besides powerfully active in politics and a large part of the cover article about the fresh album Gilmour devoted "the fighting Ukraine", as well as how the artist constantly talks about it... Well, I've looked at the press and the English-language interviews and THIS IS NOT the case!
On the occasion of the promotion of the fresh Gilmour album, he does not focus on this subject at all – if he is not tired by journalists in questions. Polish journalists, of course, are tired, but the artist is not very expressive. I do not think that Gilmour is so profoundly afraid about the war in Ukraine, as if the Polish media wanted it. In the abroad press, which does not ask him at all (also symptomatic) the artist on this subject is silent!
David Gilmour has recorded an EXCELLENT CD. This is how I justice her by trying to keep an nonsubjective approach (as far as possible). The artist himself estimates that this is his best evidence since "Dark Side Of The Moon". It's definitely his most mature solo album. The full thing is like a beautifully painted painting – you can look at it endlessly, uncovering newer details, which the composer has put as though from not wanting here and there. The pleasance of listening is enhanced by the incredible performance of recordings and production – balanced and very dynamic. A careful listener will catch quite a few taste of arrangement and emerging ornaments, which were recorded on instruments specially selected – only under a given passage. Over the years, Gilmour has accustomed us to specified care that makes his music unique.
The musician with age becomes an increasingly sparing guitarist. No wonder – as an 80-year-old man (Year 1946) he is no longer as fit as he utilized to be. It made the full thing more focused on tunes, compositions and arrangements. However, where solos appear on the iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar, real magic happens. Most importantly – in all phrase played you can hear Gilmour's hand! His kind became so distinctive that after the first sound there is no uncertainty who plays!?
I don't have my favourite song yet. surely the aforementioned “Between 2 Points” and “Yes, I Have Ghosts” recorded from Romana intrigue me most. In turn, the most "floyd" track, decorated with the longest solo is "Scatered". He could truly go on the “Dark Side...” or “The Division Bell”. A large composition is besides “Dark and Velvet Nights”, which maintains the atmosphere from the erstwhile album. And the most touching for me is the acoustic song “Yes, I Have Ghosts” with a beautiful text showing the consciousness of passing and the fact that the artist inevitably approaches the end of the road... To say that he leaves us a wonderful accomplishment is to say nothing, but Gilmour has no intention of resting on (deserved) laurels.
David Gilmour, despite his age, is full of energy, ideas and is working perfectly with current musicians. He announced that in precisely the same lineup, they shortly enter the studio to evidence another album. usually specified statements are slogans cast for promotional purposes, but in this case I consider it a disarming sincere enthusiasm. This can be heard – in both music and interviews. After all, Master Gilmour doesn't truly gotta prove anything anymore and is in excellent form, the best proof being the album “Luck and Strange”.
In 1 interview, the artist said that he did not feel like a soloist and liked to be part of the band. Knowing his work, I believe it, and in addition, specified an approach to artistic activity is peculiarly close to me.
Speaking of which, I am pleased to inform the Readers that my authorial publicist cycle has started on a friendly channel Against Censur. I will not take a point assessment of the album "Luck and Strange". However, I know that since I bought it (a fewer days after the premiere) it does not actually leave my player and it will most likely be like this for a long time. It is an indescribable pleasance for me to associate with Gilmour's music and I encourage you to scope for it!
Bartosz Iwicki
photo wikipedia
David Gilmour. “Luck and Strange” Sony Music, 2024.
Think Poland, No. 41-42 (6-13.10.2024)
