love it! Quote: The band played the instrumental track to Torry and asked her to improvise a vocal. At first she struggled to find what was needed, but then she was inspired to sing as if she were an instrument herself. Torry performed two complete takes, the second more emotional than the first, but when David Gilmour asked for a third take she stopped halfway through, feeling that she was becoming repetitive and had already done the best she could. The final album track was assembled from all three takes. The members of the band were deeply impressed by Torry's performance but did not tell her this and she left the studio, with a standard £30 flat fee, under the impression that her vocals would not make the final cut. She only became aware that she had been included in the final mix when she picked up the album at a local record store and saw her name in the credits. In 2005, an undisclosed out-of-court settlement in Torry's favour included giving her vocal composition credit.
I think I seen an interview where she says she did in one take. They explained to her that they didn't want word vocals, so she just went with her gut feeling on the meaning of the song and went with it, and they loved it....
Great gig in the sky is about dying , it was a common phrase a euphemism “ Sadly he’s gone to the great gig in the sky …..” the song reflects the shock of dying then acceptance
@@andersjohansson4734 Well the whole first part of the album leads there. IIRC, there's only one silent pause in the whole album, and it's at the end of the Great Gig in the Sky. If you put it on loop (as you should), the end and the beginning are connected, so literally the only break is at the end of tGGitS.
Imagine being 16-17 and in the basement and record player in the dark with a small group of friends toking and totally tripping out to this music. THIS was our childhood.
"The Great Gig In The Sky" is a euphemism for death. And although the band has denied this part, it's hypothesized that the song (specifically Clare's part) represents the stages of grief. I heard that years ago, and it has elevated the song experience for me ever since. I cry every time.
Gilmore's use of the steel guitar in their music is genius and adds such an unusual & distinctive sound that adds so much. And then, there's Claire Torry. What a song.
I love how reactors intitally are surprised that Pink Floyd is using a female vocalist, and then that surprise turns into shock and awe! My favorite bit is where her singing sounds like a soulful saxophone solo!
When I was younger my reaction was similar to yours. I was caught up in the spectical of it all, and enamored by the sounds. But now as I'm older, and have witnessed loved ones pass, and after reading a bit about what this song was meant to be, I realize that this is actually a very melancholy song, and it destroys me now, it makes me weep. It is about someone on their deathbed. The last few moments of life as your body shuts down, and the struggle against the dying of the light, the fight to stay alive just a few more seconds before you drift off to that great gig in the sky.
Clare Torry. Taking us through the transition from life to death, without a word. ‘There was a bit of direction given: they said, 'Sorry, we've got no words, no melody line, just a chord sequence - just see what you can do with it.' She was only there for a couple of hours. As I remember, she did two or three tracks, from which we assembled the best bits for a master version. But somewhere in the archives are the bits we didn't use, and I'm sure it would make for an interesting remix version one day." - Alan Parsons.’
Actually it's done a lot in Jazz. For a different but similar instrumental experience you might like Pharoah Sanders' "Astral Travelling" from 1971. Different emotion but same reach.
Pink Floyd has some, VERY MEMORABLE songs, and this is one of their best. The stages of life to death, all done without words. The inaudible voices represent the living, speaking to the dying. So glad you liked it MISS MAGGIE!😊
This is off the album, "Dark Side of the Moon", which came out in 1973 and stayed on the charts for 18 years. The whole album is great and it is meant to be listened to completely in one listen. Anything Pink Floyd is a trip. This album made them superstars. Their previous album in 1972 was recorded at Pompei, Italy outdoors in the former arena, and played to the ghosts of the people who were killed by the volcanic eruption so long ago. Remember when covid 1st started and people were locked down, bands started playing concerts with no one in the audience to be shown later. Well Pink Floyd was ahead of every one else by 47 years! In the Echoes of Pompei album you see them as young 20 somethings. Amazing music from such youngsters. Of course the Beatles broke up before anyone was 30. There was a lot of talent that came out of the 1960's and 1970's.
