5 Stars
After the Amazingly successful “Dark Side of the Moon”, Pink Floyd released their follow-up album “Wish You Were Here” in 1975, still David Gilmour, Pink Floyd lead guitarist, vocalist and present leader’s favourite all-time Pink Floyd album.
Containing five songs, two laments for the departed Syd Barret, two cynical but funny swipes at the music business (how can you resist the line “Oh by the way which one’s Pink?), “Have a Cigar” sung on the record by long time friend of Pink Floyd Roy Harper, and the beautiful acoustic ballad “Wish You Were Here”, with its mournful lyrics.
The real star of the show, though, is the production, which the band did between themselves. The excellent musicianship of David Gilmour and Richard Wright carries you right through the journey, and though the album is big, ambitious, even bombastic, it somehow dodges being pretentious. The Barret tributes are honest and heartfelt, and the cynical swipes at the music industry were signs of what was to come on Pink Floyd’s next album, “Animals”.
“Shine on You Crazy Diamond” and “Wish You Were Here” are still firm favourites in the Pink Floyd road show, and the CD still nestles in the Billboard Top 350 sellers after nearly five decades.
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Musicians:
David Gilmour – Lead guitar/Vocals
Roger Water – Bass guitar/Vocals
Richard Wright – Keyboards
Nick Mason – Drums
Tracks Listing:
1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-V)
3. Have A Cigar
5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts V1-1X)
All credit to The Dog again for reviewing this album.
Wish You Were Here borders on sheer perfection.
It is, as The Dog says, a ‘journey’.
A journey which starts at the highest point and moves through some exhilarating phases leaving you totally breathless at the finish.
I say this having listened to the album yet again this week …. 48 years after its release !!
Seldom have I heard anything this good and I can only name the likes of Zeppelin IV, Machine Head & Lights Out to find albums where every individual track offers 5***** 10/10 quality.
Gilmour’s guitar playing has never been better and the tenor sax solo (Dick Parry) is mind blowing.
The 4 repetitive notes which bring in Diamond part 2 can still make the hairs on my neck rise.
Amazingly Diamond part 1 is built over a single chord for 3 minutes plus.
I could go on but this is The Dog’s great website, not mine, so I’ll button up and say thanks again for picking this one out.
Just turning the hi fi on to play it again !!
Thank You Very Much.