Now Playing ( NON film / game / tv scores ) - Part ~~~~~

The Final Cut - Roger Waters feat. 2 members of Pink Floyd

So I read that many Floyd fans acknowledge this almost solo effort as a monumental failure.

I don't get that. It's pure poetry in the lyrics department and many standout moments through exemplary Waters songwriting. Masterpiece in my book.

Agreed!

You're more on the Gilmour side of things?

That's right. I respect both Gilmour and Waters tremendously. Floyd made some of their greatest musical stuff when they managed to bring their creative forces to a synthesis. Waters on his own is a hell of a poet, his music is super solid but it doesn't excel. Same goes for Gilmour, who on his own makes fine music but somewhat remains in his comfort zone.
The same can be said about other bands that have two ore more songwriters. There are always antagonistic forces. If these can be bridged, not in the way of compromise which is diminishing the result, but by achieving a synthesis on a higher level, the result will be thrilling. Lennon & McCartney come to mind of course.

Volker

Mainly, yes.

But I would have to say that The Division Bell is bloody fantastic too. Which is mostly Gilmour's baby anyway.

My very fist CD was KuschelRock 1, a pop music compilation. They've churned out over 30 CDs in that series by now. Quite popular here in Germany. If I remember correctly my first score CD was Toto's DUNE. Or the "Best of Space Music" compilation (Williams/Boston Pops) on the Philips label. I played them on my parent's CD player.

Volker

Speaking of Pink Floyd, I assume you're all aware that Roger has a new studio album coming out; the first since AMUSED TO DEATH? Release date is unknown, but it should be right around the corner:

https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/02/ … ally-want/

As you say, CA IRA is an opera, not a studio album. And it isn't very good. I think I've played it all but twice over the years. Very difficult to get through in one sitting.

Yeah, my dad too. Except that it isn't 'classical' opera, it's a weird hybrid of musical theatre, opera and something else -- more rock-oriented "melodies" that don't suit the opera format very well. It becomes irritating after a while. I simply think Waters is not really able to write more classical stuff; he's better at big ROCK operas. From the brief clip above (from the new studio album), it thankfully seems he's back to his true strength again.

Me too!

NP: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) - The Fab Four

It's a cliché and a platitude to state, but this album is a marvel.

Volker

Just those two as far as I know. My all time favourite recording is Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony.

oops! How could I forget a version by film composer turned classical conductor Andre Previn

p.s. I just listened to The Planets arranged for organ. Pretty damned good. It's on Spotify.

Both have been 'evergreens' for decades.

I was once lucky enough to see Andre Previn conduct the LSO in a program of British music which included Vaughan Williams, Delius and Holst Planets suite. I was 14 or 15 yrs old and had not long got into film music, I didn't know at that point that Andre Previn had had a career as a Hollywood film composer.