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Luck and Strange

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Luck and Strange
Studio album by
David Gilmour
Released6 September 2024 (2024-09-06)
StudioMedina Studio
Salvation Studios
British Grove Studios
Angel Studios
Astoria Studio
Iguana Studios
Length43:21
LabelSony
Producer
David Gilmour chronology
Live at Pompeii
(2017) 		Luck and Strange
(2024)
Singles from Luck and Strange
  1. "The Piper's Call"
    Released: 25 April 2024
  2. "Between Two Points"
    Released: 17 June 2024
  3. "Dark and Velvet Nights"
    Released: 9 August 2024
  4. "Luck and Strange"
    Released: 12 September 2024
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic83/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Financial Times[2]
The Independent[3]
The Irish Times[4]
Mojo[5]
Rolling Stone[6]

Luck and Strange is the fifth studio album by the English guitarist and songwriter David Gilmour, released on 6 September 2024 by Sony Music. It was produced by Gilmour and Charlie Andrew. Gilmour said Andrew challenged him musically and was not intimidated by his past work with Pink Floyd.

Gilmour's wife, novelist Polly Samson, wrote most of the lyrics, which she said addressed mortality and ageing. Their children contributed additional vocals, lyrics and instrumentation. The song "Luck and Strange" features keyboards recorded in 2007 by the Pink Floyd keyboardist, Richard Wright, who died in 2008. The album also features a cover of the 1999 song "Between Two Points," originally by the British band the Montgolfier Brothers.

Luck and Strange became Gilmour's third number-one album on the UK Albums Chart. "The Piper's Call," "Between Two Points," "Dark and Velvet Nights" and "Luck and Strange" were released as singles. Gilmour toured in support of the album in late 2024.

Recording

[edit]

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Gilmour and his family performed music on livestreams. Gilmour said this inspired him to "discard some of the past that I'd felt bound to" and explore new musical ideas.[7] He recorded Luck and Strange over five months at his Medina Studio in Hove and at Mark Knopfler's British Grove Studios in London, with the producer Charlie Andrew.[8] Gilmour said Andrew challenged him and made him approach his songs in new ways, challenging his habits.[9] He said: "He has a wonderful lack of knowledge or respect for this past of mine. He's very direct and not in any way overawed, and I love that. That is just so good for me because the last thing you want is people just deferring to you."[7] Andrew said he was not "trying to regurgitate another Pink Floyd album, or one of [Gilmour's] solo albums".[9]

The album features musicians including Guy Pratt and Tom Herbert on bass, Adam Betts, Steve Gadd and Steve DiStanislao on drums, and Rob Gentry and Roger Eno on keyboards.[7] The strings and choir were arranged by Will Gardner and recorded in Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire.[7][9] Gilmour's wife, the writer Polly Samson, wrote the majority of the lyrics, which she said reflected themes of mortality and ageing.[7] She adapted the lyrics for "Dark and Velvet Nights" from a poem she composed for their wedding anniversary.[10] Their son Gabriel contributed backing vocals, and their son Charlie contributed some lyrics to "Scattered".[7]

"Luck and Strange" features keyboards recorded by the Pink Floyd keyboardist, Richard Wright, during a jam in Gilmour's barn in 2007. Wright died in 2008.[7] Gilmour built on the recording to create the final song, saying it "started developing a depth that I'd forgotten about. The playing on it is unmistakably Richard."[11] The original 14-minute jam was included as a bonus track on the digital versions of the album.[12] "The Piper's Call" was likened to early Pink Floyd.[13]

Luck and Strange features a cover of the 1999 song "Between Two Points", originally by the British band the Montgolfier Brothers.[14] Gilmour said he had been a fan of the song since its release and was surprised that it had not been a hit.[14] His daughter, Romany, performed harp and vocals.[7] Mark Tranmer of the Montgolfier Brothers said he enjoyed Gilmour's version, saying "it diverges from the original but keeps the spirit".[14] Gilmour felt Luck and Strange was his best work since the 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon by his band Pink Floyd.[15]

