Luck and Strange

I honestly can't say enough good stuff about the album. I'll get the tiny negatives out of the way first. 1) There are a couple of tracks where David's vocals are a bit scratchy, as if the gain was turned up too loud during recording. 2) On the track "The Piper's Call", David hits the upper end of his vocal range, and it doesn't sound very good. 3) The key changes in a couple of the songs are rather abrupt, and disrupt the flow of the songs. Having said those, this album is still top-notch. David's daughter Romany performs brilliantly on "Between Two Points", and her voice it like Dido's but more crisp, less breathy and with a British accent (which I like). That track is my favorite on the album, and the lyrics are like Pink Floyd's, so this track is wonderful. I hope to hear more from her in the future, both with David and on her own. My second favorite track is the 14-minute acoustic track "Luck and Strange (Original Barn Jam)". Slow jazz / blues at its best, and the short form title track is good, too. "Yes, I Have Ghosts" is also wonderful. The melancholy it generates is one of the things I look for in music in general (I grew up in the latter years of Pink Floyd, and it made me feel not so alone at the time). It's beautiful, quiet, and shows David's lower vocal range, mixed just right. And Romany is singing on this track, too, which is wonderful. "Dark And Velvet Nights" is a callback to "This Heaven" from his album "On An Island". It evokes bar-hopping and walking the "meat markets", looking for strange (see the album title). "Sings" is another well-done melancholy song, evoking old age and years past. "Scattered" starts abrupt key changes at 2:38 to 3:16, evoking things falling apart. It breaks the flow of the song, but eventually gets back on track. The first track "Black Cat" perfectly sets the tone for the album, and it sounds like it picked up from where Pink Floyd's "The Endless River" left off - but it's only 1:30 long. "A Single Spark" is the main song where the vocal gain seems too high, and it sounds like David's voice ends in hissing at times. This song is probably the emotion high point of the album, the least melancholy. "The Piper's Call" is probably the weakest track on the album, but it's not bad by any stretch. It sets up an island-sounding music, but the key switching is a little awkward at points. The drums become much louder in the middle of the song, which is a little overbearing and makes the song less relaxing. David pushes his upper range a bit, and this is the other track where the vocal mixing sounds like it has a bit too much gain. It feels like the song cuts off rather abruptly, too. Having said all that, I want more like this. A lot more like this. I could listen to the Barn Jam track on repeat and not get tired of it. This is why I listen to Pink Floyd, and why I listen to David Gilmour...and hopefully will be listening to Romany Gilmour CDs eventually.

Once again David absolutely knocks it out of the park! His daughter Romany has a beautiful voice accompanied by his amazing guitar and her harp it dishes up some beautifully angelic music to my ears. It seems that Mr. Gilmour only gets better and better each & every album. I really hope, for all of humanity, that he does a 60-120 day residency at the Sphere! He has the excellence that he no longer needs (and hasn't needed to for a very long time) tour. He has the massive fan base that adores him and we will travel wherever we need to to hear him & enjoy his music. He can plant himself in 1 spot and the fans will flock to him and there's no better place here in the states for that than The Sphere! In the meantime I will continue to enjoy his music on vinyl & CD; just like I have done since I was a boy during the 70s/80s and every decade up to today!

This is by far Gilmour's best solo effort. I really love his other solo works but this is a spectacular effort. I particularly liked the track 'Between Two Points' with Romany Gilmour providing the vocals. David's guitar is brilliant throughout and his vocals have an almost haunting tone all through the recording. David is my favorite guitarist so I had really anticipated the album, but the over all quality completely blew me away. The years have somewhat changed David's voice but it's not a negative thing because his voice is ideal for the material presented here. The inclusion of family members doesn't always go well sometimes in other projects but here it is a big plus, everyone should be proud of this disc. This album should definitely be considered for album of the year. The instrumentation, vocals, lyrics and overall performance is near perfection. Love it David! Keep it up!

From the opening notes, there's no doubt who it is. Gilmour's guitar and voice show that age hasn't affected him at all. The musicianship is flawless and the lyrics are substantive. Good to see mainstay Guy Pratt contribute to the sound we all know and love. This isn't what I'd call a party album.. but would be awesome in more intimate settings. Most of the tracks are on the mellow side but there's still occasions where the solos that made Gilmour a legend are featured and are just as fresh. Some surprises - Steve Gadd on drums and Brian Eno on keys; and Romany Gilmour's lead vocals on "Between Two Points" were outstanding and beautiful. She's definitely got some pipes!! Made me think of Sam Brown maybe for reasons only I understand. The final surprise was the bonus track (CD) which was an early rendition of "Luck and Strange" that featured the late, great Richard Wright on keys. It seems to be from the "Barn Jams" of 2007 which you can find on YouTube. This one will grow on you.

