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Pulse (Pink Floyd album)

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Allmusic[1]
Rolling Stone[2]

Pulse (stylised as p·u·l·s·e) is a live double album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released through EMI Records on 29 May 1995[3] in the United Kingdom and by Columbia Records on 6 June 1995 in the United States.

The album was recorded during the band's Division Bell Tour in 1994, specifically the UK and European leg, which ran from July to October 1994 (See Pink Floyd live performances).

Content and recording

The album includes a complete live version of The Dark Side of the Moon and features a booklet with many photos from performances on this tour. It also features "Astronomy Domine", a Syd Barrett song not performed since the early 1970s.

Unlike Delicate Sound of Thunder, David Gilmour and producer James Guthrie have stated that no parts of the songs were re-recorded in the studio (James Guthrie confirmed this in an interview with Pink Floyd fanzine Brain Damage). However, the band and Guthrie fixed songs that had bad notes (as heard on some bootlegs) by lifting solos and corrected vocal lines from other performances as the band recorded most of the European leg. The CD says it was mixed in "Q Sound" which produces a 3D audio effect even on a two channel stereo system.

Release history

In the US, Pulse debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in June 1995 (briefly dethroning Hootie and the Blowfish's Cracked Rear View for a week before Hootie regained the number one spot in the US) and was soon certified Double Platinum by the RIAA on 31 July 1995.[4]

On 10 July 2006, the Pulse DVD was released of the concert performed on 20 October 1994, at Earls Court, London. The video version also featured the song "Take It Back," and a nearly complete performance from their 20 October show at Earl's Court, London.[citation needed]

The vinyl version comes in a four-LP box set and includes "One of These Days" (also heard on the cassette release) as well as a large version of the photo booklet.

The original CD cover features an "eye-like" machine that has clock pieces inside, there is a planet in its centre, and on the outside it shows evolution as it moves backwards. It starts in the sea, moves to the bacteria which evolve into fishes, then into egg type creatures, then into eggs that hatch birds, and birds follow the trail of an aeroplane. There are six pyramids in the desert, and in the bottom of the sea, one can observe a city in the shore.

LED packaging

Early CD versions came with a blinking red LED on the side of the case. This was designed by EMI contractor Jon Kempner, who was awarded the platinum disc, using the now discontinued LM3909 LED flasher IC. The circuit was powered by a single AA cell; the battery life was stated to be over 6 months. Some versions were also made with 2 AA batteries and later editions of the CD set did not feature the blinking LED.

'Essentially, it's a device which we thought was entertaining. It's an idea of Storm Thorgerson's which related to Dark Side and the pulse, and it's a live album so the box is "alive". After that, in terms of seriously deep meanings, one might be struggling a bit.'

— Nick Mason, [5]

The debut of the album was highlighted by a light show from the top of the Empire State Building in New York City with music simulcasted on a New York City radio station.

  • The outer packaging for Pulse with the light compartment and holder removed and on top.
    The outer packaging for Pulse with the light compartment and holder removed and on top.
  • The blinking light compartment (2 AA version) from an original Pulse release with batteries removed.
    The blinking light compartment (2 AA version) from an original Pulse release with batteries removed.
  • The battery warning sticker that was on the inside of the packaging. Light still works as of December 2012.
    The battery warning sticker that was on the inside of the packaging. Light still works as of December 2012.

LED size difference

The LED cases are slightly broader and thicker than a standard CD jewel. Later releases that did not come with the LED matched the dimensions of a CD jewel case but are also thicker. This is due to the hardback picture book and outer sleeve which prevents storing in shelves that require standard thickness CD jewel cases. The later version does fit in CD shelves that do not require the exact jewel case thickness.

In comparing the releases, the outer sleeve and books are identical other than size difference with the same photos on each page. Only in the LED version larger book, the inner jacket holding each CD displays the track listing.

In the picture at the right, the LED 2 battery compartment is at the top, the row on the left is the LED larger version and on the row at the right is the smaller later release. All releases are packaged with the same two music CDs.

