Customer Reviews

Arnold Layne / Dark Globe

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This disc represents an extraordinary series of recordings. The versions of Arnold Layne with David Bowie and Richard Wright singing are from Gilmour's tour of '06, and as such are first rate. Gilmour is at his very best, and his backing band is a super-group of talented musicians. However the highlight of this disc is the solo acoustic version of Dark Globe. Gilmour recorded this unrehearsed in Germany just days after Syd's death, and it is a beautiful, haunting, gorgeous rendition of one of Barrett's most powerful songs. The version here is breathtaking, and makes the album as a whole worth every penny of its price. This is smart, eloquent, gorgeous stuff--not just for the collector, but for anyone who enjoys Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Syd Barrett, and all of the melodic genius that informs their various works.

To the person who praises Waters and gives Gilmour 1 star on this disc. Gilmour was one of Syd's best friends predating the Floyd. They went to school together. He did this disc because he loved Syd. Syd loved him. Gilmour produced much of Syd's post-Floyd work. It seems that this is a genuine loving tribute to a genius that deserves to be rediscovered. Waters is a jerk who never got along well with Syd and was the driving force behind Syd's ouster from the band.

Released as a tribute to his departed friend, David Gilmour's "Arnold Layne" features two performances of the title track (composed by the late Syd Barrett) and one of Barrett's "Dark Globe". The former comes in a full band arrangement, the latter in a solo acoustic guitar performance reminiscent of the original.

The takes of "Arnold Layne" are mostly distinguished by their vocalist, with David Bowie singing the first and Richard Wright the second. The band's performance is stunningly tight, maybe a bit too much for my taste. Barrett's genius was his inventiveness and his unerring pop hooks, not his performances, and it seems like this gets forgotten. Nonetheless, both versions prove to be decent performances-- I give Bowie's the edge simply because he captures the very British aspect of Barrett's music better than Wright does on the vocal.

The gem on the recording is Gilmour's "Dark Globe"-- his band may be too good to pull it off, but Gilmour sheds his technical expertise and embraces both the jagged rhythms of the piece and makes no effort to hide his own limitations as a vocalist. It's perfect, gut wrenching in a way different from the original but equally powerful.

Truthfully, I've pretty much lost interest in Gilmour's works-- as far as I'm concerned, Pink Floyd's done little relevent in quite a long time and Gilmour's solo career has lacked interesting material, but with Barrett's quirky edge being among my favorites in music, I couldn't resist this, and while it's got its problems, I'm glad I got it, even if only for "Dark Globe".

I'm willing to stand up for David Gilmour and for this charming and modest tribute to Syd Barrett. Gilmour is one of the few people who can sing Syd's songs as well as Syd could (along with Robyn Hitchcock). This EP is clearly a labor of love, not an attempt to cash in. Gilmour is well beyond the point where he needs to do anything for money -- and he's also at a stage where loss of reputation would be devastating, so the risk is all his. I loved this little EP just as I loved his In Concert DVD, which includes performances of Syd's "Terrapin" and a great, jazzy, shuffling, stunningly original reimagining of "Dominoes." Gilmour is the leading Syd Barrett interpreter and I hope he will offer us more inspired Syd covers.

Arnold layne and Dark Globe live....performed by David Gilmour's Band along with David Bowie and Richard Wright...what's not to like?.

I can't understand some people comments on Gilmour's right or lack of thereof to play these tunes or release this EP, or the arguments on who's the best between Roger and David, it makes no sense. Why can't David Gilmour play Syd's songs?, they were friends and he was the ONLY Floyd who tried to help him after his breakdown, he produced Syd's Dark Globe and the whole madcap laughs album, when it was already practically impossible to work with Syd because of the state he was in, so, why can't he do it?.

I am greatfull he's doing it, at least he's bothering to, and we the fans should appreciate the opportunity to hear these songs live. I admire Roger Waters and think that Amused to Death is far better than any of the Gilmour's PF albums, but that doesn't have to do with anything. Thumbs Up to David for honoring Syd Barret, and to Rick and Bowie for helping him out.

Pink Floyd singer and guitarist David Gilmour released a solid Extended Play single titled Arnold Layne in late 2006.
The 3-song EP is Gilmour's tribute to Pink Floyd founder and his fallen comrade and friend the late Syd Barrett.
It consists of two versions of Arnold Layne recorded in May of 2006 plus a version of Dark Globe that almost makes one want to cry at how beautiful it is.
The first version of Arnold Layne (which was actually the first Pink Floyd single for those who don't know) was recorded on May 29, 2006 at the Royal Albert Hall with the legendary David Bowie doing a stellar version of the track with Gilmour's band. This track is now on the Remember That Night DVD. Next is another version of the track featuring Pink Floyd keyboard player Rick Wright on vocals and just as stellar as the one with Bowie. This was recorded on May 30, 2006 at Royal Albert Hall.
We close things out with Dark Globe (a/k/a Wouldn't You Miss Me) which is an excellent version of the classic Syd Barrett track from The Madcap Laughs which David added to his setlist in the summer of 2006 as a tribute to Syd (in addition to Shine On, Arnold Layne, Astronomy Domine, Dominoes and Wish You Were Here).
Contrary to last reviewer's opinions, Wright and Gilmour are the real musical talents of Pink Floyd whom can still sing and play. Roger Waters lost my respect last year with his last tour by pulling a Britney Spears and Ashlee Simpson tactic (lip-synching on stage for SIX SONGS!) and plays the same songs tour after tour with a pale version of Dark Side.
This disc is recommended!

A must have for completists of Floyd and Bowie. The other version with Richard Wright singing lead is kind of lame, but this CD is worth it for the Bowie.

These versions are almost as good as the original which is now a part of memory .

saw this video on you-tube and wanted the song on CD

finally found it and it's great !

Bowie does a great job on this old tune

A Mini CD from the 2006 David Gilmour Tour of Europe,"Arnold Layne" adds to any Pink Floyd Collection. Fine tribute to original Floyd member Syd Barrett,also.

There are three songs with two versions of Arnold Layne. One with David Bowie and the other with Floyd member Rick Wright. Nice contrast and they blend well with a slight nod to the Wright cut.

Dark Globe, from Syd's first solo release "The Madcap Laughs", might be the best song. Excellent David Gilmour rendition of a cut he was involved in when "Madcap" was released in 1970.

An import CD, "Arnold Layne" is priced high (old EP's had at least four songs). Floyd fans should be pleased, however, with the great sound and the excellent band assembled by Gilmour.

The CD liner notes end with the following:

"Dedicated To The Memory Of Syd Barrett"