“So, so you think you can tell . . . “

Well, I’m back on the road again; I should be over 100 miles from home by now. And since this is a longish trip – around 4,500 miles, give or take a bit – much music will be played to pass the time.

So, yeah: what follows is yet another musical ramble. Consider yourself forewarned.

. . .

In 1975, Pink Floyd had a bit of a problem. They were releasing another album – and it was the follow up to their groundbreaking Dark Side of the Moon, which was already widely acclaimed as being one of the best popular music albums ever.

Topping their previous album almost certainly wasn’t going to happen. But they gave it their best shot.

The follow-up was titled Wish You Were Here. It was a tribute to founding member Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd’s original vocalist and primary songwriter – as well as a rather scathing critique of the music business, circa the early 1970s. (Barrett had been kicked out of the band in 1968 due to increasingly unreliable and bizarre behavior, likely due to a combination of mental issues and excessive use of recreational chemicals – with the latter probably causing or exacerbating the former. And the stress of going from small-time traveling band member to being the “face” and primary songwriter for a cutting-edge hot band certainly didn’t help, either.)

The album was successful, though not as successful as its predecessor; it topped the charts in both the US and UK. However, initial critical reception was mixed. Many critics panned it at the time.

The album has aged exceptionally well. It’s now thought to be perhaps the band’s second-best album; it’s also included on many “all-time best” album listings.

It’s also perhaps the album were David Gilmour removed any doubt one might have about his exceptional skill as a guitarist. For IMO the best example from the album, see the third track below, between approx 2:25 and 4:40. No, that’s not slide guitar Gilmour’s playing; it’s an instrument not usually used in rock music, a steel pedal guitar. And it’s magnificent. (Gilmour’s work on the album’s other tracks – especially the other two tracks below – is also superb.)

I recently listened to these tracks for the first time in probably decades. They pass the test of time. Enjoy.

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That’s all for now. Will check in from the road as time permits.

Category: Pointless blather, Who knows