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Post by The Lunatic on Aug 31, 2016 2:27:22 GMT
I can't believe no one (read: I Me Mine) has made a topic for this AMAZING and essential piece of work yet! (This is a daft forum, where albums like Atom Heart Mother and The Final Cut get topics before WYWH and The Wall. )
Anyway, the album that Rick Wright himself nominated as his favourite Floyd album is certainly a strong contender for my own most favourite ever, seeing as it was pretty much the album that made me fall in love with the Floyd (I give it joint credit along with DSOTM, for reasons which I'll post elsewhere as it would clutter this thread up too much) and also it's just among the most brilliant forty-four minutes of harmonically placed noises ever made.
Where do I begin? *puts on music critic hat*
... I suppose with what seems to be the focus piece, 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. This is, to my mind, the finest singular piece of work the Pink Floyd ever did; it's pretty much the pinnacle of their entire career. It goes at its own pace, inviting you -- slowly -- into a long, mournful elegy to Syd, the 'crazy diamond', first with music that evokes a universal melancholy, then (seven minutes in) with words so specific to his unique case that there is no doubt to whom the song is dedicated. As Roger (Waters-not-Barrett) said, 'There are really no generalities in that song. It's not about all the crazy diamonds, it's about Syd.' And what an homage it is -- so spot-on, it frequently takes my breath away. Certainly the original focus would have been the lyrics, but calling the rest just an extended intro/outro jam hardly does it justice: throughout the whole 26-minute-long piece, it never once loses interest -- something that is amazingly difficult to pull off. No wonder they had to bash it out with things like the rather soporific 'Atom Heart Mother Suite' before they achieved it with 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. It's like a nine-course meal, with dessert.
If the track were all together, like 'Echoes', then it might distract you from the other three songs, but fortunately someone who wasn't David Gilmour had the idea of bookending the album with it, which basically forces you to listen to the whole album as one coherent piece (not that that stops me from frequently just playing the nine parts of 'Shine On' by themselves ).
First we get the segue from an emotive saxophone solo to a neurotic, pulsating machine (complete with utterly disorienting panning from one ear to the other) -- this is a completely synth-driven track, with only the crisp up-strums of an acoustic guitar and a harsh, angry vocal to keep it from descending to the realm of electronic sounds; then we're sucked out and thrown into a room of chuckling partygoers before the grungy riff of 'Have A Cigar' takes over. Both sardonically invite us to the grinding cog-wheels of the music industry, which provide a taste of Roger's works to come (for instance, the entire next album). Now, Roger may not be a fan of Roy Harper's vocal, saying that Roy put a sarcastic edge on it whereas he would have sang it more vulnerably, but I think the sarcastic edge suits the song perfectly. I've heard live versions with Roger on vocals; they're good in a different way.
Then, finally, buried somewhere in the middle of the second side, we stumble upon the title track -- a quiet, mostly acoustic gem in the midst of wailing electric guitars and extended keyboard solos. Just briefly, I would here like to express my heartfelt appreciation of that eternal, timeless riff -- so simple, and yet so strong. The lyric is a message to someone that blends the harsh rebuke of 'Welcome To The Machine' and 'Have A Cigar' with the mournful longing and reaching-out of 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' -- the first verses are somewhat critical ('So you think you can tell / Heaven from hell'), then comes a tinge of pity ('Did they get you to trade / Your heroes for ghosts?') before concluding with the empathetic statement that 'We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl / Year after year / Running over the same old ground / What have we found, the same old fears / Wish you were here'. Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessarily directed to someone who has died; it's to someone who is alive, but estranged -- like Syd. (This is a theme that I feel is revisited on The Division Bell, in 'Poles Apart'.) So in a way, you could say that this is the considerably more general counterpart to 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond', and while 'Shine On' tends to take the spotlight, there's a reason the album is titled after 'Wish You Were Here': it's the thing that ties it all together.
*removes music critic hat* Can you tell I love doing this sort of thing, waxing poetic about my favourite musics?
So the point of all that rambling on is that this album is spectacular, and if there's anything left to discuss after all that I've said, we now have a place for it. I'm sure we'll find something to talk about.
Also, if you've got an hour to spare, here's a fairly interesting documentary about the album which has some nice quotes and Dave noodling with the lead guitar lines.
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Post by syd gilmour on Aug 31, 2016 2:39:47 GMT
I read that Gilmour also said it is his favorite Floyd album. Where the music of Dark Side Of The Moon was the band trying to package Water's brand new profound lyrics, Wish You Were Here was a collaborative effort in dedication to their friend, where the music being made was most paramount. I agree with @floyd Pinkerton and David Gilmour in saying that Shine On You Crazy Diamond is the musical pinnacle of Pink Floyd.
