Collaborations
As we acknowledge that many of the people reading are new to David’s recent album, never mind his career outside of Pink Floyd, it might be of genuine interest to make others aware of the sheer depth of material that David has contributed to down the years.
Acts as varied – and wonderful – as Dream Academy, Elton John, Roy Harper and John Martyn, to name just a few… All have called upon David to lend a hand, both in the studio, and on stage.
In return, David has been fortunate to have been able to call upon some fine musicians to compliment his own material, such as Phil Manzanera, pictured above on the ‘On An Island’ tour.
So, if you have a favourite song, don’t keep it to yourself. Others may be interested in locating it, particularly in this age of digital downloads and easy access to music that, in many cases, you once had to hunt down (not that finding the ‘Arnold Layne’ single in North America didn’t require a map and compass, we fully appreciate).
There really is an A (Arcadia) to Z (Zevon, Warren) to consider here, so please tell us about these collaborations. There are some surprising ones.
No long lists, though. Just tell us a song or two and why you’d recommend it to anyone who hasn’t heard it before.
Fed
I can’t believe noone has yet mentioned “The Stomp”! Surely the greatest collaboration in David’s career! ;-)
I will agree with the masses and go for No More Lonely nights. So beautiful.
Vicky
I`m sooo ashamed of myself, I only thought David collaborated with sir Paul and Kate Bush, I had no idea all this was going on!
note to self, `get out more!`
cheers all.
Adrian.
All of the song mentioned above ;-)
and Love keep hanging on: The Pretty Things.
Nick from the lovely South of the Netherlands.
[What was the first, does anybody know?]
[There's also a track on Paul's 'Flowers In The Dirt' album, but I think that came after 'Give My Regards To Broad Street'. It's probably a reference to Wings' 'Back To The Egg' from 1979. - Features Editor]
I was reading and reading all these great tunes David has been on… and I had this one in mind.
“Rockestra theme song” (Back to the Egg-Wings)
Sorry this is off topic but understand david is a bit of a fan of BB king who just came out of hospital after suffering a bad virus
i for one wish him a speedy recovery as im sure everyone else will.
Damian
[Well said, Damian. - Features Editor]
How about David playing with B.B.King, “Eyesight to the Blind” from the Jools Holland TV special.
Best Regards,
Stephen Rado
NY
Wow! I’ve got a lot of music buying and listening to do?
Hey Rado! How ya’ doin’?
David’s collaborations with Unicorn were my favorites…The albums “Blue Pine Trees” and “Too Many Crooks” (both recently reissued on CD, thank god) are absolutely terrific. His perfect production and beautiful slide playing are the icing on the cake for those two discs by Unicorn, who were truly one of the best bands ever! Guess David loved ‘em too, as he covered their song “There’s No Way Out Of Here” on his first solo LP.
Jon
One of the highlights of Live Aid has to be the Bryan Ferry with David.
I remember in 1985 watching on TV in NY and being blown away by the set.
A couple of years ago I got the 4 DVD set. Slave to Love and Jealous Guy are great. I think there were two other songs preformed by I don’t remember.
I had no clue that David had his hands in so much stuff.
This has been very informative, I’m impressed people remember so much.
You learn something new here everyday.
Melissa(*_*)
First off, I would like to express my appreciation to Michele, Ronny, LG and FEd for your time and efforts in translating and transcribing the Making of “About Face”.
What an eye-opener to learn about David Gilmour’s collaborations with so many top-notch musicians. We love the DVD of Paul McCartney’s Live at Cavern Club; what a joy to see David Gilmour playing with Paul McCartney and being a back up vocal.
On another note, Rolling Stone Magazine (Feb 8, 2007) gave 3 1/2 stars to David Gilmour – Arnold Layne EP. It also remarks about David’s “heart-wrenching” solo-acoustic performance of “Dark Globe”.
All the work with Kate Bush and Sam Brown is excellent! Really love the guitar on McCartney’s “No More Lonely Nights” as well.
Mr. Gilmour’s contribution to Propaganda’s “1234″ album is also great….
And of course Alan Parsons “Return To Tunguska”
And we can go on and on and on and…….
Cheers!
JT
What a great topic! Thanks FEd! And thank you, everyone, I love finding new (to me) music.
Welcome Jason, hope you like this place as much as we do.
~Erin
Hello everyone, Fed!!! I still stand by the selection I made a year ago… Some great “collaborations” mentioned here… Haven’t found anything on peoples lists that disagrees with me!!! So much good music…
Atomic Rooster, “Land Of Freedom”
Roy Harper, “The Game”
David Courtney, “When Your Life Is Your Own”
Bete Noire, “Seven Deadly Sins”
Mandelbrot “set” theme song…
Jolly good show!!! Tally ho!!!
