David Gilmour - Wish You Were Here (Rehearsal Clip)

David Gilmour rehearsing Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" with Ben Worsley (also featuring Wesley the dog).

*ABOUT LUCK AND STRANGE*
‘Luck and Strange’ was recorded over five months in Brighton and London and is Gilmour’s first album of new material in nine years. The record was produced by David and Charlie Andrew, best known for his work with ALT-J and Marika Hackman. Of this new working relationship, David says, “We invited Charlie to the house, so he came and listened to some demos, and said things like, “Well, why does there have to be a guitar solo there?” and “Do they all fade out? Can’t some of them just end?”. He has a wonderful lack of knowledge or respect for this past of mine. He’s very direct and not in any way overawed, and I love that. That is just so good for me because the last thing you want is people just deferring to you.”

The majority of the album’s lyrics have been composed by Polly Samson, Gilmour’s co-writer and collaborator for the past thirty years. Samson says of the lyrical themes covered on ‘Luck and Strange’, “It’s written from the point of view of being older; mortality is the constant.” Gilmour elaborates, “We spent a load of time during and after lockdown talking about and thinking about those kind of things.” Polly has also found the experience of working with Charlie Andrew liberating, “He wants to know what the songs are about, he wants everyone who’s playing on them to have the ideas that are in the lyric informing their playing. I have particularly loved it for that reason.”

The album features eight new tracks along with a beautiful reworking of The Montgolfier Brothers’ ‘Between Two Points’ and has artwork and photography by the renowned artist Anton Corbijn.

Musicians contributing to the record include Guy Pratt & Tom Herbert on bass, Adam Betts, Steve Gadd and Steve DiStanislao on drums, Rob Gentry & Roger Eno on keyboards with string and choral arrangements by Will Gardner. The title track also features the late Pink Floyd keyboard player Richard Wright, recorded in 2007 at a jam in a barn at David’s house.

Some contributions emerged from the live streams that Gilmour and family performed to a global audience during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021; Romany Gilmour sings, plays the harp and appears on lead vocals on ‘Between Two Points’. Gabriel Gilmour also sings backing vocals.

The album’s cover image, photographed and designed by Anton Corbijn, is inspired by a lyric written by Charlie Gilmour for the album’s final song ‘Scattered’. Of working with his family on ‘Luck and Strange’, David says, “Polly and I have been writing together for over thirty years and the Von Trapped live streams showed the great blend of Romany’s voice and harp-playing and that led us into a feeling of discarding some of the past that I’d felt bound to and that I could throw those rules out and do whatever I felt like doing, and that has been such a joy.”

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*DAVID GILMOUR SOCIAL MEDIA*

*ABOUT DAVID GILMOUR*

A Cambridge friend of Syd Barrett, David joined Syd, with Roger Waters, Richard Wright, and Nick Mason, in Pink Floyd in early 1968, only for Syd to leave the group five gigs later. Pink Floyd's subsequent huge worldwide success continued after Roger Waters' departure in 1985, with the albums A Momentary Lapse Of Reason and The Division Bell both charting at No. 1 in the UK and the US, and sell-out world tours. Rattle That Lock released in 2015 and David’s 4th solo album, went to No. 1 in 13 countries. In 2017, Live at Pompeii released as a live album and film which was recorded at the Amphitheatre of Pompeii.

#DavidGilmour #PinkFloyd #davidsguitars #behindthescene

[Engineer_Who]

Hard to believe a song so timeless is turning 50 next year.

[dojyaan.]

David, you inspire me so much. Im only 14 and have picked up guitar a year and a half ago because of you. Please keep doing what you're doing! ❤️

[ivomalach]

I love the fact that there's always dogs around David's rehearsals and videos!

[matte]

I am going to London from Brazil just to see you, David. Cannot wait!

[farhanshahriar]

I am 20 years old and i knew about pink floyd in 2021.Then i fall in love with Sir David Gilmour's precious solos and voice.I wish i could see him in live show one day🥺.

[johnrogers]

Could you imagine just sitting around playing guitar with David Gilmour? Talk about died and gone to heaven. Just absolutely holy crap. Goosebumps and watery eyes just thinking about it.

[ronallison]

I saw Pink Floyd in Tampa Florida May of 1994 and it was the best show I have ever seen. I never dreamed David Gilmore would tour again. I live in Indiana and have a ticket to see his show November 4th in New York City. I can't wait!!!