Track listing

CD Edition

Disc one
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
1."Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts I-V, VII (20 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard WrightDavid Gilmour13:35
2."Astronomy Domine (15 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Syd BarretGilmour, Wright4:20
3."What Do You Want From Me (21 September 1994, Cinecittà, Rome)"Gilmour, Wright, Polly SamsonGilmour4:10
4."Learning to Fly (14 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, Anthony Moore, Bob Ezrin, Jon CarinGilmour5:16
5."Keep Talking (17 August 1994, Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover)"Gilmour, Wright, SamsonGilmour6:52
6."Coming Back to Life (13 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"GilmourGilmour6:56
7."Hey You (13, 15 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"WatersGilmour, Jon Carin4:40
8."A Great Day for Freedom (19 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, SamsonGilmour4:30
9."Sorrow (20 September 1994, Cinecittà, Rome)"GilmourGilmour10:49
10."High Hopes (14, 19, 20, 21, 29 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, SamsonGilmour7:52
11."Another Brick in the Wall, Part II (21 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"WatersGilmour, Guy Pratt7:08
Total length:1:15:50
Disc two
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
1."Speak to Me (20 September 1994, Cinecittà, Rome)"Nick MasonInstrumental2:30
2."Breathe (In the Air) (20 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, Waters, WrightGilmour, Carin2:33
3."On the Run (20 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, WatersInstrumental3:48
4."Time (17 September 1994, Modena, Italy; 20 September 1994, Cinecittà, Rome; 20 October 1994, London)"Gilmour, Waters, Wright, MasonGilmour, Wright6:47
5."The Great Gig in the Sky (20 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Wright, Clare TorrySam Brown, Durga McBroom, Claudia Fontaine5:52
6."Money (17 September 1994, Modena, Italy; 20 October 1994, London)"WatersGilmour8:54
7."Us and Them (19, 20 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Waters, WrightGilmour6:58
8."Any Colour You Like (19, 23 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, Wright, MasonInstrumental3:21
9."Brain Damage (19 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"WatersGilmour3:46
10."Eclipse (19 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"WatersGilmour2:38
11."Wish You Were Here (20 September 1994, Cinecittà, Rome)"Gilmour, WatersGilmour6:35
12."Comfortably Numb (20 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, WatersGilmour, Wright, Carin, Pratt9:29
13."Run Like Hell (15 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, WatersGilmour, Pratt8:36
Total length:1:11:57

Vinyl Edition

Side one
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
1."Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts I-V, VII"David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard WrightDavid Gilmour13:35
2."Astronomy Domine"Syd BarretGilmour, Wright4:20
3."What Do You Want From Me"Gilmour, Wright, Polly SamsonGilmour4:10
Total length:22:05
Side two
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
4."Learning to Fly"Gilmour, Anthony Moore, Bob Ezrin, Jon CarinGilmour5:16
5."Keep Talking"Gilmour, Wright, SamsonGilmour6:52
6."Coming Back to Life"GilmourGilmour6:56
Total length:19:04
Side three
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
7."Hey You"WatersGilmour, Jon Carin4:40
8."A Great Day for Freedom"Gilmour, SamsonGilmour4:30
9."Sorrow"GilmourGilmour10:49
Total length:19:59
Side four
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
10."High Hopes"Gilmour, SamsonGilmour7:52
11."Another Brick in the Wall, Part II"WatersGilmour, Guy Pratt7:08
12."One of These Days (21 October 1994, Earl's Court, London)"Gilmour, Waters, Wright, Nick MasonInstrumental6:51
Total length:21:33
Side five
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
1."Speak to Me"MasonInstrumental2:30
2."Breathe (In the Air)"Gilmour, Waters, WrightGilmour, Carin2:33
3."On the Run"Gilmour, WatersInstrumental3:48
4."Time"Gilmour, Waters, Wright, MasonGilmour, Wright6:47
Total length:15:48
Side six
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
5."The Great Gig in the Sky"Wright, Clare TorrySam Brown, Durga McBroom, Claudia Fontaine5:52
6."Money"WatersGilmour8:54
Total length:14:46
Side seven
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
7."Us and Them"Waters, WrightGilmour6:58
8."Any Colour You Like"Gilmour, Wright, MasonInstrumental3:21
9."Brain Damage"WatersGilmour3:46
10."Eclipse"WatersGilmour2:38
Total length:16:43
Side eight
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
11."Wish You Were Here"Gilmour, WatersGilmour6:35
12."Comfortably Numb"Gilmour, WatersGilmour, Wright, Carin, Pratt9:29
13."Run Like Hell"Gilmour, WatersGilmour, Pratt8:36
Total length:24:40