I first heard this album after I bought it at Target one summer, and listened to it non-stop every day for a couple of weeks. It was then that it started to sneak up on me. 'Damn, I really do love this band.' There isn't a single bad song on it, in fact, there are no bad songs by Pink Floyd in the 70s. Pretty great huh?
I am going to watch the doc now. I'l let you know what I think.
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Post by syd gilmour on Aug 31, 2016 3:15:33 GMT
That's quite a Mickey Mouse cartoon by Gerald Scarfe! Hot Diggity Dog!
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Post by The Lunatic on Sept 11, 2016 1:49:33 GMT
Hey You all! Don't forget to listen to this album on Monday, the 12th -- Wish You Were Here's forty-first 'birthday'.
I won't be around to make any of my widely-acclaimed fabulous and insightful posts to honour it but I'll certainly take time to listen to the album. I've got it on the forum calendar as well.
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Post by The Lunatic on Oct 25, 2016 23:50:25 GMT
One of my friends (whom I've turned on to PF) claims that he doesn't like 'Shine On' because it bookended the album. JUST, WHAT My response (which was as elaborate as anything I ever wrote) I thought was so good I should put it here: It's quite clear to me that you have totally missed the point of the bookend, the album, and Pink Floyd.
The reason that three-quarters of the band voted on the bookend is because it makes the album about 157% stronger, as a cohesive unit, than it would have been if it had just been Several Species Of Small Silly Songs Gathered Together And Grooving On A Turntable plus a sidelong suite. That had been done already, with Meddle (which I personally feel, as a unit, is rather fragmented -- though I still find it quite listenable). Whereas, if the sidelong suite is broken up into slightly more listenable chunks and is used to wrap the album up like a present, then one is practically compelled to listen to the whole album all in one piece to get all of the crazy diamond-ing in.
As for forgetting the first half by the time you reach the second half -- that's unacceptable! On one's first listen to anything, one is going to have forgetten the first track by the time one reaches the last track. The thing is, Pink Floyd's music is designed to be listened repeatedly -- repeatedly as in until the grooves are worn out and you have to buy a new record (which is fabulous for the band's coffers, by the way). What I'm saying is, by the time you've listened to the album for the 428th time, you're not gonna forget Part I. By this point you're singing along with the drums, not even the guitar solos anymore.  (Erm, about that... I plead guilty, my lord. TEAR DOWN THE WALL!)
The theme of the album is 'absence', and that was mainly inspired by Syd Barrett's absence (not just within the band, that's too easy, but his absence from pretty much everything/everyone, including himself); as the album unfolds (ever-so-slowly and beautifully), we get a calling-out to the lost Syd, a couple of thrashes at Showbiz, and then the title track, which I see as the thesis statement. Then 'Shine On' returns for the conclusion: 'Pile on many more layers / And I'll be joining you there'. Perhaps only wistfully, the singer says that after examining the Crazy Diamond's case and one of the possible causes, he might be following Syd after all; essentially saying that life, especially in 'the Machine', is so crap-laden that the only choice one has is to withdraw -- to become absent. So you either end up like Syd, or you turn into a Dog -- nice choice, eh? Fortunately love can save us all -- 'You know that I care what happens to you / And I know that you care for me too / So I won't feel alone or the weight of the stone...' For more elaboration in that vein, see hear the proceeding three albums.
They knew what they were doing! 
As for it being 'bland', well, I can't even  There's no accounting for tastes, I suppose. I thought it was the best thing they ever did, hands down (my favourite bit is the very ending phrase, which borrows a bit of melody from Pink Floyd's Barrett-penned early hit 'See Emily Play', and is just the most marvellously satisfying ending imaginable).
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Post by Mad Bugger on Oct 29, 2016 1:44:26 GMT
One of my friends (whom I've turned on to PF) claims that he doesn't like 'Shine On' because it bookended the album. JUST, WHAT My response (which was as elaborate as anything I ever wrote) I thought was so good I should put it here: It's quite clear to me that you have totally missed the point of the bookend, the album, and Pink Floyd.
The reason that three-quarters of the band voted on the bookend is because it makes the album about 157% stronger, as a cohesive unit, than it would have been if it had just been Several Species Of Small Silly Songs Gathered Together And Grooving On A Turntable plus a sidelong suite. That had been done already, with Meddle (which I personally feel, as a unit, is rather fragmented -- though I still find it quite listenable). Whereas, if the sidelong suite is broken up into slightly more listenable chunks and is used to wrap the album up like a present, then one is practically compelled to listen to the whole album all in one piece to get all of the crazy diamond-ing in.