Watching your facial expressions is the best way to understand this song. Because you know what she's doing and how subtle and dynamic she is, was, whatever.. 🎶🔥💯✌️
And for further fun, watch it to The Wizard of Oz!😅 Edit: I meant to say, listen to album while watching the movie. After the lion's 3rd roar, hit play 👍
Clare Torry was mainly a pop singer that Alan Parsons brought in for this song. Her first attempt, she was adding "ooh baby," etc. David Gilmour stopped her and said no - no lyrics. Roger Waters told her that this was a song about dying, "so have a sing on that." The original title of the song was The Mortality Sequence. The story varies a bit here, but she essentially did a full take. They liked the direction and asked her to do it again. That is the take you hear here. She started a 3rd take, but stopped and told them that she could not do it better than the 2nd take.
O.K. Maggie Renee for the record -- you can not go wrong with Pink Floyd. This ladies solo is from the depths of her soul. It is my understanding that the band invited her in to the studio and played the music for her. AND told her to ad lib her part. And kick my ears and butt she did. This track is off of the Dark Side of the Moon album/CD. I contend and submit to you this is the BEST rock album EVER. Pink has sold 45 million copies worldwide since 1973. I own the LP and the CD.
Context is everything with Pink Floyd. This album is painstakingly, meticulously, and masterfully composed and produced, with effective underlying thematic unity. It is considered by more than a few to be among the most perfect records ever made. It is worthy of an uninterrupted and complete listen. In context, this song hits even harder. I did NOT go to Julliard, but both my stand partners over my 35 years in the Tucson Symphony did - so I've heard stories.
They toured with three lady back up vocalists, and over time this became the one they let the girls all show off on. The Pulse live recording of this is incredible and MANDATORY for a channel like this.
I can still remember bringing this album home to the 24 hour party mine and my brothers apartment was. Adjusting our mental states and putting this on and no one had EVER heard anything like it. I bet we played it 10 times straight. Will never forget the awe in everyone's eyes when Clare's vocals came into it....pure magic.
Soooo glad you listened to the studio version. Many reactors listen to the live version where it takes 3, admittedly incredibly talented, but still 3 singers to do what Claire did. And what an ear you have! Hitting the same notes, tenor, quality after just hearing them a couple seconds before. 😁🍻 Dark Side, the entire album, should really be listened to in one sitting. It is a life experience. As an old man who bought the album when it first came out, I love that the quality has lasted through time and it still leaves people with goose bumps and wanting more.
Back in the day, we used to play this album (Dark Side of the Moon) so loud that the spoken bits were easily understood. (I never said I was afraid of dying.) Another era ....
Too hard to pick a song off this album as the entire thing is a timeless classic that never ever gets old......and needs to be listened to in its entirety. The song is simultaneously the saddest and most be-a-utiful on the album. There never was and never will be another band like Pink Floyd
As a side note, this is part two of a trilogy of albums that Roger Waters/Pink Floyd wrote....Wish You Were Here, Dark Side of the Moon and then the third later, Another Brick in the Wall. All meant to be listened to as a whole album experience....a story within the music is told. These guys are the Beethoven, Bach, Mozart etc of our time.
That first time hearing face is just like most people have, priceless. It makes you want to sit up from your bean bag chair and take notice. Being able to bring out the power and emotion without "screaming" is just genius. The little voices are part of how Dark Side is a concept album. YES, more Pink Floyd.
This song is about a lady in the throes of death. The realization that her time has come. The fear, the anger, the sadness and finally the acceptance and release. This song actually helped me overcome my fear of death.
I'm so glad you did this song - as awesome as the band is in the background, it's the vocals that have the spotlight. Another amazing reaction to an incredible song. The girl near the end says "I never said I was frightened of dying." So the singing feels like it's going through the stages of acceptance after someone dies, therefore Great Gig "in the Sky".
