December 31, 2005
Hootenanny!
The last day of 2005 is finally upon us and, as the last day of the year just wouldn’t be complete without Jools Holland shouting “Hootenanny!” in that unique style of his, there could only be one choice for Polly's Picture of the Day.
Jools Holland (seen sitting on the right, in case you don’t know), is undeniably one of the world’s finest boogie-woogie pianists. He started his career with Squeeze and now tours almost constantly with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, as well as having what is widely considered to be the most diverse live music show on British television, 'Later... With Jools Holland', on which David has appeared several times. Jools received the MBE from the Queen in 2003 - the same time as David received the CBE. You can find more about Jools by visiting his website at www.joolsholland.com
As it's time for looking back with fondness - and perhaps a little regret - at the year that's passed and thinking ahead with great optimism about the year to come, why not let us know your hopes and dreams for 2006 - and perhaps your New Year's Resolutions as well? World peace, an end to poverty, Chelsea to slip up in the Premiership... To give up smoking, to be more courteous on the nation's highways and byways, to stop pestering David to re-unite Pink Floyd... Whatever it is, let us know. But no more shameless plugging of your websites in your messages, please! There's space for that in the URL field, so please put the address to your site in there and people can more easily visit it (merely by clicking on your highlighted name).
2006 promises to be a very good year for fans of David and Pink Floyd, with the release of 'On An Island', a tour of Europe and North America and also the 'P.U.L.S.E.' concert from 1994 coming out on DVD.
We look forward to hearing about your hopes for the New Year and thank you all once again for helping to make this blog a success with your varied, but almost always interesting, comments. You can expect more exclusive news and pictures in the New Year, so keep checking on us as David's new album and tour draws nearer.
From everyone at www.davidgilmour.com we wish you a happy and healthy New Year.
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Posted by Features Editor at 01:28 PM | Comments (30)
December 30, 2005
David with Lucy Wakeford
There was such an amazing response to yesterday’s blog. Thank you very much to everyone who wrote in with their five (ish) favourite songs. We really enjoyed reading through them... even if it took what seemed like a lifetime to get through them all!
However, please remember that we take an interest in fan suggestions, David doesn't do requests. So please remember to keep the tone polite when you write. Unfortunately we had to delete several messages yesterday and we don't want to have to do that again. David does pay us a visit when he has the time to spare, as do the many influential people around him who are vital to the new album and tour, so anything over-the-mark will swiftly be deleted and, if need be, you will be prevented from posting again. Needless to say, we don't want to have to do that, but we do hope you can appreciate that David might well read your comments, so you should keep your language and tone appropriate. (Don't nag the guy, please!)
Besides, David is still incredibly busy finalising the album and planning the tour. He may or may not take your preferences into consideration. He has his own thoughts about which songs will best suit the tour and all the repeated, capitalised pleas in the world will not be enough to change his mind - no matter how many exclamation marks you include! It was just for fun, and we hope you enjoyed, so thanks again to one and all for having your say. There were some great ideas in there - and some very far-fetched ones, too! - so we hope you enjoyed reading what other fans would like from David's tour as much as we did. Perhaps we'll let you know what David has in mind as far as a setlist goes a little closer to the tour.
Just to let you know of another musician who has been involved in ‘On An Island’…
Today’s picture is of Lucy Wakeford, a much sought-after harpist who has performed at major venues and festivals throughout Europe. She regularly gives both solo and orchestral performances, joining with many of the leading orchestras, including the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia. She became the youngest ever member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, where she was Principal Harp for five years.
Lucy is one of many musicians who has been working with David on his new album. You can find out about more, and see pictures of them hard at work in the studio (thanks to Polly's camera), here.
Thanks again for the phenomenal response. The passion and enthusiasm of Floyd fans never ceases to amaze.
Finally, to all who have sent in questions for David: They have been received, even though they are not shown here, and they might just be answered shortly. Answers will be on the FAQs page. Keep your questions coming in. The best ones will be published. The more interesting and witty you make them, the more chance of an answer. Good luck.
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Posted by Features Editor at 02:15 PM | Comments (39)
December 29, 2005
Five favourites
We hope you're making the most of what's left of 2005... and what's left of the Christmas chocolates!
