Customer Reviews

Smile

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Pink Floyd singer and guitarist David Gilmour's EP Smile was released in June of 2006.
Gilmour first played the track live in 2001 at his Meltdown concert (which is available on the 2002 David Gilmour in Concert DVD) with just him on acoustic guitar and vocals, rhythm guitarist Neil MacCall on acoustic slide guitar and backing singer Aitch Robinson.
The version here is an edited version of the track which appears on his On an Island solo album. The studio version, which was the actual demo from 2001, features Gilmour on all instruments and vocals save drums where it was Willie Wilson (whom played on DG's 1978 self-titled solo album) (recorded at Astoria), backing vocals by Gilmour's wife Polly Samson and orchestrations by Zbignew Preisner (recorded at Abbey Road).
The reason to own this is for Island Jam, a great blues jam instrumental which was only released on the initial pressings of On an Island sold at the Best Buy stores in the US.
If you are a Gilmour or Floyd fan, this is a must own!

The only reason the track "Island Jam" is NOT on his fabulous recent solo album is just because it may not blend in with the general sound of the album. The real pearl of this cd single is of course Island Jam. Just get it. A truely unforgetable piece of music writing and musical expression as only Dave Gilmour knows how....a real pearler!!!

I agree with Lenny for the most part. I think that David and Roger did need each other in the beginning and although I've been a David fan from the git-go (given the David vs. Roger scenario), I wouldn't say he's got the best solo albums.

Amused to Death is an incredible work of art! Have you ever listened to it -- I mean r-e-a-l-l-y listened to it from beginning to end and understood the message? The message, prophesy, whatever you want to call it, is very real. This species truly has "amused itself to death!"

Also, if you haven't heard it yet, listen to "Towers of Faith" on his Flickering Flame CD, in which he refers to the business man in the World Trade Center (this was before 9/11), saying he doesn't care about the desert sands or who owns the land, his sole interest is the "hydrocarbons underneath".

Roger has a story to tell and I've always thought of him as kind of an "in-your-face" kinda guy, but he does make a point and maybe sometimes we do need to be grabbed by the shoulders and shaken up a bit so we'll stop putting our heads in the sand, listen to what others have to say, and take heed to warnings!

David, on the other hand, who has always been my main man, is more subtle, seemingly softer, sweet and tender. But as far as solo albums go, I can't honestly say David's are better than Roger's. I think it's just a matter of indiviual preference.

I agree that Roger was a hot head ("old grumpy guts," as David referred to him in an interview - LOL) but I believe he's mellowed with age. Maybe freeing himself from the Floyd was what he needed -- indeed, what both of them needed -- in order to satisfy their souls and better express themselves as individuals. Both of them are artistic geniuses in their own right.

I own all Gilmour solo cd's, and they are all very hit and miss. At best, he occasionally has moments that come close to his better moments of the Waters-less Floyd, but those are very rare, such as the song on About Face - Near The End. I think his stuff with Floyd (without Waters) is much better than his solo stuff because of producer Bob Ezrin. Ezrin is an incredible producer.

My opinion is this: Gilmour is by far at his best with Roger Waters in Pink Floyd. Second best is Waters-less Pink Floyd, and lastly his own solo work.

The man is outrageously talented but his gift is playing and singing. Roger is unbelievably gifted with writing- one of the best ever, and his singing is great. If only everyone could humble themselves and share their God-given gifts to make a stronger whole.

I must strongly disagree with the person who said Gilmour's solo stuff is better than Roger Waters. Pros & Cons Of Hitchiking for me is up there with the very best of Floyd. Then he steadily goes downward but I still enjoy Radio Kaos and Amused To Death much better than the best of solo Gilmour. But Roger too is several layers better with Gilmour and Floyd.

These are my thoughts on The Music. I respect and admire them both tremendously and could care less about choosing sides...

I THINK PINK FLOYD WOULD HAVE DIED WHEN SID BARRETT WHENT CRAZY IF IT WAS NOT FOR DAVID GILMORE. ROGER WATERS WROTE THE MUSIC AND HAD THE IDEAS FOR MUSIC AND LIGHTS BUT CAN NOT SING AND PLAY GUITAR. IF IT WAS NOT FOR ROGERS BIG HEAD THE BAND MIGHT STILL BE MAKING MUSIC NOW.I THINK SMILE IS A GOOD SONG. LETS BE HONEST ROGER AND DAVID NEED EACH OTHER, BUT BAVID HAS BETTER SOLO MATERIAL.

Thirteen bucks for 2 songs, one of which appears on the main album. I guess Gilmour does have a lot to "Smile" about... the foolish, gullible fanboys who continue to support his mediocre garbage.

Roger Waters is the only man responsible for PF's themes, lyrics, albums, concepts, melodies... and Gilmour's career. It's Roger's pig. It's Gilmour's fog machine.