David Gilmour CD

Before David Gilmour virtually "became" Pink Floyd he was always the most likely member of the band (with the possible exception of de-facto leader Roger Waters) to release a solo album. 1978's welcome eponymous debut showcased his multi-faceted performing talents.

The album opener "Mihalis" is an ANIMALS period instrumental, which, along with "Raise My Rent," sounds like an outtake from that album. The beautiful "There's No Way Out of Here" begins with a lonely harmonica and, with "No Way" and "I Can't Breathe Anymore," expounds the album's main theme of being trapped in an untenable situation. "Cry From the Streets" is a nod to the blues, while the lovely "So Far Away" harks back to the ballads of OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. Almost a missing mid-period Floyd album, this solo effort is a must-have for all Pink Floyd fans.

By the time of David Gilmour's solo debut, he had not only established himself several times over as an underrated, powerful guitarist in Pink Floyd, but as a remarkably emotional singer, his soothing approach perfectly suited to such songs as "Wish You Were Here." The self-titled album, recorded with journeyman bassist Rick Wills and Sutherland Brothers drummer Willie Wilson, later to be part of the touring Floyd lineup for its Wall dates, isn't a deathless collection of music in comparison to Gilmour's group heights, but is a reasonably pleasant listen nonetheless. Certainly it's much more approachable than Animals, released later that year, eschewing epics for relatively shorter, reflective numbers. While Gilmour wrote the vast majority of the songs himself, the most successful number was co-written with Unicorn member Ken Baker: "There's No Way Out of Here," an agreeably dreamy, wistful song featuring an attractive acoustic slide guitar/harmonica hook. That it sounds a bit like a Pink Floyd outtake certainly doesn't hurt, but one figures Roger Waters would have tried for some heavily barbed lyrics to offset the melancholy. Throughout the album Gilmour sounds like he's having some jamming fun with his compatriots in his own particular blues-meets-the Home Counties style, adding keyboard overdubs here and there (his efforts are passable, but it's understandable why he's known for his guitar work first and foremost). Numbers of note include "Cry From the Street," with its fully rocked-out conclusion, the sweetly sad "So Far Away," one of his best vocal showcases, and the concluding "I Can't Breathe Anymore," capturing the recurrent Pink Floyd theme of isolation quite well. While one would be hard-pressed to hum a memorable melody outside of "There's No Way Out of Here," it's still a good enough experience for those who enjoy his work. [The 2006 reissue added no bonus tracks or enhanced content, though it offer improved packaging.] ~ Ned Raggett

Photographers: David Gilmour; Vlad Vinski; Ginger Gilmour; Jill Furmanovsky.

Unknown Contributor Role: Phil Taylor.

Personnel: David Gilmour (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); David Gilmour; Rick Wills (vocals, bass guitar); Mick Weaver (piano, background vocals); Willie Wilson & The Tunemasters, Willie Wilson (drums, percussion); Debbie Doss, Shirley Roden, Carlena Williams (background vocals).

Recording information: Super Bear Studios, France.