David Gilmour - The Making of Luck and Strange

Directed by Gavin Elder

*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 #LuckandStrange #PinkFloyd #BehindTheScenes #MakingOf

[elihuchitrit]

33 years ago I got my first guitar and my uncle gave me an old cassette and told me "take it, listen and learn" it was a Pink Floyd tape. From then until today, David Gilmour is my mentor in everything related to the love of music, a magical touch, a guitar sound that penetrates your soul. How much soul and creativity in one person. David you are the greatest of all.

[royjunior]

I’m a 76 year old guy and I’m tearing up watching and listening to Mr. Gilmour’s words and music. God Bless!!

[ihots]

Thank you Mr. Gilmour.
I'm 67 years old and have had the pleasure to watch you perform live 7 times. I have all of your music in my collection!
It's always a treat to see and hear you perform.
You are a true Master of emotive music.
You have greatly enhanced my life with your music and thoughtful lyrics.
A great big THANK YOU, and a big hug for you David!

[berndwolfram]

What a soulfull Voice .SIR Gilmour..an honor to live at the same Time...😊😊

[lessismore]

Everything is so meaningful with David, I love how it is a family creation, orchestraded by a wonderful dad ❤

[goddessinme]

I'm tearing up and I'm only 5 minutes into the video. Ah, David Gilmour has offered so much of himself to all of us and it's been a pleasure and honor. I am so grateful to share this journey with him. I am delighted that he's happy with this album. I'm looking forward to hearing it.

[timwills]

There is still some magic in the world....This is very, very special indeed. Bless you David. ❤🎸

[bryanstaddon]

It’s really great to have a musician in my life who has never done anything I didn’t love. For 55 years! Thank you David and family, love to you all.

[pimentelmusica]

I had tears in my eyes watching this video, i love music made with heart and positive values. Thank you for creating new music this wonderful way.

[NortyDorty]

Went to the 3rd show in NYC and consider it one of if not the greatest show I’ve seen in my 71 years. So many layers, so many textures, so much to take in, so many talented musicians on that stage and David’s sublime playing as the glue that holds it all together and at the same time was the cherry on top. Brilliant. Beautiful!

[Moyetniishiswa]

When the Dr told me it was time for me to choose to turn off the life support for my best friend, who also happened to be my father, I went in a room at the hospital put in my headphones and played ‘a boat lies waiting’ . Alone, tears streaming down my face I sat for 3 or so minutes remembering him and all my Dad meant to me and all he had given and taught me, which included raising me on Pink Floyd.

[christopherwatson]

For all the moments from 1970 until now - Thank you! Looking forward! All the best!

[gavinallen]

David Gilmour. Simply a master musician of our modern times. We are blessed with this perfection of musical talent. Love it all ❤❤❤

[jeff]

Sir David Gilmour must be from another planet because his music is simply otherworldly.

[propjoe]

How lucky we are to have another new release from the great David Gilmour. Can't wait to hear the album in full!

[Anthonypinkfloydguitarsoloscov]

For david u changed my life from addiction to guitarist when i heared your music for the first time i was 16 im 48 now i drive my parents crazy to buy me a strat at 18yrs old thank u david yur d best guitar sounding soloist in the world and whatabout that steel guitar guys gilmour plays so fuckin genuis hes guitar solos gets in my heart i get tears evertime i watch hes concerts i love u man

[souhityogupta]

6:03-6:43 - Reminds us of Richard Wright's keyboard notes in Echoes 😢❤

[tykers.]

That song at 5:00 sounds amazing, can't wait for the album!

[FrankPCarpi]

It's a beautiful thing to have your children playing music together with you David. Family is a wonderful thing to have especially when they have the same passion for your business.

[danafrancis]

A living legend. I've loved David Gilmour for decades.