As for forgetting the first half by the time you reach the second half -- that's unacceptable! On one's first listen to anything, one is going to have forgetten the first track by the time one reaches the last track. The thing is, Pink Floyd's music is designed to be listened repeatedly -- repeatedly as in until the grooves are worn out and you have to buy a new record (which is fabulous for the band's coffers, by the way). What I'm saying is, by the time you've listened to the album for the 428th time, you're not gonna forget Part I. By this point you're singing along with the drums, not even the guitar solos anymore.  (Erm, about that... I plead guilty, my lord. TEAR DOWN THE WALL!)
The theme of the album is 'absence', and that was mainly inspired by Syd Barrett's absence (not just within the band, that's too easy, but his absence from pretty much everything/everyone, including himself); as the album unfolds (ever-so-slowly and beautifully), we get a calling-out to the lost Syd, a couple of thrashes at Showbiz, and then the title track, which I see as the thesis statement. Then 'Shine On' returns for the conclusion: 'Pile on many more layers / And I'll be joining you there'. Perhaps only wistfully, the singer says that after examining the Crazy Diamond's case and one of the possible causes, he might be following Syd after all; essentially saying that life, especially in 'the Machine', is so crap-laden that the only choice one has is to withdraw -- to become absent. So you either end up like Syd, or you turn into a Dog -- nice choice, eh? Fortunately love can save us all -- 'You know that I care what happens to you / And I know that you care for me too / So I won't feel alone or the weight of the stone...' For more elaboration in that vein, see hear the proceeding three albums.
They knew what they were doing! 
As for it being 'bland', well, I can't even  There's no accounting for tastes, I suppose. I thought it was the best thing they ever did, hands down (my favourite bit is the very ending phrase, which borrows a bit of melody from Pink Floyd's Barrett-penned early hit 'See Emily Play', and is just the most marvellously satisfying ending imaginable).
I can concur with all of that. I truly love the end as well. I must admit, every time I hear Rick play soon after dark, Emily cries... on his keyboards, I get a little choked up. I think it'd have to be the best album ending I've ever heard.
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Post by The Lunatic on Oct 29, 2016 14:57:02 GMT
I can concur with all of that. I truly love the end as well. I must admit, every time I hear Rick play soon after dark, Emily cries... on his keyboards, I get a little choked up. I think it'd have to be the best album ending I've ever heard. I know, right?! (Or 'Emily tries, but misunderstands '... which is what I always think of because it's the first line... but it could also be 'Put on a gown that touches the ground'...) Wait! Does this mean you've finally heard the whole album? HALLELUJAH!
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Post by Mad Bugger on Oct 30, 2016 5:17:02 GMT
I can concur with all of that. I truly love the end as well. I must admit, every time I hear Rick play soon after dark, Emily cries... on his keyboards, I get a little choked up. I think it'd have to be the best album ending I've ever heard. I know, right?! (Or 'Emily tries, but misunderstands'... which is what I always think of because it's the first line... but it could also be 'Put on a gown that touches the ground'...) I suppose so, though I've always been reminded of what I originally said. I thought that the others didn't quite fit in. Here's what I mean: 'Emily tries, but misunderstands' is do do do dooo, do do do do doooo.
'Put on a gown that touches the ground' is do do do dooo, do do do do doooo as well. BUT, 'Soon after dark, Emily cries' is do do do dooo, do do do doooo, which has always sounded most like what Ricky played (to me, at least). Notice that the first two have four do's after the comma, whilst the third one has only three. ...Or, err, I dunno. Wait! Does this mean you've finally heard the whole album? HALLELUJAH! Yep! And I loved every second of it!
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Post by The Lunatic on Oct 30, 2016 13:02:22 GMT
I know, right?! (Or 'Emily tries, but misunderstands'... which is what I always think of because it's the first line... but it could also be 'Put on a gown that touches the ground'...) I suppose so, though I've always been reminded of what I originally said. I thought that the others didn't quite fit in. Here's what I mean: 'Emily tries, but misunderstands' is do do do dooo, do do do do doooo.
'Put on a gown that touches the ground' is do do do dooo, do do do do doooo as well. BUT, 'Soon after dark, Emily cries' is do do do dooo, do do do doooo, which has always sounded most like what Ricky played (to me, at least). Notice that the first two have four do's after the comma, whilst the third one has only three.
Ummmmm... Yeah! I never actually thought of that, to be honest. I just took it as Rick's loose interpretation of the melody (most likely, it had been years since he'd heard it, anyway). But 'pon consideration, that does make sense. Wait! Does this mean you've finally heard the whole album? HALLELUJAH! Yep! And I loved every second of it! YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!
