Pink Floyd Producer NORMAN SMITH Dies

Posted by sulphurfury on Mar 7, 2008

Pink Floyd Producer NORMAN SMITH died yesterday, March 6, 2008, at the age of 85.

Norman Smith became famous for being the producer of Pink Floyd's first three albums. These first three albums let you hear the progression of the band towards Dark Side Of The Moon.

On album one, "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn", released in 1967, the genius of founding member Syd Barrett is featured. Next on album two, "Saucerful of Secrets" released in 1968, Syd Barrett is only on a couple songs, but the other band members grow in his absence. As Syd Barrett disappears and the others forge a new sound, "Ummagumma" is released in 1969.

It is worth picking up NORMAN SMITH's book of stories of his life, including his accounts of working with Pink Floyd in the studio in the Sixties and beyond.

More Roger Waters concert dates

Posted by madhack on Feb 10, 2008

In addition the Coachella festival, Roger Waters has announced spring 2008 concerts in Denver, Dallas, and Houston, as well as in the Netherlands and Denmark. As always, additional dates that may be scheduled will be on the Tour page.

Each show will feature what is now apparently a staple of any Roger Waters show: a full performance of Dark Side of the Moon.

"Oh By The Way"

Posted by madhack on Dec 13, 2007

As many of you already know (especially since I meant to post this Monday), Pink Floyd has released their latest boxed set, Oh By The Way -- and just in time for the holidays. The set contains all 16 of the band's studio albums (minus, of course, the compilation albums Relics, A Collection of Great Dance Songs, and Echoes) with artwork based on the original LP releases', and a few other tidbits.

Unfortunately, there's no new (musical) material to really entice fans. It could still be a good gift for the Floyd fanatic or completist, though; I've already got it on my list to go with my Shine On boxed set. If nothing else, it's worth a peek at the two covers shown on the band's site, with a Waters/Mason version and a Gilmour/Wright version (both included on the set's case). There's also a bit more information on the set's release at their site.

Vic Singh - Story Behind The "Piper" Cover

Posted by sulphurfury on Oct 8, 2007

The story behind the making of the album cover of Pink Floyd's "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn", as told by photographer Vic Singh in an interview last month (Sep 2007). Some alternate takes of the photo shoot can be seen, and Vic describes what took place that day with the band. Today, Vic Singh is working the digital side of photography in a new environment of the avant-garde music and fashion scene that I hear is, at present, evolving in London.

Nick Mason On A Musical Quest

Posted by sulphurfury on Oct 8, 2007

Here was a fun idea. Nick Mason, a racing fan and collector of cars, recently set out on a musical quest. The challenge: to complete one lap around the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany in the time it takes to hear "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" on the Rolls-Royce V-12 Phantom's in-car audio system. (The song is about 13 minutes long, the racetrack is 14 miles long.) Find out if he made it. At one point during the race, Mason was beating out the rhythm of the song on the steering wheel!