The latest round of comments has been as good as ever, so do keep them coming in. If your message has not been posted, or has been edited ever so slightly, then it's either because the answer is already contained in these blog entries or over on David's site or because you didn't say anything other than "Come to my country, pleeeease!" We have posted several such messages in the interest of fairness, but we know where demand to see David is great so please, no more! Unless you actually have something to say that will be of interest to David and his fans, then I'm afraid that those messages will no longer be added.
Lastly, if there's no confirmed show for your town or city announced on the Live Dates page, then there's no way you can get tickets for it... because there is no show! You can only see David playing at the shows we have announced.
OK, so for a change, we thought it would be nice to hear which are your favourite David Gilmour/Pink Floyd songs. You probably have your own ideas as to how David's 2006 tour will pan out, bearing in mind the musicians you have seen working with him in the studio - thanks to Polly's photographs - and by the types of venue David will be performing at. You might be lucky and find that David ends up playing one of your favourite songs in addition to the new material from 'On An Island'.
We cannot stress enough, though, that this is just for fun and to create some discussion amongst fans curious as to which songs David might choose to perform. Don't take it too seriously! That's not to say that David won't be interested in your selections, so get your thinking caps on and let us know which tracks you think would sound great in the live environment that David and his band will soon be creating across Europe and North America.
Please limit your comments to just five songs per post, although you can, of course, post as many times as you like with a different five songs each time. It just keeps things looking neater and makes it easier for others to read if everyone avoids lengthy lists that take an age to trawl through.
Another of Polly's pictures tomorrow.
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Posted by Features Editor at 01:17 PM | Comments (379)
December 28, 2005
Chris Stainton
Thank you to everyone for your comments about yesterday‘s blog entry. We appreciate you taking the time to share your views with others and understand that it takes all sorts to make the world go around. It’s a good thing that we have different opinions, because the world would be an incredibly boring place if we didn’t disagree from time to time!
That said, there has been no disagreement whatsoever on the issue of ticket sales on eBay - proof, if it were needed, that the vast majority of David's fans are honest, kind-hearted people... even if it is boring to be in complete agreement!
But seriously, we are delighted to hear that so many of you have promised to donate any profits made from your eBay auctions to charity, particularly to Crisis. Thank you for being so reasonable, not to mention generous. We hope you stay true to your word and that many others will follow your lead.
As David cares passionately for Crisis and the crucial work they do, it would be fitting if you could donate profits from the sale of his tickets to them. Pledging £50, for example, could provide shelter to a homeless person for one month during the cold winter months. £100 could help to re-house someone through the Crisis SmartMove scheme. Clearly, your donation would make a real difference.
To those of you who are considering bidding large amounts to win a ticket to see David next year, then please think carefully before parting with your money. As hard as it may be, please try to remain patient and positive. There is a very good chance that more tickets will become available shortly, and then you can pay a fair price for your ticket instead of paying an obscene amount to someone who has no connection to David or to the many people who are working with him on his 'On An Island' project.
The sad fact is that Pink Floyd has always been one of the world’s most bootlegged bands. David has spent close to 40 years in the music business and knows all too well how sections of “fans” operate in order to profit.
Today’s exclusive photograph is of Chris Stainton, an accomplished keyboardist who also plays organ and piano, although he rather surprisingly started his music career as a bass player. He has recently been playing with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, but he has also performed with Eric Clapton, The Who, Joe Cocker and Roger Waters.
As you can see, David has assembled some fine creative talents to work on his new album and, thanks to Polly, we have some fantastic photographs of the recording sessions to share with you. You can see a new one each day, so visit tomorrow for another.
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Posted by Features Editor at 12:20 PM | Comments (24)
December 27, 2005
Tickets for sale on eBay
We have noticed that many so-called “fans” are selling tickets to David’s shows on eBay - and making considerable sums of money by doing so. Now, some might say that the people who do this are shameless profiteers who ought to be deeply embarrassed by their greedy actions. If sellers choose to donate anything over and above the ticket price to charity, however, that's one thing. Keeping the profit for themselves is another thing entirely and is a source of annoyance to the many hard-working people who are making a great effort to put this tour on the road.
Although one legitimate ticket-seller’s ticket allocation might very well be "sold out", this doesn’t necessarily mean that the concert itself is a sell out. A limited quantity of tickets to some venues will become available in the New Year, which means you still have a chance to purchase tickets at a fair price. You can keep contacting Ticketmaster or your preferred venue (not us!) and ask if there have been any ticket returns right up until the day of the show. Details on the Live Dates page.
