Bless David Gilmour. Whatever he does will be compared to his work with Pink Floyd. But Luck and Strange, his very latest solo album is a long way from Pink Floyd, and all the better for it.
The recording of this album wasn’t really a secret. Through Polly’s Instagram posts we’d seen David recording this album for over a year. I chose not to listen to the first singles, ‘The Piper’s Call’ and ‘Between Two Points’ instead waiting to hear the album in it’s entirety.
On first listen, this is a great album, offering much to explore with future listens.
A Gilmour Family Affair
During lockdown the growing Gilmour family performed a number of live ‘performances’ from their home to ours. These theatrical evenings including some poetry readings, music from David and their daughter Romany. I found them to be charming, highlighting a musical family that was full of love and creativity.
So it was odd that I was initially sceptical of Romany Gilmour sharing credits on ‘Between Two Points’ , a song originally written and performed by Montgolfier Brothers. I should have known better. This song is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. It reminds me deeply of some other track, but that’s going to take a while to drag that from the depths of my brain.
But it’s not just Polly and Romany that contribute. Polly’s son Charlie contributes lyrics to the track ‘Scattered.’ If you have read Charlie’s book ‘Featherhood’ you’ll know he is a great writer.
Musical Themes
It is just over 30 years since Gilmour actively recorded a Pink Floyd album. But as such a creative influence, especially in the final two (OK three) Floyd albums it is hard not to hear the odd musical similarity. Did I hear a division bell hidden at the back of ‘A Single Spark’ and is that chord progression not a little but like ‘Breathe’ from Roger’s Dark Side of the Moon redux? Is that a hint of ‘Take it Back’ on ‘Sings’? And don’t even start on the heartbeat of ‘Scattered’. It’s little musical cues to his legacy.
David has been open about his choice of musicians, opting mostly for a different set of players that bring a fresh approach to the music. The only familiar face is that of Guy Pratt who is almost family. The bassist toured with Pink Floyd for both the ‘Momentary Lapse’ and ‘Division Bell’ tours and with Nick Mason’s ‘Saucerful of Secrets.’ He is also married to Gala Wright, the daughter of the late Rick Wright.
Rick is on the album, too. Producers Gilmour and Charlie Andrew have weaved in some keyboard recordings from 2007 before he passed away.
But even with this choice of new musicians, the music still sounds like a Gilmour record. That’s good, in a way. As one of the world’s greatest guitarists we’d expect to hear plenty of his distinctive style.
Hidden Depths to Explore
This certainly feels like a more introspective album, there isn’t the soaring harmonies from ‘On an Island’, or the jollity of ‘Rattle that Lock’ but it feels like an album that offers depth and secrets that can be unlocked with time and repeated listens.
It is very easy to analyse Gilmour’s music, and Samson’s lyrics as a reference to his time in Pink Floyd, or his fractured relationship with Roger Waters. Instead we need to realise that David Gilmour has lived a life since then. In the title track he sings,
” But let’s hope it’s not just luck and strange
A one-off peaceful goldеn age
That’s a dark thought in the dark “
Is that a man looking back on a career and thinking the best is behind him? We don’t yet know. He has said this work feels like his best since Dark Side and only time will tell.
What is the meaning of ‘Luck and Strange’
Is this serendipity? Are they a reference to points in an artist’s career that have been shaped by unknown or unexpected forces. Luck – good and bad, strange the places that life will take you.
Best Track, Worst Track
Over time I expect my allegiances will shift but on first listen the best track is definitely ‘Between Two Points’ and the worse is ‘Dark and Velvet Nights’ as it’s just too ploddy that word again.)
Is this David’s Final Farewell?
If this is the sound of a man coming to the end of his career, it is a fitting full stop to 60 years of creativity.
” Take my arm and walk with me
Once more down this dusty old path
The sunset cuts the hill in half
Our shadows stretch back to touch the night
The light’s fading, you say
But these darkening days
Flow like honey “
(Scattered)
If this is the end, he is going out on a high. Just a few more concerts, and a chance for me to say goodbye and thank you for a lifetime of music.
“Yes, I have ghosts, not all of them dead”