Cassette Edition

Cassette One
Side one
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
1."Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts I-V, VII"David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard WrightDavid Gilmour13:35
2."Astronomy Domine"Syd BarretGilmour, Wright4:20
3."What Do You Want From Me"Gilmour, Wright, Polly SamsonGilmour4:10
4."Learning to Fly"Gilmour, Anthony Moore, Bob Ezrin, Jon CarinGilmour5:16
5."Keep Talking"Gilmour, Wright, SamsonGilmour6:52
6."Coming Back to Life"GilmourGilmour6:56
Total length:41:09
Side two
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
7."Hey You"WatersGilmour, Jon Carin4:40
8."A Great Day for Freedom"Gilmour, SamsonGilmour4:30
9."Sorrow"GilmourGilmour10:49
10."High Hopes"Gilmour, SamsonGilmour7:52
11."Another Brick in the Wall, Part II"WatersGilmour, Guy Pratt7:08
12."One of These Days"Gilmour, Waters, Wright, Nick MasonInstrumental6:51
Total length:41:32
Cassette Two
Side three
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
1."Speak to Me"MasonInstrumental2:30
2."Breathe (In the Air)"Gilmour, Waters, WrightGilmour, Carin2:33
3."On the Run"Gilmour, WatersInstrumental3:48
4."Time"Gilmour, Waters, Wright, MasonGilmour, Wright6:47
5."The Great Gig in the Sky"Wright, Clare TorrySam Brown, Durga McBroom, Claudia Fontaine5:52
6."Money"WatersGilmour8:54
7."Us and Them"Waters, WrightGilmour6:58
8."Any Colour You Like"Gilmour, Wright, MasonInstrumental3:21
9."Brain Damage"WatersGilmour3:46
10."Eclipse"WatersGilmour2:38
Total length:47:17
Side four
No.TitleMusicLead VocalsLength
11."Wish You Were Here"Gilmour, WatersGilmour6:35
12."Comfortably Numb"Gilmour, WatersGilmour, Wright, Carin, Pratt9:29
13."Run Like Hell"Gilmour, WatersGilmour, Pratt8:36
14."Soundscape (Ambient piece played before all concerts)"Gilmour, Wright, MasonInstrumental22:00
Total length:46:40

Personnel

Pink Floyd
Additional musicians
  • Sam Brown – backing vocals, first lead vocalist on "The Great Gig in the Sky"
  • Jon Carin – keyboards, backing vocals, programming, lead vocals on "Hey You", "Comfortably Numb" (verses)
  • Claudia Fontaine – backing vocals, third lead vocalist on "The Great Gig in the Sky"
  • Durga McBroom – backing vocals, second lead vocalist on "The Great Gig in the Sky"
  • Dick Parry – saxophones
  • Guy Pratt – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Comfortably Numb" (verses) and "Run Like Hell"
  • Tim Renwick – guitars, backing vocals
  • Gary Wallis – percussion, additional drums (played and programmed)

Sales chart performance

Album
Year Chart Position
1995 UK Albums Chart 1[6]
1995 The Billboard 200 1[7]
1995 Norwegian Record Charts 1[8]
1995 Australian ARIA Albums Chart 1[9]
1995 Swiss Charts 1[10]

Sales and certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[11] Gold 30,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[12] Platinum 50,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[13] 3× Platinum 300,000^
France (SNEP)[14] Platinum 300,000*
Germany (BVMI)[15] Platinum 500,000^
Italy (FIMI)[16] Gold 25,000*
Poland (ZPAV)[17] Platinum 0*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[18] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[4] 2× Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[20] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Singles
Year Single Chart Position
1995 "What Do You Want from Me" Mainstream Rock Tracks 13[citation needed]
Year Single Chart Position
1995 "Wish You Were Here" Mainstream Rock Tracks 13[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2011). "Pulse - Pink Floyd | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  2. ^ O'Connor, Rob (2011). "Pulse by Pink Floyd | Rolling Stone Music | Music Reviews". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  3. ^ "esounds". EMI. Retrieved 8 July 2007.
  4. ^ a b "Gold and Platinum Database Search". Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  5. ^ Phil Sutcliffe (July 1995). "The 30 Year Technicolor Dream". Mojo Magazine. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Chart Stats - Pink Floyd - Pulse". www.chartstats.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Pink Floyd". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  8. ^ "norwegiancharts.com - Pink Floyd - P.U.L.S.E." norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  9. ^ "australian-charts.com - Pink Floyd - P.U.L.S.E." australian-charts.com. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Pink Floyd - P.U.L.S.E. - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  11. ^ "Gold & Platinum Certifications". CAPIF (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 July 2011.
  12. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Pink Floyd – Pulse" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Pink Floyd – P.U.L.S.E." Music Canada. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  14. ^ "French album certifications – Pink Floyd – Pulse" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Pink Floyd; 'Pulse')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Italian album certifications – Pink Floyd – Pulse" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 10 January 2015. Select "2015" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Pulse" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
  17. ^ Expression error: Unexpected <= operator
  18. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('P.u.l.s.e.')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  19. ^ "British album certifications – Pink Floyd – Pulse". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 January 2013. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Pulse in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  20. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1996". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
Preceded by Billboard 200 number-one album
24–30 June 1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UK number one album
10–23 June 1995
Preceded by Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
25 June – 1 July 1995

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