Luck and Strange - David Gilmour - First Impressions

My thoughts on the new solo album by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Luck and Strange. The album contains tracks like The Title Track (featuring Richard Wright on keyboards) The Piper's Call, Dark and Velvet Nights, Between Two Points (featuring Romany Gilmour on vocals) and the finale Scattered with a signature Gilmour guitar solo. Here are my first impressions of the album.

#davidgilmour #albumreview #luckandstrange #pinkfloyd #soloalbum #guitarsolos

David Gilmour is of course the guitarist and singer for Pink Floyd. He took over for their original leader Syd Barrett in 1968 joining the lineup of Roger Waters on bass, Richard Wright on keyboards and Nick Mason on drums. His first album with the band was A Saucerful of Secrets. He would contribute to albums such as More, Ummagumma, and Atom Heart Mother (the later would include his composition "Fat Old Sun.") 1971's Meddle was a turning point for the band, featuring the epic "Echoes" which Dave and Rick sang together, with Roger's lyrics, and classics such as "One of These Days." This was also the time when they filmed the landmark movie Live at Pompeii. The 1972 soundtrack Obscured by Clouds would include another solo composition by David called "Childhood's End" and he would collaboration with Roger and Rick on tracks like "Mudmen" and "Wots Uh the Deal." But 1973's Dark Side of the Moon was the album that made Pink Floyd a household name. With Roger taking over the lyric department and collaborating with Dave and Rick on the musical side of things, David's soulful voice and burning guitar made songs like "Time" and "Money" rock and roll classics. Their live shows would also start becoming more spectacle driven with light shows, projections and flying pigs! 1975's Wish You Were Here remains David's personal favorite Floyd album, the acoustic title track remains one of the most loved tunes while the epic "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" (dedicated to Syd) emerged from Dave's iconic 4-note guitar arpeggio. 1977's Animals found Roger emerging more as the dominating writer, though Dave contributed the epic "Dogs" and continued to add unforgettable solos to songs like "Pigs." It was after this tour that Dave released his first solo album in 1978 simply titled David Gilmour. Highlights included "There's No Way Out of Here," "Short and Sweet," "Raise My Rent," and "I Can't Breathe Anymore." But back with Pink Floyd, tensions were high as Roger and David had intense arguments and Roger fired Rick. Still The Wall was released in 1979 with David's contributions "Run Like Hell" and "Comfortably Numb" being highlights, the later being referred to as one of rock's greatest guitar solos. Tensions continued on 1983's The Final Cut which featured no Gilmour compositions, so he released his second album About Face in 1984, a more commercial sounding record with songs like "Blue Light" and "Murder." Roger left the band (but not without suing his bandmates) leaving David to take up the reins as band leader (with Rick rejoining) for A Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1987 and The Division Bell in 1994. The later showed a return to form with songs like "What Do You Want From Me," "Marooned," and "High Hopes" with lyrics by his wife Polly Samson. After a decade of little activity, aside from a final Pink Floyd reunion with Roger for Live 8 in 2005, David released his third album in 2006, On and Island. It was met with great reception thanks to songs like the title track and "The Blue" (another favorite guitar solo). His tour would be the last with Richard Wright who died in 2008. The final Pink Floyd album The Endless River would be dedicated in his honor. 2015 saw the release of Rattle That Lock, featuring the title track and "Today." During his tour, he would return to Pompeii for a live album. Now in 2024, he has returned for his 5th solo album produced with Charlie Andrew and featuring Guy Pratt, Steve Gadd and many star players.

[kevinsaleeba]

I actually find Romany’s voice hauntingly beautiful. It’s similar to how David’s voice sounded when he was younger. Dave’s voice is a little weathered now at his advanced age and it’s nice to have his daughter echo her dad’s tone from the past. It’s the highlight of the album for me.

[josephst.george]

I’ve seen Roger live twice, this upcoming November I’m finally gonna see David live. Now I just gotta see nick live! I personally am very 50/50 on David’s solo albums, so going into this album I didn’t know what to expect. I listened to the new album and I gotta say I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.

