DAVID GILMOUR

David Gilmour released this his first solo album in 1978, at a time when Pink Floyd were between "Animals" and "The wall". Prior to that he had of course contributed half a side of solo material to Pink Floyd's "Ummagumma", but this self titled album represents his first real venture on his own.

Gilmour writes or co-writes virtually all of the songs, and is album producer. Apart from bass and drum contributions by Rick Wills and Willie Wilson respectively and some help with the backing vocals, what you hear is pretty much all Gilmour.

The album is significantly lighter than the Pink Floyd work of the period. The songs do not sound like they are band rejects, although tracks like "There's no way out of here" might well have found a place on the later "A momentary lapse of reason".

Blues influences come to the fore on "Cry from the street" which features a striking phased change of pace towards the end, and on "No way". "So far away" is a pleasant piano based ballad, Gilmour receiving assistance from Mick Weaver on piano. My personal favourite is the rock orientated "Short and sweet", which features a much harder guitar sound than the rest of the album.

While each track features a guitar interlude from Gilmour, these are kept relatively brief. Apart from the three instrumental tracks ("Mihalis" "Deafinately" and "Raise my rent"), this is primarily an album of songs. "Raise my rent" has Gilmour's trademark guitar sound as its focal point, the almost ambient waves of the solo predating by almost 30 years the core sound of his "On an island" album. "Deafinitely" has a real Camel sound to it, the repeating keyboard theme would have made a fine introduction to any of their albums.

In all, a decent solo album by Gilmour, which allows him to explore areas on the perimeter of Pink Floyd's territory, while remaining well within his own comfort zone.

The sleeve features a collage of photographs of Gilmour and the other contributors to the album. Suffice to say Dave ( and I) had rather more hair then!

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