Pink Floyd – Delicate Sound Of Thunder (Live Album)
In 1987, the band known as Pink Floyd were in crisis. They had just released their new album, A Momentary Lapse Of Reason, minus the talents of singer/bassist [URL=http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64657]
Roger Waters[/url]. Waters had left the band, following an extreme clash of personalities between himself and David Gilmour, the band’s guitarist.
After an unsuccessful attempt to end all things Floyd with a court order, Waters bitterly quit all contact with his former bandmates, and retired into semi-reclusion. The rest of the band, namely Gilmour, Richard Wright (keyboards) and Nick Mason (Drums), released their new album, and funded the follow-up tour out of their own pockets. At first, not many venues were willing to sign this new version of Floyd, but after Toronto sold out to record crowds, a virtual tidal wave of promoters jostled to book them, and the ’87/’88 Delicate Sound Of Thunder tour began. The two disc album is the live recordings of the bands best shows.
Line-Up:
David Gilmour: Guitar/Lead Vocals
Nick Mason: Drums
Richard Wright: Keyboard/Vocals
Jon Carin: Backing Keyboard/Vocals
Tim Renwick: Backing Guitar
Guy Pratt: Bass Guitar/Lead Vocals
Gary Walls: Backing Percussion
Scott Page: Saxophones
Margret Taylor, Rachel Fury, Durga McBroom: Backing Vocals
This album features a broad span of songs, from most of Pink Floyd’s career. However, the majority of these come from their most popular albums: Dark Side Of The Moon, and The Wall, as well as the tours main album.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Wish You Were Here)
A combined, epic version of the original two part, nine-movement song that began and ended the album Wish You Were Here. A somewhat smoother version of the song, with Gilmour voicing the lead vocals, rather than Waters. This song is basically a tribute to Syd Barrett, the original guitarist of the band, who’s mental health was affected greatly by the band’s sudden rise to fame.
Learning To Fly (A Momentary Lapse Of Reason)
My favourite song on Disc 1. An excellent song, from beginning to end. The song starts off with lovely bass/drum intro, which blend together beautifully, and become even more perfect once Gilmour starts singing and providing some rhythm. Contains some of the more haunting lyrics from Disc 1, and is all-together one of the strongest songs of the album. At 2.32, there is some keyboard work which displays the talent of Wright.
Yet Another Movie (A Momentary Lapse Of Reason)
Part 1 of a two song set. Yet Another Movie makes up the bulk of this set, at over 6 minutes long. Features a soft, mystical intro by Gilmour and Wright, with the occasional beat by Mason. Rather good lyrically, but poor when the musical component is considered. Basically the lyrical segment of an “over-song” which Round And Around finishes off in true Floyd fasion.
Round And Around (A Momentary Lapse Of Reason)
Part 2 of the set. At 33 seconds in length, it is nothing more than an instrumental closer to Yet Another Movie, and I would be surprised if you can pick the change without looking to see when the song changes. However, it is a separate song, and does contain some interesting chord work from Gilmour.
Sorrow (A Momentary Lapse Of Reason)
Probably the most meaningful song on its original album. It basically refers to the shock and regret that Gilmour, Wright and Mason felt after the loss of Waters. Indeed, in Gilmour’s own words, Wright and Mason were nearly catatonic when it came to recording the album. A very well-written song, it sounds great live, and features an awesome solo by Gilmour at about 7 minutes in.
Dogs Of War (A Momentary Lapse Of Reason)
Not to be confused with Dogs (Animals). This song, at least on the surface, refers to the evil ways of governments world-wide, but some believe it to be a stab at the record industry, ala Wish You Were Here (the album, that is). Has a real martial feel to it, along with some excellent vocals from Gilmour, and some inventive drumming from Mason. The first song on the album in which the female backing vocals can be heard.
On The Turning Away (A Momentary Lapse Of Reason)
A hopeful, yet admonishing song, somewhat similar in mood to Imagine by John Lennon. It relates to how selfish people are today, and how we (as a society) need to embrace one another. Very much vocally driven, it starts off with Gilmour singing almost the entire first verse with very little instrumental accompaniment. Is very haunting, in both vocals, and melody. Not an easy song to listen to at first. At nearly 4 minutes in, a beautiful chorus is sung between Gilmour, Pratt, and the girls. Ends with a very impressive movement.
