ON AN ISLAND

Eagerley awaited release from one of the henchmen of Floyd. Musically very clever and as usual has that air of ' no fault found' to it, which is a typical PF characteristic, perfectionists that they are.

There is a mature feel to ' On An Island', carefree notwithstanding a seriousness which has mellowed somewhat with Gilmour's age. Dreamy like with tinges of mellow like Meddle and a meadowy Obscured By Clouds. If you take the passive elements of Floyd, David Gilmour has captured these perfectly on ' On An Island'. My least favourite track is " Castellorizon" only because it sounds like a hybrid of all the other songs on the album. The Title track is a stunner with great harmonies from Crosby & Nash,' The Blue" is mighty fine as well, Blues all round. It is good to see Jools Holland contributing as well as the highly underrated Mr. Richard Wright, The other highlights include the instrumental " When I Close My Eyes' and the closing ' When We Start", a great tribute to life, at least what one can grasp of it simplified by a campfire and good company. As usual Gilmour's guitar work is exceptional and I think it is important that people not get complacent with his artistic integrity and therfore enjoy this album for what it is planned to be...twilight contemplation or childhood's End....... with a simplistic edge. 3.5 stars for an artist who is simply enjoying himself with collaborators.I look at footage of PF in Pompeii and then see this guy in action all these years later and see the same passion for perfection. Check out the guitar work on ' Pocketful Of Stones'