Customer Reviews

David Gilmour

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've owned the original CD since it's initial release in the '80s, and I've always felt that it sounded flat and lifeless, so I ordered this remaster with hope of at least modest improvement. After fetching it from the mailbox, I popped it in my player, hit play, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This disc has depth, dynamics, warmth, and perfect tonal balance - all way beyond anything I had hoped for. Who remastered it? Doug Sax. He and his company, The Mastering Lab, do a lot of work for audiophile labels, and he is considered by many to be the best in the business. Apparently he was given a lot of freedom on this project, because even the volume level isn't jacked up to todays record company norms. He gave it plenty of headroom and no noticeable compression, and it sounds sweet! This is an audiophile quality disc for the price of standard admission. I wish they'd clone this guy.

I always feel somewhat guilty buying remastered editions of CDs I already own - like I'm the ultimate surrogate whore to the record companies who have somehow tricked me into laying down my hard-earned cash for stuff that's already on the shelf at home (and don't even get me started on the whole "3-disc extended unrated directors cut limited edition" DVD thang...). What's the old P.T. Barnum saying? "There's a sucker born ev'ry minute?" Exactamundo, P.T. - but NOT with this remaster of the first David Gilmour solo LP, thank gawd! First of all, the sound on this CD is VASTLY superior to the original Columbia issue. Second of all, many of the tracks on this remaster are noticeably longer than the ones on the LP and original issue CD - some by a good 30+ seconds! What does that mean? Well, on the now-longer tracks, you get MORE blazin' Gilmour guitar solo outros - which is AWESOME because I often thought that with many of the tracks on the original edition, the fade started just when he was staring to rock out. Well, these new versions let Mr. G go OFF - full on! I'm tellin' ya: when I was listening to this CD in my car, one of the "extended fades" came on and I actually asked out loud (to no one in particular, of course), "What's up with THIS?! I've never heard THIS guitar work before!" This remaster is worth every PENNY - even if you already have the original!

Let's start with the important difference here between this edition and the previous one available from Sony/Columbia. "David Gilmour" sounds terrific in this remaster with better depth and detail as well as more warmth to the original recording. Unfortunately there are no bonus tracks (no demos, etc.) included as part of the package.

Between the three solo albums that Gilmour has released this sounds the most like vintage Floyd (how it could it not with Dave's lead vocals and guitar parts). From the bluesy "There's No Way Out of Here" to "I Can't Breathe Anymore" (which found have made fine additions to any of the Floyd albums). "Raise My Rent" an instrumental has some nice characteristic playing from Gilmour. One of the best tracks though is "Short and Sweet" a rocking number written with Roy Harper.

Each of Gilmour's solo albums have had his basic sound intact but because of the years between them (1978, 1984 and 2006) each is unique. The years between allow enough difference in the songwriting, textures and arrangements to make each a unique experience.

"David Gilmour" stands head and shoulders above either of Gilmour's other solo CDs. Throughout the set list, Gilmour is in consistently fine form, and shows off his chops not only on guitar and vocals but also as a surprisingly competent piano player. Strong songs focus both Gilmour's singing and instrumental prowess, and this disc collects most of his strongest solo material. Most of this album can easily hold its own against much of Pink Floyd's output, and it's by far the best of any of Gilmour's attempts at solo success. When I bought this CD I listened to it at least once nightly for over two weeks and not once did I skip through the songs. That is how good this CD is. There are no big-name guest stars here and no gimmicks - only Gilmour with some very capable support on drums and bass.

There are no bonus tracks. Given that Gilmour is a perfectionist, that isn't surprising. I, for one, would rather hear a strong album the way that it was originally intended rather than dilute it with needless outtakes or demos. If Gilmour doesn't want them here, he has his reasons and I respect them.

Listening to this CD, I had a new appreciation for just how fine a craftsman David Gilmour can be. Everyone recognizes his gifts as a lead guitarist, but he's also a solid songwriter and his arranging skills are sublime. Try this CD, and you might find yourself glad that "There's No Way Out Of Here!"

Gilmour, of course, is best known as the guitarist for Pink Floyd. In 1978 he put out this his first solo album of shorter songs mostly in the 4 to 5 minute range. If I remember correctly the two guys he recruited to perform on the album with him had been in a band with Gilmour when they were kids. The bass player is Rick Willis who has had stints with both Foreigner and Bad Company, and the drummer was Willie Wilson. I have always liked this album. The songs are relatively simple, but all contain that distinctive David Gilmour guitar that is uniquely his. Gilmour's voice is also one of a kind with it's soothing quality that always gave Pink Floyd that special touch. The album is a mix of instrumentals and vocal tunes that reflect a similar sound to what fans are used to in Floyd. The lyrics, while not as profound as Roger Waters, are all decent and enjoyable. Highlights include, "Mihalis", "There's No Way Out Of Here", "So Far Away", "Raise My Rent", and "I Can't Breathe Anymore". The bottom line is if you like Gilmour's work with Pink Floyd you will probably like this nice little disc.

Originally released in 1978, David Gilmour's first solo album now appears here in excellently remastered form.

This 2006 reissue is a treat for diehard fans because many of the songs feature longer fade-outs than the original CD (and presumably the original LP as well). For instance, the superb "No Way" runs more than 30 seconds longer, and the extension of the track really feels right. "Raise My Rent" also gets a roughly 15-20 second extension, which maybe doesn't sound like a big deal on paper, but Gilmour really tears the roof off the sucker on this track, so letting the tape run a little longer is most welcome.

As for the album as a whole, it's pretty easy to see why some listeners would tag it as "Pink Floyd lite", but I think that gets to the core of its appeal--this is a really good album to put on for just plain chilling out.