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Post by Mad Bugger on Nov 1, 2016 3:13:38 GMT
I suppose so, though I've always been reminded of what I originally said. I thought that the others didn't quite fit in. Here's what I mean: 'Emily tries, but misunderstands' is do do do dooo, do do do do doooo. 'Put on a gown that touches the ground' is do do do dooo, do do do do doooo as well. BUT, 'Soon after dark, Emily cries' is do do do dooo, do do do doooo, which has always sounded most like what Ricky played (to me, at least). Notice that the first two have four do's after the comma, whilst the third one has only three. Ummmmm... Yeah! Yeah... I'm terribly unknowledgable in musical terms; sorry about that. I tried the best I could.
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Post by The Lunatic on Nov 24, 2016 13:52:41 GMT
Okay, so I was listening to this last album night and I had a HUUUGE 'piph'ny. I was grooving along to Part IX of 'SOYCD', which has always been my favourite part (it's two and a half minutes of uninhibited Rickism, so of course I love it); just as it burst into that glorious Picardy third (basically the great big major chord after pretty much a whole album of minor-key songs), it struck me that if the whole part was, as David Gilmour described it, a funeral march and kind of a parting eulogy to Syd ( ), then that last bit could be described as the peace that follows after you've moved on to the dark side of the moon, or nobody-knows-where-you-are,(how near or how far), or the afterlife, or like when people say, 'He's in a better place now,' and he really is. Or perhaps a blissful freedom like you feel after you've had a storm of crying and grieving, and now you feel better and you can move on. (Which is basically what the album is.) Something along those lines... it's hard to explain in words what I mean, but I knew what I was talking about at the time, and it was huge for me. Just so big and beautiful and moving and PERFECT. 😆 BEST THING THEY EVER DID, HANDS DOWN.
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Post by syd gilmour on Dec 28, 2016 18:54:42 GMT
I've known it all along. Wish You Were Here is the best Pink Floyd album.
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Post by The Lunatic on Apr 6, 2017 1:32:17 GMT
Oh yes it is, yes. I've been on a WYWH kick lately -- trying to learn all the guitar parts for 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. It's really deepening my apprecation for the album... and I thought I couldn't appreciate it any more! I'm also very glad that 'You've Gotta Be Crazy' and 'Raving And Drooling' didn't make the final cut... If you've got 43 minutes to spare, the below bootleg is an interesting listen at times. I especially like hearing the guitar in part 5 without the sax (very helpful when trying to figure the part out) and the extended jam outro (part 8) is kinda cool too. Also, am I the only person who thinks that that amazingwondermarvellous second guitar in the title track sounds like cold maple syrup dripping down one's throat tastes/feels? ... ... ... Just me? Oh, okay...
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Post by TheVelvetBride on Apr 9, 2017 20:43:47 GMT
Would this album be considered a concept album? Dunno, just though it might be, since it seems like the songs branch out from each other and fit together nicely.
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Post by The Lunatic on Apr 10, 2017 13:31:03 GMT
TheVelvetBride I'm pretty sure it is universally considered a concept album. The best part about it is that the music is as thematic as the lyrics, unlike certain other albums *cough* The Wall *cough*...
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Post by syd gilmour on Apr 10, 2017 15:34:16 GMT
It falls in that category like Dark Side, Animals, and The Wall. Pink Floyd made that their thing.
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Post by The Lunatic on Sept 12, 2017 13:31:51 GMT
Happy releaseanniversaryday to the BEST* Pink Floyd album!
*Debatable, but it's certainly a contender, and of course I'll give it the benefit of the title today of all days.
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Post by Mad Bugger on Sept 16, 2017 5:05:04 GMT
Happy now-quite-belated birthday to Wish You Were Here! Lovely album. <3
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Post by thinyoungmoon on Sept 17, 2017 20:49:10 GMT
Happy even-more-belated-than-Mad-Bugger's Birthday wishes to my favourite* Pink Floyd album!!! Shine On Forever you Diamond among the many gems in the Pink Floyd discography! I can't believe I've missed the birthday, but at least I unknowingly celebrated it, because I had guitar lesson the day after and I persuaded my teacher that I was allowed to play the solo from Wish You Were Here on an electric guitar, that was the first time ever, I played it on an electric guitar! *for three whole weeks already, that has to mean something!
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Post by The Lunatic on Sept 12, 2018 15:23:08 GMT
Happy releaseanniversaryday to the BEST* Pink Floyd album!
*Debatable, but it's certainly a contender, and of course I'll give it the benefit of the title today of all days. What I said
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