Nov 9 & 10 - The Other Side Of The Moon *Best of EP*

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I have to admit, I really do love this set, although I was a bit disappointed that the original show never generated any discussion. Here are two great concerts and one great transfer of the MFSL version of Dark Side (supposedly the best version so far).

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This week will be a bit different than the usual, as we'll actually cover some album history. All 4 selections this week are in direct relation to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, which turns 30 on March 24.

I. Bowl De Luna (Pink Floyd) 9/22/72

First up is an early version of the album (originally titled Eclipse: A Piece For Assorted Lunatics), played live at the Hollywood Bowl on 9/22/72. Many of the songs are noticeably different, giving you a good idea of the development the band went through before recording the album. The best examples of the different styling are On The Run and Great Gig in the Sky. Both are more groove oriented, without their respectively signature electronics and soaring vocals.

1. Intro
2. Breathe
3. The Travel Sequence (On The Run)
4. Time
5. Home Again
6. The Great Gig In The Sky
7. Money
8. Us and Them
9. Any Colour You Like
10. Brain Damage
11. Eclipse

II. Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd) 1973

The album itself is one of the more oblique concept albums in progressive rock. The songs are easily passable in meaning without the central concept of madness, whether it is created by Money, Religion, Travel, War, Business, etc. . . . This makes it both an easy concept to understand but hard to initially get.

The Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs release of Dark Side of the Moon on CD is still considered by some to be the best digital pressing available. You'll get to check this out (albeit compressed), as I've got a copy ready to go.

1. Speak To Me
2. Breathe
3. On The Run
4. Time
5. The Great Gig In The Sky
6. Money
7. Us and Them
8. Any Colour You Like
9. Brain Damage
10. Eclipse

III. Black Holes In The Sky (Pink Floyd) 11/15/74

Our third and final incarnation of Dark Side of the Moon is from Empire Pool, Wembley on 11/15/74. This is another great live version with backup singers and Dick Parry guesting on the sax. The version of On The Run here is one of the better ones I’ve ever heard from Pink Floyd. It has all the passion and structure of the original, while operating almost on its own.

1. Speak To Me
2. Breathe
3. On The Run
4. Time
5. The Great Gig In The Sky
6. Money
7. Us and Them
8. Any Colour You Like
9. Brain Damage
10. Eclipse

IV. Music From The Body (Roger Waters & Ron Geesin) 1970

Finally, we'll take a look at the Roger Waters and Ron Geesin soundtrack to The Body. This was released in 1970 and includes an early version of Breathe, as well as the song Give Birth To A Smile that supposedly features all of Pink Floyd. Other than it’s difficult connection to Dark Side, this is a great album on its own. Although it took me a few listens to really “get into it”, the music here is well worth it. With a folky-concrete mix, this stands alone as one of the oddest albums I’ve ever listened to. Although, the stringed work here is really great. I love the simple acoustic rhythm work here. Like other final albums of the evening, this one is a bit harder to approach but worth every minute of your time for its sheer originality.

1. Our Song
2. Sea Shell and Stone
3. Red Stuff Writhe
4. A Gentle Breeze Blew Through Life
5. Lick Your Partners
6. Bridge Passage For Three Plastic Teeth
7. Chain of Life
8. The Womb Bit
9. Embryo Thought
10. March Past of the Embryos
11. More than Seven Dwarfs in Penis-Land
12. Dance of the Red Corpuscles
13. Body Transport
14. Hand Dance-Full Evening Dress
15. Breathe
16. Old Folks Ascension
17. Bed-Time-Dream-Chime
18. Piddle in Perspex
19. Embryonic Womb-Walk
20. Mrs. Throat Goes Walking
21. Sea Shell and Stone
22. Give Birth to a Smile

[PlayingTheFool]

This is a show I will not miss no matter what!!

Pink Floyd is my favorite band & this show will be the best! Thanks for chooseing this one Tommy!

This will be really interesting.

I remember when Floyd premiered Dark Side... at the London Planetarium. That heartbeat intro was really mind blowing then the scream straight into Breathe. Wow!!!!

Really looking forward to this one.

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KW, was this the album premiere where they had cutouts on stage and just played the album for the audience?

A school friend of mine's dad worked for EMI and he managed to get us in there. He knew that I liked the Floyd and I've been grateful to him ever since.

A decision was taken not to do a quadrophonic mix even though it was just beginning to appear on the domestic market. EMI went ahead anyway and commisioned a quad mix from then-engineer Alan Parsons, which the record company played at a press conference held at the Planetarium to launch the album. The group did not approve and boycotted the event, their place being taken by life-size cardboard cut-outs.

The only other people I know who've had cut outs or dummies on stage were Status Quo after they fell out with their Bass player.

But that was for a TV broadcast.

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Originally posted by Keith Waye
A school friend of mine's dad worked for EMI and he managed to get us in there. He knew that I liked the Floyd and I've been grateful to him ever since.

Very cool KW. I'd read about this before in Saucerful of Secrets but hadn't actually talked to someone who was there. Compared to the new 5.1 mix, I like the original quad sooo much better. Luckily, I have them all (AHM, DSoTM, & WYWH) in DTS (and DSoTM & WYWH in DD).

Tommy

[Avian]

I recently got to blast the 5.1 mix at around 30,000 watts in our planetarium (60' dome) a few weeks ago, while doing a new Pink Floyd Cosmic Light Show, which featured huge all dome video computer graphics.

People freaked out - they loved the show, and loved the mix

Avian

Set it up again......

If I could get there I would.

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Originally posted by Avian
People freaked out - they loved the show, and loved the mix

at the planeh---arium?

[Rick and Roll]

is about as weird a selection there is.

I've got to go out to a hospital appointment and I'm going to miss the rest of the show. Great Gig in the Sky from the Hollywood Bowl gig is playing just as I'm logging off.

Any chance of another airing some time?????

Hope so cos I've been looking forward to this one.

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I'm sure it will rear its head again sometime in the future.