Furthermore, all tickets are numbered, so we know which ticket belongs to which person. In 2006, it may well be that arrangements are made that make it very much harder to sell tickets on eBay, so our advice is not to bid unless you are prepared to risk being refused entry to the show. It's your choice.
We have received a great number of messages from fans expressing their sadness at having missed out on tickets. It is their disappointment and desperation to attend that eBay sellers are cashing in on.
People who feel strongly about this issue occasionally make their feelings clear in a number of ways - although we could not possibly condone anything that might disrupt eBay’s business operations. Fans might contact the sellers and tell them how they feel, or place unrealistically high bids, to let them know that they strongly disapprove of the sellers’ actions.
If you care about David, his music and this tour, then we sincerely hope that you will not entertain the idea of selling your spare tickets to make personal profit. Likewise, we hope that you will not line someone else’s pockets by paying ridiculous amounts of money for tickets.
If you are selling tickets on eBay, then you might like to know some of David's preferred charities:
Crisis - Fighting for hope for homeless people. David is proud to be the charity's vice president.
Amnesty - The worldwide independent movement that campaigns for internationally-recognised human rights.
Oxfam - Oxfam works in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice.
The Environmental Investigation Agency - An international campaigning organisation committed to investigating and exposing environmental crime.
Today’s exclusive photograph is of Robert Wyatt. There'll be another of Polly's fine photos tomorrow.
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Posted by Features Editor at 12:08 PM | Comments (49)
December 26, 2005
Phil Manzanera
OK, so hands up who is hung-over or, at least, uncomfortably bloated from scoffing so much yesterday! Whether you had too much to eat or drink, we hope it was worth it and that you enjoyed your day with your loved ones around you.
It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since the Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people across thirteen countries. Do take a moment to remember them on this the first anniversary of the disaster. Tens of thousands of survivors are still living in tents whilst they await construction of some 80,000 new houses.
Many thanks to everyone who has made a donation to Crisis - at David's request - in exchange for viewing the 'Island Jam' video. The people who will benefit from the money raised are very grateful to you all, as is everyone involved in www.davidgilmour.com - thank you so much for caring.
Incidentally, you only have until midnight (UK time) tomorrow to see David's exclusive 'Island Jam' - if you haven't already seen it - so be sure to visit www.davidgilmour.com to catch a rare glimpse of David in the studio and to hear some superb blues guitar-playing. David is jamming with Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens (on keyboards), Guy Pratt (on bass), and Ged Lynch (on drums). Don't miss that.
Another of Polly’s fine photographs, this time of Phil Manzanera, the well-known and critically-acclaimed musician/producer who played lead guitar for Roxy Music. Prolific as a solo artist, he has - unbelievably - released almost an album each year since 1975’s 'Diamond Head'. He co-wrote 'One Slip' from Pink Floyd’s 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason' album and David contributed to his 2004 album, '6PM', on the tracks 'Always You' and 'Sacred Days'.
Biographies on all of the artists involved in 'On An island' coming soon. To find out more about Phil, visit his website at www.manzanera.com
Enjoy Boxing Day, whatever you plan to get up to.
Another of Polly's photographs coming tomorrow.
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Posted by Features Editor at 01:37 PM | Comments (13)
December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas!
We hope you’re having a fabulous Christmas Day so far and appreciate you taking time out to visit. Hopefully the fine shot of David with David Crosby and Graham Nash - taken by Polly aboard David’s Astoria houseboat studio - made it worth your while.
The Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young) legends, who also founded The Byrds and Hollies respectively, sing on the title track from ‘On An Island’. You can find out more about them from their websites - http://www.crosbycpr.com and http://www.grahamnash.com
You’re still writing in with your comments, which is great, but please remember that questions are for the FAQs section and will not be posted here. If you’ve sent in a question, then don’t worry, we have received it and there’s no need to send it in again.
Questions about the likelihood of David visiting your town or country will not be posted, either. The tour dates have been confirmed and, if there are to be any changes made, then you will be informed. Just keep visiting www.davidgilmour.com where all the latest news will be posted.
Your comments are all very welcome, and everyone who is behind the tour fully appreciates that fans from all over the world would love to welcome David to their homelands. Yet we reserve the right to refuse to post certain messages, and we are receiving a great many requests for David to visit South America and Australia at the moment. These requests will not be posted.