Great cd.

Leading up to the release of Luck & Strange, Mr Gilmour said he thought it was the best thing he had done since Dark Side of the Moon. Which seemed odd to me, since he's on record as saying WYWH is his favorite PF album. So it seemed like some marketing hype and I thought he'd be hard pressed to match or exceed On An Island. The first time I listened to Luck and Strange, I didn't think he had. By the third or fourth listen, I was agreeing that it could indeed stand toe-to-toe with the legendary albums he crafted with PF in the '70s. His guitar work is astonishing, the lyrics are weighty without being overwhelming, and the inclusion of Romany adds a fresh and poignant vibe that his other albums haven't had. I think, in time, the solo on "Scattered" will be held in the same regard as his solos on "Time" and "Comfortably Numb." The last time I listened to it, a tear or two escaped my eyes. So glad I could see him at the Intuit Dome. Album of the year for me, easily. Wonder if any Grammy hardware might be forthcoming.

Luck and Strange, David Gilmour’s first studio album since Rattle That Lock in 2015, is everything a David Gilmour fan is looking for in a collection of songs: emotive, soulful singing and especially, poignant, soulful, note-perfect guitar playing. Most of the lyrics on Luck and Strange were written by Gilmour’s long-term partner, Polly Samson, and are as thoughtful and poignant as Gilmour’s music that they are set to. A particular highlight of the album is when Gilmour’s daughter, Romany, takes over the lead vocal on “Between Two Points.” Gabriel Gilmour, a son, also contributes backing vocals to several tracks along with Romany. Luck and Strange turns out to be a real family affair. Luck and Strange is a delight throughout, but Gilmour may have saved the best for last. One of the bonus tracks is entitled “Luck and Strange(original Barn Jam).” This is an extended instrumental version of the title track from 2007, featuring Pink Floyd’s longtime keyboardist, Richard Wright, before his untimely death the following year. Everything one loves about Gilmour’s music is present in this jam, and it is a joy to hear great musicians doing what they love best. If you are a fan of David Gilmour’s soulful singing and evocative guitar playing, Luck and Strange is for you. Highly recommended.

Excellent album. Well written and performed. I must listen to the whole album when I put it on. Can’t listen to just one song.

Excelente álbum de David Gilmour, o melhor de sua carreira solo.

Luck and Strange: is the fifth solo studio album release by David Gilmour - best known as the guitarist,vocalist - and songwriter of Pink Floyd. This latest release - in September 2024 - has a same but different (an oxymoron) feel to it,compared to some of his previous 'solo' albums.familiar rock songs and beautiful ballads; are now joined by folk and jazz leaning inclusions. It's a Gilmour family affair with contributions from David G's children; Romany,Gabriel and Charlie (co-songwriter on 'Scattered'),and not forgetting his wife Polly Samson writing all lyrics of album's vocal tracks - bar one. Along with other notable fine musicians' contributing EG: Guy Pratt (Bass G),Steve Distanisloa and the legendary Steve Gadd (drums),and Rob Gentry (keyboards). L&S album opener: Black cat - is a short instrumental burst.followed by - title track: err Luck and Strange - oddly enough 🤔 😂 It's origins date back to an informal 'Barn jam' session that took place at David G's home in 2007 (this is the updated version included here),featuring the late and very great - pink floyd co-founder and keyboard player - Richard Wright,and latterday contributions from David and Romany Gilmour and percussionist Adam Betts - apparently! Interesting lyrics too.optimistic and positive vibes of 'but let's hope it's not just luck and Strange a one-off peaceful golden age.that's a dark thought in the dark' - wonderful stuff! Same vibes on next track: The piper's call. This is followed by a rather short instrumental in - Vita Brevis - with the duo of Romany on harp and dad on slide guitar.flowing into Between two points: the only non-original composition on the album and a cover version of a Montgolfier brothers song; it sees Romany Gilmour taking on lead vocals,along with her harp playing puts in a superb performance on this track.a future named singing artist in the making? - she ought to be! Dark and velvet nights: is the most heaviest prog-rock offering on the album,and only track where DG hints at re-visiting his 'Floydian' past.superb musicianship (again). Next up 'Sings': is lyrically the most personal (to the Gilmour's at least) track on the album - have a listen if you don't believe me 😊 Final closing track on Luck and strange standard album - Scattered: is a truly excellent and epic closer. Although I've not previously mentioned the wonderful orchestral (and choir) contributions - and the main star of the show - David Gilmour's incredible guitar playing throughout - then here is an excellent place to start - on Scattered.they both excel in their specialist musical departments.an excellent and quite powerful end to an excellent latest solo album from the legend that is - David Gilmour 🎸🎤🎶 The one cd version I am reviewing,contains two bonus tracks; yes,I have ghosts: is the most haunting track on the album- appropriately! The second outing of Romany G on lead vocals and harp.with string quartet sampling and a special mention for John McCusker on fiddle 🎻 distinct and superb contribution,giving this track an authentic folk feel.David G makes an appearance or two on here as well 😀 Ultimate track on disc: Luck and Strange (original barn jam),is an expanded 14 minute jam of previous track 2 version.it was recorded at David Gilmour's converted barn at his farmhouse complex home. Taking place in 2007 and including contributions by; DG on guitar? Indeed!,Richard Wright: electric piano and the other afforementioned musicians on T2. A smashing sounding tight jam with a jazz feel to proceedings - a wonderful and poignant end to (re: Richard Wright) superb latest David gilmour (solo) album. With new co-producer Charlie Andrew on board; he does an excellent job as far as I can tell;with superb sound quality,balance of vocals and instruments are in the right places - part of what a record producers job is all about - I think 🤔 Took a few listens to convince me it's worth 4. 5/5 stars.take it from me - it is now!! PS: presented in soft digipack fold-out format with photos of Mr & Mrs Gilmour,full lyrics,musician credits for every track and extended credits and thank you's for all album contributors.plus photos and design by renowned artist and photographer - Anton Corbijn (including the distinctive album front cover). Stop press: hours before I completed this review; Luck and Strange by David Gilmour,enters the official UK 🇬🇧 albums chart straight in at number one.making it his third no 1 solo studio album to date - congratulations David - thoroughly deserved 👏 glad I could help by buying a 'physical' copy.