One Of These Days (Meddle)
The one song on the album to be sung only by Mason, if you can call it singing that is. Is more of an instrumental with a few grunted lines then a lyrical song. Starts off slowly with a bass line and an occasional keyboard note. It isn’t till about two minutes in before the rest of the band contributes to the song, with Gilmour and Mason added a heavier feel. Also has a strange, syncopated drum rhythm by Mason. A few grunted lines by Mason, “One of these days, I’m going to cut you into little pieces) are the only words you will here in the song, and do not appear till nearly 5 minutes in.
Time (Dark Side Of The Moon)
This song features a somewhat shorter, but still “alarming” (sorry for the pun) cacophony of clock rings and dings. One of the songs which suffers from the lack of Waters on lead vocals. Still manages to convey the restlessness and dismal undertone of the song.
Wish You Were Here (Wish You Were Here)
The title track to its original album, Wish You Were Here is another song remembering the band’s first guitarist Syd Barrett, a childhood friend of Gilmour. The regret and passion felt by Gilmour can be heard in his voice, and makes this one of the more stirring songs on Delicate Sound of Thunder. It is also one of the few songs that does not suffer from Water’s absence.
Us And Them (Dark Side Of The Moon)
A song describing Water’s feelings of isolation, Us And Them is lyrically one of Pink Floyd’s finest songs. It also has some of the best musicianship featured on both Dark Side Of The Moon, and Delicate Sound Of Thunder. In my opinion, this is the best song of CD 2. A must-listen.
Money (Dark Side Of The Moon)
Also from DSOTM, Money is quite obviously about money. More importantly, it is about how money rules the world, and how material wealth twists some people. This live version is about 3 minutes longer, and features quite a bit of improvisation, especially from Gilmour. The solo/bridge/interlude in the middle is one of my favourite moments off of the album. Great song, if a (very little) bit dragging at times.
Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) (The Wall)
Probably Pink Floyd’s most radio friendly and well known song, ABITW (Part 2) lacks something in the live version, probably because of a lack of tape effects. Musically and lyrically, it is still a star, if somewhat lessened by Water’s absence. The children’s voices are present and accounted for, which add the classroom feeling that the song strives for. A song written by Waters, mostly for Waters, Pratt performs admirably in covering the funky bass riff just after the solo.
Comfortably Numb (The Wall)
One of the few contenders for best known Floyd song, Comfortably Numb is a favourite of die-hard fans and new listeners alike. Once again, the discordant harmony between Gilmour and Water’s voices, in the roles of Pink and the Doctor, is lacking in the live version, however the song is still an excellent rendition of this classic. A very atmospheric song, it displays some of the talent of Wright and Gilmour in their prime.
Run Like Hell (The Wall)
Starting with one of the best intros that Gilmour wrote in his career with Floyd, this song from The Wall only improves live. Gilmour actually excels in both voice and guitar, and Wright and Mason also perform admirably. This song is much better live than on the original album, although again the lack of tape effects brings some of the atmosphere down.
Strengths:
This album has many strengths. One of these is the excellent live versions of On The Turning Away, Run Like Hell, and Wish You Were Here. It also has excellent sound quality, and the sound of the crowd rarely interferes. The flow of the songs is also excellent, in that (unlike a lot of other live albums) not a soul in the band talks to the crowd, tries to rev them up, or introduces a new song. Indeed, one could almost be forgiven for thinking this was a studio album.
Weaknesses:
Overall, this album lacked both the tape effects of the original songs, effects which added a real ambience and atmosphere to each song. The difference is subtle, but it can be felt. The majority of the songs also lack Waters presence, both musically and vocally. Also, while the sound quality is excellent, the volume was engineered a bit too low, and as such it is a strain to hear certain songs.
Overall, this is an excellent album, well worth the buy if you are a fan of Floyd’s work, especially Momentary Lapse Of Reason and Dark Side Of The Moon. Newcomers may be better off buying one of their studio albums, however. I give this album 4/5.