David is still hard at work finalising 'On An Island' and Christmas is about families first and foremost. With the greatest respect, please remember that David has a young family and that is the most important thing to him. Repeatedly asking him to visit your country will not help your cause! No one likes to be nagged, and several of the messages received have bordered on the disrespectful. To be frank, David does not have to tour at all! According to his current schedule, he will be visiting seven countries and 13 cities over a period of three months. That's not bad!
It is, of course, impossible to please everyone and great consideration has gone into planning the tour to ensure that as many of the people who want to see David do get the opportunity to see him. With all the will in the world, David simply cannot visit the hometown of each and every fan who wishes to see him play. Please be a bit more reasonable. We do understand your disappointment and have taken heed of your requests, but please be fair.
Another of Polly's exclusive pictures coming tomorrow.
Until then, from everyone on the site, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Posted by Features Editor at 01:11 PM | Comments (23)
December 24, 2005
Guy Pratt taking a break
We hope you liked David’s early Christmas present to his fans and that it got you positively salivating at the prospect of some new material.
We also hope that, in exchange, you could find it in your heart to make a contribution to Crisis, the homelessness charity for which David is vice president.
As you perhaps already know, David has been a big supporter of the valuable work carried out by Crisis for some time, most notably by supporting their Urban Village project to build affordable housing for key workers, such as nurses and teachers.
So, at this festive time of year, why not make a kind gesture, no matter how small, towards people for whom Christmas is not about family, warmth, laughter or chestnuts roasting by the fireside? If you do, please say that you came from davidgilmour.com.
There have been some terrific comments coming in, so many thanks to everyone who has posted. Please be aware that your messages are checked before being added to the site, so don’t be alarmed if they don’t appear instantly - this is perfectly normal.
Also, queries about ticket sales will not be posted. The Live Dates page gives clear instructions on how to order tickets - we can‘t help you any more than that, unfortunately.
It’s been very interesting reading what you are hoping for from both album and tour. More will be revealed in time, so have patience and all will be made known.
Today’s exclusive photograph, of bassist Guy Pratt, was taken by Polly recently at a recording session at the legendary Abbey Road studios.
Guy Pratt has been working with David since Pink Floyd’s 1987 album, 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason' and has toured the world with Pink Floyd twice. A Grammy award-winning bassist, he has also toured with the likes of Michael Jackson, Gary Moore, Roxy Music and Madonna, as well as working on albums by Tom Jones, Iggy Pop and Elton John. He has written and produced material for a variety of artists, as well as writing and producing TV and theatre scores.
Why not check out his website? www.guypratt.com
Another exclusive picture tomorrow.
Until then, have a great Christmas Eve... and go easy on the chocolates!
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Posted by Features Editor at 01:46 PM | Comments (27)
December 23, 2005
Smile!
As the people who work their buns off keeping the site up to date are about to take a very well-deserved Christmas break, this is the place to visit for the latest updates on David and his 'On An Island' album, his third solo release and the first since 1984's 'About Face'.
First and foremost, tickets in North America are selling like hot cakes - as they have been right across Europe, with several venues already sold out. If you have tickets to any of the shows, then you're in for a treat. We'll be revealing exactly who will be on stage with David as the weeks roll by, and a few other surprises as well, so keep visiting for news as it breaks.
Polly, David's wife, has been taking plenty of splendid photographs of the recording sessions, so you can expect a new picture each day, along with news of how the album's coming along, who is playing on the album and who will be accompanying David on tour, as well as several other interesting things as and when the moment's right.
But have no doubt, this is where the news is hot! There might even be an early Christmas present on the site later today if you keep your eyes peeled.
You might recognise the chap in today’s exclusive photo… There’ll be another tomorrow.
But lastly, by the look of your comments so far, it seems that many of you are automatically assuming that Ged Lynch will be playing on each track and will be touring, too. Assume nothing! You’ll have to wait and see how great Ged’s involvement in this project actually is. There are many more musicians lending a hand in the studio and all will be featured here in due course. Keep the comments coming, but some of you are jumping to conclusions!
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Posted by Features Editor at 11:39 AM | Comments (83)
December 22, 2005
Ged Lynch at Abbey Road
This is a new section of David's official website which is designed for fans to see how David's new 'On An Island' album is progressing. It aims to be a place where fans can come and check up on the latest news, see exclusive pictures from recording sessions and such like.
For now, here's a picture (taken by David's wife, Polly) of drummer Ged Lynch at Abbey Road.
More exclusive photographs coming soon, so be sure to check back often.
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Posted by Features Editor at 11:41 AM | Comments (81)