Pink Floyd's Rick Wright RIP

[dang65]

Coincidentally, I bought Nick Mason's very readable book just yesterday and was reading it when someone texted me with this news. I know it was never going to happen anyway, but it's really sad that the possibility of a classic Floyd line-up reunion is now truly gone. All five members of Pink Floyd had a unique individual sound, but it must be said that Rick Wright's was the most unique of all. RIP.

[dang65]

Actually, thinking about it, how many distinctive keyboard players are there in the history of rock? A handful? It's one of those instruments that kind of needs to be there but rarely stands out on its own in any way. Rick Wright's playing, on the other hand, is all over Pink Floyd's records and stands out completely. Maybe another thread...

[Quaco]

One reason, I think, is that he chose the Farfisa as his primary instrument. (Or maybe that's all he could afford in the early days.) Using this in a non-go-go way, but rather as sort of an Arabic reed instrument, gave him a different sound from most other players. Then after a couple albums, he started using the Hammond more.

[Jon K]

This is so terribly sad. I wasn't even aware that Rick was ill so I am sure tha6t it was a comfort to his family and friends that he was at least allowed the dignity of keeping his illness private. I am totally shocked however. Apart from the fact that he was an incredibly nice guy his contribution to Pink Floyd was massive and certainly bigger than many would think. I remember seeing a documentary on Floyd and Rick commenting that he wished that Syd was just able to walk back into a room and say ok let's do something. I truly hope that him and Syd are reunited now.

R.I.P. Richard Wright

[soundchaser]

I was very sad when I read about this yesterday: Rick Wright has been a very important part of my musical life for a long time. Much has been made about a Pink Floyd reunion and how that will now never happen, but the truth is, it was highly unlikely and indeed, David Gilmour made it very clear in this months Mojo that it wasn‘t going to happen. But, Wright had been an important part of Gilmour’s band for the On An Island tour and really, with the two true musicians and vocalists of Pink Floyd playing together, this was as close as we were going to get to the real thing. I was watching the extras DVD of Remember That Night a couple of weeks ago and it was nice to see that Wright was on sparkling form and seemed to have conquered his demons. It’s also nice that we did have a Pink Floyd reunion of sorts with the Live 8 performance and although it seems Waters wanted to make a go of it afterwards, Gilmour wasn’t interested in opening up old wounds. Rick Wright made a huge contribution to Pink Floyd though his understated keyboard skills, his talent as a songwriter and also for his remarkable, quintessential English voice that blended so well in harmonies with Gilmour. R.I.P Rick…and thanks.

[harvey k-tel]

[C]

Indeed - very sad

(I've only got just over 9 years to go....)


.

[Quaco]

My favorite video ever! (Well, all seven of the Belgian videos from that day.)

[Charlie O.]

[youtube]HSurg2GGvw0&feature=related[/youtube]

David Gilmour and band doing "Remember A Day" on Later with Jools Holland.

[Balboa]

[youtube]HSurg2GGvw0&feature=related[/youtube]

David Gilmour and band doing "Remember A Day" on Later with Jools Holland.

Why does he wait until people are dead to play these things. Surely one less 'Comfortably Numb' or 'Wish you Were Here'.........

I found it incredibly moving.

[Charlie O.]

It's a moving song. His slide playing is strangely unimaginative here, though.

And I wish the drums weren't so high in the mix, but I suppose I'm just being old-fashioned.

[Quaco]

It's a moving song. His slide playing is strangely unimaginative here, though.

Sounds like he's trying to imitate Syd's more primitive approach, as you hear on the record.

[Charlie O.]

It's a moving song. His slide playing is strangely unimaginative here, though.

Sounds like he's trying to imitate Syd's more primitive approach, as you hear on the record.

It sounds to me like he's trying to "clean up" the primitiveness of Syd's approach - make it straighter. Indeed, it almost sounds like he's afraid he'll miss the note! - as preposterous as that may seem.

[The Slider]

Wikpedia article:

While not credited as a singer on The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, he sang lead on Barrett-penned songs like "Astronomy Domine" and "Matilda Mother"

Matilda Mother, sure.
But Astronomy Domine?
Is that him? Surely not on the original - for sure on Ummmaguma but not on Piper

[quartzcity]

Wikpedia article:

While not credited as a singer on The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, he sang lead on Barrett-penned songs like "Astronomy Domine" and "Matilda Mother"

Matilda Mother, sure.
But Astronomy Domine?
Is that him? Surely not on the original - for sure on Ummmaguma but not on Piper

I don't have my 33 1/3 Piper... book handy to confirm, but I'm certain that it's Barrett and Wright together on lead vocals (and Peter Jenner on the megaphone)

[The Slider]

I'm sure he is in there, but a co-lead is not a lead.
The same article mentions Chapter 24 as such - and Matilda Mother is a proper lead.

I guess it is just another example of wikipitis.

I was just making a compilation of Wright's more notable Floyd moments, that's all.
I ended up using the Pulse version which is more Wright-heavy than the Ummagumma take (and in much better sound quality too).

[Quaco]

Correct -- it's a Barrett-Wright co-lead on "Astronomy Domine", just as it is a Gilmour-Wright co-lead on "Echoes". Not a real lead vocal, but not just backing vocals either.

The Slider: On your compilation, don't forget "Riot Scene" (aka "The Violent Sequence") and the various love scenes, which were largely Wright's playing, all from Zabriskie Point.

And "Absolutely Curtains"!

[The Slider]

only 79.59 on a cd-r, so it is:

Remember A Day
Astronomy Domine (live - Pulse)
Stay
See Saw
I Would Be So Nice
Matilda Mother (the alt version on the recent Piper reissue)
Burning Bridges
Echoes
Us and Them / Any Colour You Like
Paintbox
Summer 68
Wearing the Inside Out

Of course there is more I would have liked to include (Time / Great Gig and the instrumentals) but there is only so much one can fit onto a disc.

[Charlie O.]

only 79.59 on a cd-r

An outrageous price for a cd-r of stuff I already have! I won't pay it!





Oh, alright *(sigh)*. Do you accept PayPal?

Being a fan is such a bitch sometimes.

[Snarfyguy]

only 79.59 on a cd-r

An outrageous price for a cd-r of stuff I already have! I won't pay it!





Oh, alright *(sigh)*. Do you accept PayPal?

Being a fan is such a bitch sometimes.

I can get you twenty percent off what he's asking for.