The “feeling” for “today” is “David Gilmour!!!” Enjoy!!! ;^)
OOOOO!!!! David Gilmour and BB King playing together. Now THAT has GOT to be smokin’ hot!!
I saw BB King in Portland, OR, around ten years ago. He blew the roof off the place. Playing most of the show while sitting in a flimsy folding chair, King still rocked and his music sounded like he was still in his twenties. I have fond memories of that show.
I, too, wish for BB King a swift and complete recovery.
Back in the 1980′s-90′s, I used to co-produce The Roy Harper Magazine [now long-since folded] and I remember fondly Roy’s 1985 album, ‘(Whatever Happened To) Jugula?’ being released.
It also heavily featured Jimmy Page but on the vinyl label, after all the listed tracks on Side One, it stated ” *Roy Harper/Dave Gilmour”, yet there was no asterisk next to any of the titles. And all the sleeve stated was, “Thanks to Dave Gilmour”.
So, at the time, it was unclear which track Gilmour had co-written, and whether or not he actually performed on it.
Wanting to get the facts accurate, I delved further and found it was the song ‘Hope’ that was co-written: Harper’s lyrics to Gilmour’s music.
[On later pressings and CD releases, Gilmour receives an accurate credit for the song.]
And indeed this is the particular collaberation that is excellent, even though the guitar part on Hope is not played by Gilmour. The opening guitar riff is pure Gilmouresque, albeit performed [probably] by Nick Harper.
Happy Wednesday,
[Right you are, Blake, that's the title I was after - well spotted. I just dug out the album and gave it a spin]
Yep gave it a spin last night myself (plus Davids first album) after sitting in the freezing cold for 2 hours watching a crap football match but at least the result was good.
Pete – Coventry
Dr Phang – spooky that you should write. Yesterday I clicked Martins name to travel back a year and came across your selections.
I saw a lot of names who contribute now but…
Did anyone else go back in time and did anyone come across names that who we never hear from nowadays?
Pete – Coventry
[There was a single released in 1989; one time Deep Purple members Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan released a new version of Smoke on the Water with Robert Plant, Brian May, David Gilmour and Bruce Dickinson. The project was entitled "Rock Aid Armenia," with proceeds going to victims of the Armenian earthquake.]
Actually I did some searching and found that single but the cost to obtain it is another thing. It is a bit pricey considering that at the time you probably could have gotten it for under $2 U.S.
I’m sure there are other tracks like this one which are hard to find.
Andrew
[Congratulations, Andrew. But what we all want to know is whether or not you were aided by a map and compass. - Features Editor]
No map or compass, just fingers and a keyboard. And it was very reasonably priced as well, $5.99 for the single and $7.99 for the CD. Of course some will argue that the CD price is a bit steep since you can download it online. But I prefer the real thing that I can hold in my hands. I’m sure many others will agree.
Thanks.
Andrew
Fed,
Havent seen any comments from you yet with regard to the quality of goals at upton park last night.
Pete – Coventry
[They were absolute crackers, weren't they? A few of those on Saturday against Everton and I will be grinning all week. Hell, I'll even take an offside goal, like West Ham's. - Features Editor]
Andrew,
[Smoke on the Water with Robert Plant, Brian May, David Gilmour and Bruce Dickinson]
I’m sure I have it on cassette. If I have it is in my loft. I will have a look for it.
Pete – Coventry
Great topic,
I quite often listen to Junkman Chris Jagger, which I like very much and I would recommend for others
Also I like Live at the Cavern Club DVD, the only problem is that the live footage is so short. My favourite there is No other baby
Tomasz
Andrew- where did you find the 10″ AL? I can’t find it anywhere?
Tim
There is a great independent record shop in Fords, NJ called Vintage Vinyl. You can visit their website by clicking my name. David’s release is promoted right on the front page. And they do mail order.
Thanks.
Andrew
Got it! got it! Doll by Doll. legendary! Jackie Leven.ps JUGULA+ I still have to hide that Vinyl cover from me Mom.lol.
Smoke on the Water with Robert Plant
plant isnt on that my man…but we can dream and that WOULD be very cool. did you hear the interview w/ gilmour when he calls roger ‘ole’ misery guts’? very funny
” A few of those on Saturday against Everton and I will be grinning all week”
I am dreading this derby. You guys are playing well, we aren’t. Johnson is out. Can really see it being a pasting.
But I will have the Reina on Johnson’s head memory to keep me chuckling.
[I was reminded of that incident earlier, funnily enough. May the best team win. - Features Editor]
Unicorn are the best group that I associate with David Gilmour. I think David did an excellent job producing them, and sounded great playing pedal steel with them. I have fondest memories listening to the recording in David’s studio. I thank God for all the wonderful music they played.
Pete, that is spooky… in a good sort of way… ;^))