Release

[edit]

Gilmour announced Luck and Strange on 24 April 2024.[7] It was released on 6 September,[3] and became Gilmour's third album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart.[16] The first single, "The Piper's Call", was released on 25 April.[7] "Between Two Points", was released on 17 June.[14] "Dark and Velvet Nights" was released on 9 August.[10] The album cover was photographed and designed by Anton Corbijn.[17] The day before the album was released, Gilmour published lyrics in local newspapers, such as the Cambridge News, and encouraged fans to find them.[18] The digital edition of the album includes the song "Yes, I Have Ghosts", featuring Romany Gilmour; it was originally recorded for the audiobook edition of Samson's 2020 novel A Theatre For Dreamers.[19]

Tour

[edit]
Main article: Luck and Strange Tour

Gilmour began a tour for Luck and Strange on 27 September 2024, with performances in Rome, London, Los Angeles and New York City.[20] Gilmour also performed two rehearsal concerts at Brighton Centre in Brighton.[21] His touring band includes Pratt on bass, Gentry and Greg Phillinganes on keyboards, Adam Betts on drums, Ben Worsley on guitar, and backing vocals from Louise Marshall, Charley Webb, and Hattie Webb; and his daughter Romany, who sang "Between Two Points" and backing vocals.[20][22] Gilmour said he plans to record another album with the band soon after completing the tour.[15]

Critical reception

[edit]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Select year-end rankings for Luck and Strange
Publication/critic Accolade Rank Ref.
MOJO 75 Best Albums of 2024 18 [23]
Uncut 80 Best Albums of 2024 48 [24]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Polly Samson except where noted; all music is composed by David Gilmour except where noted

Luck and Strange standard edition track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Black Cat"Instrumental 1:16
2."Luck and Strange"  6:54
3."The Piper's Call"  5:15
4."A Single Spark"  6:02
5."Vita Brevis"Instrumental 0:46
6."Between Two Points" (with Romany Gilmour)Roger QuigleyMark Tranmer5:46
7."Dark and Velvet Nights"  4:41
8."Sings"  5:15
9."Scattered"
  • D. Gilmour
  • Charlie Gilmour
  • Samson
 7:26
Total length:43:21

Personnel

[edit]
  • David Gilmour – guitar (all), piano (1), lead vocals (2–4, 7–9), ukulele (3), Höfner bass (3, 8), Farfisa organ (3), backing vocals (2-4, 6–8), keyboards (6, 9), Hammond organ (7), bass guitar (9), Leslie piano (9), Cümbüş (8)
  • Richard Wright – electric piano, Hammond organ (2)
  • Romany Gilmour – lead vocals (6), backing vocals (2–4, 6–8), harp (5–6)
  • Gabriel Gilmour – backing vocals (3, 4)
  • Rob Gentry – synthesiser (1–4, 6, 9), keyboards (3, 6, 8–9), piano (4, 6, 8–9), organ (7)
  • Roger Eno – piano (1, 9)
  • Guy Pratt – bass guitar (2, 3, 6–9)
  • Adam Betts – percussion (2, 4, 6–9), djembe (3), drums (4)
  • Steve DiStanislao – drums (2)
  • Steve Gadd – drums, percussion (3, 6–9)
  • Tom Herbert – bass guitar (4)
  • Edmund Aldhous – organist and director of music at Ely Cathedral
  • Ely Cathedral Choir – vocals
  • Angel Studios Choir – vocals
  • Angel Studios Orchestra

