“Wish You Were Here” is the ninth studio album by the
English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 12 September 1975 through Harvest
Records and Columbia Records, their first release for the latter. Based on
material Pink Floyd composed while performing in Europe, “Wish You Were Here”
was recorded over numerous sessions throughout 1975 at Abbey Road Studios in
London.
The album's themes include criticism of the music business, alienation, and a
tribute to founding member Syd Barrett, who left seven years earlier with
deteriorating mental health. Like their previous record, “The Dark Side of the
Moon” (1973), Pink Floyd used studio effects and synthesisers. Guest singers
included Roy Harper, who provided the lead vocals on "Have a Cigar",
and Venetta Fields, who added backing vocals to "Shine On You Crazy
Diamond". To promote the album, the band released the double A-side single
"Have a Cigar" / "Welcome to the Machine".
“Wish You Were Here” received mixed reviews from critics on its release, who
found its music uninspiring and inferior to their previous work. It has
retrospectively received critical acclaim, hailed as one of the greatest albums
of all time, and was cited by keyboardist Richard Wright and guitarist David
Gilmour as their favourite Pink Floyd album. It reached number one in the US
and UK and Harvest's parent company, EMI, was unable to keep up with the
demand. Since then, the record has sold over 20 million copies.
“Wish You Were Here” este al noualea album de studio al
trupei engleze de rock Pink Floyd, lansata la 12 septembrie 1975 prin Harvest
Records si Columbia Records, fiind prima lansare cu cea din urma companie.
Bazat pe un material compus de Pink Floyd in timpul turneelor europene, “Wish
You Were Here” a fost inregistrat la studiourile Abbey Road din Londra.
Temele albumului includ o critica a afacerilor musicale, a instrainarii si
sunt un tribute adus lui Syd Barrett, membru cofondator al trupei si care cu
sapte ani in urma s-a retras din trupa datorita unei deteriorari a starii sale
mentale. Ca si in inregistrarea lor anterioara “The Dark Side of the Moon”
(1973), Pink Floyd au folosit efecte de studio si sintetizatoare. Solistii
vocali invitati au fost Roy Harper, care a fost voce principal pe “Have a Cigar”,
si Venetta Fields cu backing vocals pe “Shine on You Crazy Diamond”. Pentru a
promova albumul trupaa lansat un single cu fata A dubla cu “Have a Cigar” si “Welcome
to the Machine”.
“Wish You Were Here” a primit recenzii amestecate de la critici la lansare,
care i-au gasit muzica neinspirata si inferioara lucrarilor anterioare.
Retroactiv s-au primit crititci de lauda, aclamand albumul ca unul dintre cele
mai mari din toate timpurile si a fost citat ca albumul lor favorit de la Pink
Floyd de catre claparul Richard Wright si chitaristul David Gilmore. A atins
numarul 1 in Statele Unite si Marea Britanie si, compania mama a lui Harvest,
EMI nu a putut tine pasul cu cererea de albume. De atunci au fost vandute peste
20 de milioane de copii ale albumului.
List of tracks
Side 1
1. "Shine
On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I–V)
13:32
2. "Welcome
to the Machine" 7:28
Side 2
1. "Have
a Cigar" (featuring Roy Harper) 5:08
2. "Wish
You Were Here" 5:35
3. "Shine
On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI–IX)"
12:28
Personnel
Pink Floyd
David Gilmour – vocals, guitars, pedal steel guitar, EMS
Synthi AKS, additional bass, glass harmonica, tape effects
Roger Waters – vocals, bass guitar, EMS VCS 3, additional
guitar, glass harmonica, tape effects
Nick Mason – drums, percussion, tympani, cymbals, tape
effects
Richard Wright – Hammond organ, ARP String Ensemble,
Minimoog, Steinway piano, EMS VCS 3, Hohner Clavinet D6, Wurlitzer EP-200
electric piano, glass harmonica, backing vocals
Additional musicians
Dick Parry – tenor and baritone saxophone on “Shine On
You Crazy Diamond”
Roy Harper – lead vocals on “Have a Cigar”
Venetta Fields – backing vocals
Carlena Williams – backing vocals
Vizita neasteptata a lui Syd Barrett la studiourile Abbey Road
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