Świetna płyta, dwa utwory w bonusie, razem aż 11, dodatkowo na dwóch śpiewa Romany, polecam.

How can I not love the classic's.

Me parece un álbum excelente. Y con un empuje y una calidad vocal encomiable para un músico de 78 años. No diré que sea su mejor trabajo en solitario, porque creo que ese puesto debe ser para About Face, pero quizá este vaya justo a continuación. También es cierto que, a mi parecer, las letras de Polly Samson han mejorado notablemente. -Black Cat es la típica suite de inicio, similar a la de otros trabajos, es decir, a 5.A.M. y Castelhorizon. Me parece bastante menos inspirada que estas. -Luck and Strange, que parte de una sesión de improvisación del 2006, cuenta con los teclados de Richard Wright y se nota. Además, algunos de los pasajes vocales son realmente preciosos. Gran tema. -The Piper's Call me parece una maravilla, con unos coros muy acertados, la inclusión de varias guitarras y un estribillo muy pegadizo y que se eleva. El final es muy cañero. -A Single Spark evoca, por momentos, el tono de On an Island. Una muestra de lo que la voz de Gilmour aún puede dar gracias a su colorido. Cuenta con pasajes de guitarra realmente preciosos. -Vita Brevis es un cortísimo paisaje, aunque precioso, con presencia de arpas. -El versionado Between Two Points es uno de los mejores temas del álbum. La voz de Romany es preciosa y el solo final que añade Gilmour es sencillamente perfecto (de los mejores momentos del album). Sin embargo, al ser una composición ajena, la letra resulta discordante respecto al resto. El álbum pierde algo de cohesión en su mensaje sobre últimos disfrutes previos a la muerte. Quizá debió ser una canción bonus. -Dark and Velvet Nights resulta bastante rompedora y pegadiza. Rompe con el ritmo hacia su parte central y luego regresa para rematar con un pasaje de guitarra. Gran trabajo de la percusión. -Sings es un tema algo más relajado y ensoñador, que termina con un minuto puramente instrumental y de gran valía. -Scattered es un tema que gana más y más según se escucha. Variado, lento en su comienzo y en su magnífico y romántico final, y más animado hacia su parte central. Una interpretación vocal majestuosa y unas letras que por momentos, aquí, sí que funcionan muy bien. Presencia de guitarra acústica y punteos muy agudos de la eléctrica. La imagen de un hombre en mitad de un río luchando contra la marea, como el anciano que lucha contra el tiempo que pasa y lo conduce hacia la muerte. Un cierre magnífico.