Technical

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[56] Silver 60,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Luck and Strange by David Gilmour Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  2. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (5 September 2024). "David Gilmour: Luck and Strange — age and mortality on rare album from Pink Floyd guitarist". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Helen (6 September 2024). "David Gilmour review, Luck and Strange: Graceful ruminations on love and mortality". The Independent. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  4. ^ Clayton-Lea, Tony (5 September 2024). "David Gilmour: Luck and Strange – Pink Floyd guitarist's fifth solo album is his best yet". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  5. ^ Doyle, Tom (2 September 2024). "David Gilmour Luck And Strange Review: Pink Floyd guitarist scales new musical peaks". Mojo. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  6. ^ Grow, Kory (5 September 2024). "David Gilmour's 'Luck and Strange' Is a Sometimes Beautiful, Sometimes Chilly Dark Night of the Soul". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Grow, Kory (24 April 2024). "David Gilmour to release new album, Luck and Strange, this fall". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  8. ^ Gatti, Nino (27 August 2024). ""Luck and strange", Gilmour tra passato e futuro". Rockol (in Italian). Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Paphides, Pete (7 May 2024). "David Gilmour interviewed: 'There was no pious false respect'". Uncut. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b Ahmed, Aneesa (9 August 2024). "David Gilmour releases new track 'Dark And Velvet Nights'". NME. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  11. ^ Greene, Andy (26 August 2024). "David Gilmour on His New LP 'Luck and Strange,' and Plans for Upcoming Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  12. ^ Mind, The Prog (25 September 2024). "David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". The PROG Mind. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  13. ^ McCormick, Neil; Platt, Poppie (6 September 2024). "With Luck and Strange, David Gilmour pays his dues to Pink Floyd's imperial past". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d Martoccio, Angie (17 June 2024). "David Gilmour taps his daughter Romany for 'Between Two Points'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b Singh, Surej (6 August 2024). "David Gilmour says new solo album is the 'best' music he's made since The Dark Side of the Moon". NME. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  16. ^ Brannigan, Paul (13 September 2024). "'I'd like to thank everyone who's bought my new album and helped make it number 1.' David Gilmour celebrates his third solo UK number one album with Luck and Strange". Classic Rock. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  17. ^ "The new album Luck and Strange out 6th September". davidgilmour.com. 24 April 2024. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Cambridge paper holds Gilmour's lyrics in its folds". BBC News. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  19. ^ Grow, Kory (3 July 2020). "Hear David Gilmour's First New Song in Five Years 'Yes, I Have Ghosts'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  20. ^ a b Grow, Kory (13 May 2024). "David Gilmour sets first US tour dates in eight years". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ^ Fu, Eddie (23 September 2024). "David Gilmour previews solo tour with dress rehearsal shows in Brighton". Consequence. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  22. ^ Greene, Andy (26 August 2024). "David Gilmour on his new LP Luck and Strange, and plans for upcoming tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  23. ^ "MOJO's 75 Best Albums of 2024". albumoftheyear.org. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  24. ^ Pearis, Bill (8 November 2024). "List Season comes early with Uncut's Top 80 Albums of 2024". brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Australiancharts.com – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  26. ^ "Austriancharts.at – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  27. ^ "Ultratop.be – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Ultratop.be – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  29. ^ "David Gilmour Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  30. ^ "Lista prodaje 38. tjedan 2024" (in Croatian). HDU. 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  31. ^ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 37.Týden 2024 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  32. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  33. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  34. ^ "David Gilmour: Luck and Strange" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Top Albums (Week 37, 2024)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2024. 37. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  39. ^ "Italiancharts.com – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2024-09-16/p/3" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  41. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of September 11, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  42. ^ "Charts.nz – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  43. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  44. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista sprzedaży - albumy" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Note: Change the date to 06.09.2024–12.09.2024 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  45. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  46. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  47. ^ "Top 100 Slovak Albums". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  48. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  49. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  50. ^ "Swisscharts.com – David Gilmour – Luck and Strange". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  51. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  52. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  53. ^ "David Gilmour Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  54. ^ "David Gilmour Chart History: Top Rock & Alternative Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  55. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  56. ^ "British album certifications – David Gilmour – Luck And Strange". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
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