[-brackets-]

Two videos in one day! Goldfish for me, Scattered nearly brought me to tears and it’s up there with my favorite solos by him. Quick thoughts on other Gilmour solo records.
Gilmour 78-Goldish
About Face-Spotted Fish
On an Island-Goldfish
Rattle that Lock-Spotted Fish
Luck and Strange-Goldfish

[goldiefish]

Dave is 78! His playing is still top notch. Have to disagree about Romany's voice. She is perfect for this song (by Montgolfier Brothers originally, is this the first time David has had a cover on one of his solo albums?) In interviews he accepted his voice was wrong for the song, so he changed the key to suit Ro's pristine voice. I hope we'll see and hear more from her.

[philgray]

"Between two points" was originally made by the Montgolfier Brothers - I checked out some of their music after hearing this from David, and was pleasantly surprised.

[barbarad.]

The lyrics for SCATTERED were written by his stepson Charlie. I think he does better than his mom and may have stumbled on a career choice! My opinion, SCATTERED lyrics closer to sounding like a true Pink Floyd vibe.

[StingrayMk]

Your comments regards Between Two Points and Romany's voice are interesting to me, and quite at odds with other reviews of this album which consider the song and indeed her to be a highlight. I'm fascinated by the whole album. I suspect its got stuff locked up inside it which will be revealed with successive listens. Thanks for the vid. Sorry about your hand; I hope you'll be able to play again soon.

[r.a.fiallos]

All I can say is if you get a chance to see him in concert, do it. This legend is 78…this we I’ll probably be his last tour.

[brandonmclendon]

This album is a goldfish for me. On an Island is still my favorite solo album from David Gilmour, but this album has a ton of highlights like the title track, Scattered, and especially Between Two Points.

PS, I would love to see you do a ranking of all the solo albums from Pink Floyd.

[twohandsandaradio]

Polly Samson, his wife, wrote most of the lyrics so that's why you're feeling a difference from Division Bell etc. Sings...doesn't strike me at all about the pandemic. It strikes me about wanting to just shut this crazy world out and stay in our cocoon. Scattered... anyone younger than 40 won't get it. At 62 the song moved me to tears. Time is a tide that disobeys.

[stuartjameswright]

I love Romany's voice on Between Two Points. It was originally performed by The Montgolfier Brothers.

[ricksantos]

I love Sing it’s my favorite song on the album 💿

[goosesniper]

I really hope the upcoming tour is released as a video and live album. With limited dates, cities, and expensive tickets, it’s sadly not a possibility for most people to see him again.

[mynameiskyler]

So far I vibe with the album! I’m just happy David continues to do his own thing! My fiancé, my best friend from high school, and myself are excited to see him in New York in November!

P.S. - hope your hand heals fast bro!

[standardbrickproductions]

Hey JT! Absolutely loved all your pink floyd videos, some of them I watched multiple times. I listened to the album today and have enjoyed it. Stand out tracks for me are Dark and Velvet nights, luck and strange and especially scattered which I adore. Pipers call is nice as well. Funnily not a big fan of "sings". It drags on a bit to much for me its a bit boring, although I'll have to give it a few more listens. The synth solo is good.

Hope you feel better soon and I'm excited for the full review video!!!

[teddyfurstman]

Pink Floyd Review Series are alive and well. Glad David Gilmour is doing some cool Progressive Blue Rock again.

[thisisevan]

I think we're in agreement? "Luck and Strange" is ok. It's got some nice songs ("Scattered", "Between Two Points, " "Luck and Strange"). It's also got some bad songs (first half of "The Piper's Call", "A Single Spark") and two completely wasteful filler super-short instrumentals in "Black Cat" and "Vita Brevis." Like, why bother with those tracks when they're given no chance to develop into something interesting?

But even the best songs on "Luck and Strange" don't really compare to the best songs on Gilmour's previous two solo albums.

"On An Island" is easily David Gilmour's best solo work, and this album isn't anywhere close to that level. It's not even on the level of "Rattle That Lock." It's somewhere in-between his debut solo album and "About Face, " depending on how one personally ranks those two albums.

[mogensstibolt]

I have been a big fan of Pink Floyd for 36 years. I am incredibly excited to see David Gilmour in Rome in October in four weeks. I think the first part of the concert will be beautiful and elegant, but very quiet and delicate. We will probably all be sitting and looking forward to the second part with legendary Pink Floyd songs.
I am going to the concert alone (traveling from Denmark just to see the concert). I will always love Pink Floyd, but I am looking forward to saying goodbye to Gilmour."

[daemonspudguy]

David Gilmour's shows this tour are all insanely expensive.

[threadsoflifebooks]

They'll likely do High Hopes too, as you can see the bell as part of the drum kit.