[deniss.]

I'm a 60-year-old man and I say this man is the only one I know who is able to make his guitar "sing". You are an inspiration. 🎸🎸👍👍

[CedricsSpecialLP]

I am so glad I got tickets for a show in Rome. This man is my musical hero, and I am glad I have a chance to see him live.

[jalalfaruque]

This song inspired me my entire musical life. I'm 53 now. Still going on. Love you Dave 🎸🙌❤️💚

[cook]

As a child, my fondest memories with my father often revolved around music. Every Sunday afternoon, without fail, he would pull out his old vinyl records, and we’d sit in the living room with the sunlight streaming through the windows. He had a deep love for Pink Floyd, and “Wish You Were Here” was his favorite.

He’d set the needle on the record with a reverence that always fascinated me, as if he were handling something sacred. Then, he’d sit back in his favorite armchair, close his eyes, and let the music wash over him. I would sit beside him, mesmerized by the melody and the way it seemed to transport him to another world. He’d tell me stories about the band, about his youth, and about dreams he once had. Those afternoons were our special time, just the two of us, sharing something pure and timeless.

Years passed, and I grew up. Life took its turns, and I moved away, busy with work and the endless demands of adulthood. My father aged too, though I tried not to notice the subtle signs of wear and tear on the man who had always seemed invincible. Then, one day, the call came. The doctor’s voice was gentle but firm, the kind of tone reserved for delivering bad news. My father was in the hospital, and it didn’t look good.

I rushed to his side, my heart heavy with a mix of fear and sorrow. When I walked into his room, he looked so small and fragile, a stark contrast to the towering figure of my childhood memories. The beeping of machines and the sterile smell of antiseptic filled the room, an unwelcome intrusion into the intimate space we had once shared.

Sitting by his bedside, I took his hand in mine. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, a faint smile played on his lips. “Hey, kiddo, ” he whispered, his voice barely audible. I choked back the tears threatening to spill over, not wanting him to see my pain.

In that moment, I remembered our Sundays and the music that had been the soundtrack of our bond. I pulled out my phone, opened the music app, and searched for “Wish You Were Here.” As the familiar notes began to play, I watched his face relax. His eyes closed, and for the first time in days, he seemed at peace.

I played the song on repeat, sitting there for hours, holding his hand and whispering the lyrics softly, as if they were a lullaby. The music filled the room, creating a bubble of serenity amidst the chaos of the hospital. I hoped it would take him back to those sunlit afternoons, to a time when pain was just a word and life was simple and sweet.

As the final notes faded, his breathing slowed, and a gentle stillness settled over him. My father passed away that night, with “Wish You Were Here” echoing in the background, a fitting tribute to a man whose love for music had been a gift he’d passed on to me.

[brandonmclendon]

Even on my hundredth listen to this song, it still sounds magical like the first time I heard it

[ThePilot_USA]

I can listen to this for hours and hours and be delighted every single minute of this iconic song.

[billhufford]

Amazing what a couple of metal strings can do in the hands of a genius.Thank you David and Pink Floyd for what you contributed to this world.Forever grateful.

[Sandro]

I was about six years old as i listen first time Davids magic voice and his guitar playing, my father was big fan of Pink Floyd, now i am 48 and still listening. I have to wait 40 years of the chance to see him live and then he come to Germany - Stuttgart. This was one of the best concert of my live. I hear the first note from his guitar, this was so emotional to me and can´t stop crying of luck the hole gig. You are my hero, you are a living Legend. Thanks for your music David... and plz keep on rockin and jammin and sharing this with us.

[thBeatle]

I just got a 12-string guitar, because of you, David! Thanks for putting out amazing music in the 21st century!

[AngelMTZA]

YES! He is playing this on the tour! (It was obvious tbh)

[trenawawrzyniak]

Okay so I'd really love to be that dog. He or she is so lucky that it got David Gilmour as a pet parent. ❤😊 At 57 I have been in awe of Mr. GILMOUR talent on the guitar since I was 6yrs.old. He never fails to give me goosebumps. Thanks Mr. Gilmour for 50plus yrs. Of beautiful music. Please don't retire any time soon, love ya.

[LOGANTHOMASBLUES]

❤was born with this album, 1975. I love it! Thanks Dave for that marvelous music.

[Constantius-XI]

Never gets old!
The smile in David's face is all the money in the world!!
Thank you so much for all you have given...
You are the Greatest of all!