On an Island

On an Island

by: David Gilmour

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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0828768028025
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: March 07, 2006
Sales Rank: 1318
Studio: Sony

Disc 1:

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Editorial Review:

Album Description:
Japanese Digipak pressing. On An Island is the third David Gilmour solo album and his first studio recording since Pink Floyd's 1994 multi-platinum 'The Division Bell'. From the first moments of the sound collage that begins 'On An Island', you know it's a special experience that not only bears comparison with the best of Pink Floyd, but also confirms their lead guitarist and singer as an outstanding solo artist. Here he reveals a personal vision and a breadth of styles - folk, jazz, orchestral and rock - brought together as a unified piece by his lyrical guitar playing and instantly recognisable voice. On An Island is a collection of songs and instrumentals that had its genus in the critically acclaimed 2002 London Festival Hall concerts. Gilmour has stepped out of his super-group to discover he's still at his peak - and he's rightly pleased. 'It's my best and most personal work,' he says. 'Making it with my musician friends has been a positive experience on so many levels.' EMI. 2006.

Amazon.com:
David Gilmour’s solo career hasn’t exactly been creatively restless; this is but the third album by the Pink Floyd guitarist, and first in 18 years. But that seemingly lackadaisical career ethos hasn’t prevented Gilmour from producing some of his finest work here, an album whose soaring, lyrical guitar lines will be familiar to Floyd fans, yet one also blessed by often surprising nuances and delicate musical textures. Gilmour’s Division Bell collaborator Polly Samson is credited with most of the writing, helping conjure a moody, texturally rich 'island' that’s as much musical as it is personally and lyrically metaphorical. 'Castellorizon,' the impressionistic opening instrumental collage, presages much of what’s to come in subtle ways, with Gilmour’s emotionally-charged guitar lines climbing into realms usually staked out by contemporary Jeff Beck.

Gilmour’s choice of collaborators is equally compelling, from the evocative orchestrations of Polish classical modernist Zbigniew Preisner and expected contributions from Floyd (Richard Wright and proto-Pink mate Rado 'Bob' Klose) to a host of guest turns that span both decades and styles: Georgie Fame, Phil Manzanera, Jools Holland, Caroline Dale and Robert Wyatt. The title track is graced by the stately harmonies of David Crosby and Graham Nash while the instrumental 'Then I Close My Eyes' spins a hypnotic, bayou-meets-boho ethos where Dale’s gentle cello lines meet the melancholy cornet flourishes of Wyatt to challenge the very notions of genre itself. 'This Heaven' finds Gilmour in unexpected R&B territory, weaving playful riffs with ‘60s London scenester Fame’s Hammond organ and finding its lyrical spirituality in simple, personal intimacy, a subtext that wafts through the upbeat airiness of 'The Blue' to the spare 'Smile,' spinning a surprisingly romantic elegy that co! mes satisfyingly full circle on the closing 'Where We Start.' No man may be an island, but Gilmour has nonetheless crafted a rewarding artistic oasis on this, his finest and most gently personal album. -- Jerry McCulley

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- On an Island
David Gilmour is a great guitar player with outstanding vocals, but he has done much better in my opinion.

Rating:

- Gilmour's Best
This is the best solo album from Dave Gilmour to date. Being an avid Floyd fan, i expected a Floyd continuation and was pleasantly surprised by a very mellow Gilmour, who is reflecting on his life and where he is musically today. A fine album with Crosby and Nash contributing to some beautifull three part harmony. Also add Phil Manzanera ( from Roxy Musis), on guitar and you have a beautifull album with lovely melodies.
Buy it!!!

Rating:

- David's worst album
I had very high hopes for this cd when it came out. Not just because I am a huge Pink Floyd fan but I loved David's other two solo albums. This album is a huge disapointment. The songs are boring, bland and lifeless. There is nothing very memorable on here. I heard it maybe two or three times and I just can't get into it. If you want to check out his good work then buy David Gilmour or About Face. Those two albums are great. This one is just forgetable. Looks like he really does need to reunite with Pink Floyd

Rating:

- Gorgeous romantic music from Floyd guitarist
Gilmour-Waters (and to an extent the rest of floyd) are one of rock's great songwriting teams, creating some of the most powerful and trail-blazing music ever recorded. Since the split, Waters" solo work has provided evidence that he was the band's central "brain" & conceptualist with a focus on biting lyrics and almost operatic rock.

If there was ever doubt, this album makes clear that Gilmour, more than any other band member, was Floyd's romantic heart. There is none of the biting lyrics or political commentary that Waters brought to the table here. Rather, this album is filled with gorgeous atmospheric music that goes right to the heart. Gilmour appears mellower, wiser and playing with greater nuance than ever, sometimes sounding like Jeff Beck.

Island is for anyone who likes mellow romantic music and who loved the lush beautiful soundscapes of Floyd's bes work. Download this album, slap on your head phones and prepare to be transported.

My only request to the artist -- pls don't make us wait another decade or two for the next solo album!

Rating:

- Just Dave Being Tasteful As Always
I'm not going to go too much into this album because the previous reviewers have already done a good job on that for the most part, but emphasize more on Dave as a guitarist in general. This album really showcases his talent on that 6-8-12 string wonder instrument that R&R has made a penis extension in modern music courtesy of Chuck Berry.

Dave is not a very eclectic guitarist compared to his progressive-rock contemporaries like Steve Howe, Robert Fripp, Steve Hackett etc. But Dave has an ability to take 1, 2 or 3 notes and make them soar through the stratoshpere with absolute beauty. I've always looked at Dave in the same vein as other guitarists like Robbie Robertson, The Edge and others, as simplistic but getting the most out their melodies with real feeling.

Dave certainly shows his chops here on this album even though the-ever-present Floyd sound is still there. Roger Waters may have transmitted the lyrical messages, but Dave supplied the transmitter with his uncanny ability of melodicism. Keep going Dave!