Gilmour's blues influence really bubbles to the surface on many of the tracks here. Just take a look at the simple-but-irresistible bluesy riffs on "Cry From The Street" and "No Way", and his extended soloing on "Raise My Rent". Even the radio hit "There's No Way Out Of Here" has a swampy opening hook that sounds like its being played in unison by an electric guitar and a blues harmonica.

The moody, slide guitar-fortified "No Way" grooves along irresistibly, as does "Cry From The Street" with its crunchy rhythm guitar (the latter does have a ho-hum speeded-up fade, but it's quite brief). The instrumental "Raise My Rent" features a lush-sounding, arpegiatted electric guitar riff--again, simple but irresistible--and it serves as a canvas for Gilmour's superb soloing, plus the subtle electric piano and organ flesh out the sound to excellent effect. The harmony-fest "Short And Sweet" is another splendid track, with its catchy, droning guitar riffery.

The rest is generally enjoyable too even if it's underwhelming. The tender "So Far Away" is a pretty piano-based ballad, but somewhat lacking in focus. The album-opening instrumental "Mihalis" is nice enough, although it leans too far toward listless, generic Muzak for its own good. "There's No Way Out Of Here" is a good song, with Floyd-style female backing vocals, although it feels kind of routine and passionless. "Deafinitely", another instrumental, with a skittering "Sheep"-style rhythm, unfortunately overdoes its repetitive and gimmicky sound effects and ends up falling quite flat. The album-closer "I Can't Breathe Anymore" starts off nice, but it's ultimately underdeveloped and feels rushed through.

So, the album is disappointing on some level. Gilmour does seem to be coasting a bit here, and if he would have brought some more passion and focus to the proceedings (like he would do on his subsequent "About Face"), this maybe could have been a great album. Still though, it's a really good listen even as it is, and it's interesting to see how it contrasts to the Floyd albums that it's sandwiched in between ("Animals" and "The Wall").

David Gilmour's first solo album was released in May 1978 squeezed in between Pink Floyd's Animals and The Wall. Needless to say, this is not to be compared to the scope of those monumental achievements. Pink Floyd was on a definite high at that point.

Truth is David's own lyrics are distinctively different from the ingenious heavy gloom of Roger Waters', something which allows the songs to carry a much lighter feel. Musically though, one can hear similarities throughout the album with that trademark guitar sounding as great as always. What we also get here is mostly the rawer vibe of guitar, bass and drums. David's beautifully inventive melodies are given even more room and jewel the songs!

Out of the nine tracks, seven were solely composed by Gilmour - three of them being amazing instrumentals. There's No Way Out Of Here was written by the members of Unicorn, a band David did some production work with, and Short And Sweet is a collaboration with the great Roy Harper. Worthy checking out is Roy's Universal Soldier album which came out two years after for a great version of Short And Sweet with Gilmour on guitar!

This remastered reissue is also worth getting for it does improve it sonically, brings a nicer booklet and offers longer codas which - even not being that revealing - are more than welcome.

To finish it off I would like to point out that while On An Island might be a more complete, better produced and an equally inspired album, when push comes to shove this is still my favourite - one I keep revisiting on a regular basis for sheer pleasure.

this album is great!The songs are top notch,and the remaster sound great.Much more dynamics than the 1990 version which wasnt that bad anyway.If you like pink floyd get this.Great guitar and vocals and drums and writing.alot of space for everyone to show there talent.

And this goes for the the one who mastered it! Great job!
im amazed that there is still people who care about dynamics and dont crank the volume.

David Glimore - (1978) 9 Tracks ***** (48:46)

The opening track, Mihalis is 5 minutes and 50 seconds of Pink Floyd-tinged Gilmoreisc instrumental heaven. I'm really glad I recently "discovered" this album thanks to a fellow music fans recommendation (You know who you are :). I was in junior high in 1978 and just beginning to buy music, plus I was way too busy listening to older Pink Floyd albums along with Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Rush, etc. too even notice this release. I was mostly influenced by what the local rock radio station played and I don't think David's solo album got much exposure. Then it was overshadowed by The Wall, which came out the very next year.

I recently purchased both of Gilmore's solo records that Legacy remastered, especially since they were on sale at bargain prices! Who could pass that up? Since my purchase, I've given them both a few listens and I can say for sure that David's debut album is my favorite. It's got some really cool, laid-back music on it with just enough of that distinctive Gilmoreisc guitar sound and his smooth baritone vocals to add up to some great stuff.

You know how some people will complain that so and so band has become to "formulated" in their song writing or performance and that most of their songs sound too much alike (AC/DC, Nickelback). Well, let me tell you, this album has plenty of diversity on it from the songwriting to the performance. Sure David's guitar playing and vocals are distinctive, but he vary's his style of playing and delivery of his vocals just enough to keep it interesting and well balanced. None of these songs are anything close to what he has written and performed with Pink Floyd. Three of the tracks are instrumentals also.

Finally, like another reviewer said (T. Wallace), this CD is Highly Recommended for Floyd fans who missed it the first time around (Me) or who have just been missing it. This remaster sounds great too.

I was happy to re-discover this awesome disc of Gilmour's early solo work.
It's packed full of tasty guitar solo's and David's classic vocals.
I believe this disc has been overlooked by most Pink Floyd fans.
I can't help but wonder why it is rarely played on classic-rock radio.
Even Gilmour himself has abandoned most of these wonderful songs.
I would love to hear the instrumental "Raise my Rent" on his next tour.
This is a strong five-star disc for any Gilmour Fan!