It is a reaction, I don't see wrong stopping the song and commenting, as the title is Opera Singer Reacts. Although I understand you, but if you don't want interruptions, you can listen to it yourself.
Who should I react to next: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/sponsor-a-reaction-live What should I sing next: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/sponsor-a-song-live And just for you: ‘Sing Better Instantly" my FREE Singing Course: skl.sh/3aHdSuy and for EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS AND PERKS: www.patreon.com/MaggieRenee
As a Young musician when this came out my friends and I got the album the most of us were in tears when it ended. We sat in absolute awe of what we had just listened to. Remember, in the early seventies all we had was the album cover and the vinyl, plus our imaginations. I knew you would love this. D❤
As everyone will note, this album (Dark Side of the Moon) is actually one long composition -- the ultimate concept album, encapsulating mortality and the stages of grief. In its context on the side, it makes perfect sense -- it's the recognition of mortality, then rejection, then despair, then acceptance. Genius improvised vocals over a genius backing track. Also superlative engineering by Alan Parsons -- for many years, if I was going to buy speakers I took this album to the shop to test everything speakers are supposed to reproduce faithfully.
When I was young I used to take the album irobot when I bought amplifiers and speakers Now I design and build loudspeakers And I still use the album irobot as a reference to test new cabinets.
Maggie, your analytical focus was such that you didn't consciously pick up on the melancholy vibe...but your subconscious did, hence the goosebumps. You're spot on when you used the word "wailing". As others have said, this is about death and expressing grief, and eventual surrender to the inevitable. Did you notice that her final phrase was unfinished? Taken away untimely. Melancholy is threaded thru most of Pink Floyd's work. There is a reason why music of this era was called "album-oriented rock" (AOR). Reaction or not, listen to the whole album in one sitting, get the true experience.
The voices at the beginning are saying, "And I am not frightened of dying. Any time will do, I don't mind." Why should I be frightened of dying? There's no reason for it - you've got to go sometime." - Gerry O'Driscoll, Abbey Road Studios janitor. At the end the faint female voice says "I never said I was frightened of dying." - Patricia Watts, wife of Floyds road manager Peter Watts. Claire Torry was asked to express vocally (without words) the five emotional stages one goes through when they are dying. First is Denial, Anger, Bargaining Depression and finally Acceptance. I am sorry to say that although you loved and appreciated the performance you kinda missed the whole point of the song. Please listen to the song again in private with this in mind, it hits home so hard! I love your reactions Maggie, this is not an attack but a genuine observation. Please take care and keep the reactions coming.
I appreciate where you are coming from, but it's a reaction. I'm sure she will listen again uninterrupted... also, she's an opera singer. Let her soak up the dynamics of the vocals! It's obvious she understands music on an integral level. I've seen many reactors interrupt songs at the worst moments and it's cringe- worthy... but she is actually analyzing the bits and going back to where she cut off the song to hear it in its entirety.
This one completely defies any attempt to categorize it. It exists as something completely unique, and resides as one of the pinnacle moments of recorded music.
"Nurse Evans, I'm afraid he's dying" is the whispering voice towards the end. I like to think Clare Torrey's vocals represent the process of the soul leaving the body.
As already mentioned Clare Torry is the singer and there is an amazing interview with her when she talks about the gig - if you pardon the pun .Worth listening to .
The part of this song that is almost always missed is that it is about the "Big Gig In The Sky" - Death and Dying (as introduced by the voices talking in the background). Fear, anxiety, horror, turning to calm, acceptance and peace. Listen to the song again... "I am not afraid of dying, why should I be? We all have to go sometime".
I saw you reacting to this song and I knew I HAD to listen to it… knew you’d be stunned… 50 years old and it still gives me chills And in context with the entire album… wow. There’s a reason it’s considered one of the greatest albums of all time
If you could do this belt journey with your amazing voice it will connect with 50 years of fans through an album that was on the charts for years and over 40 million copies. It would be a hallmark moment, if you nail it. We know you’re one of the very few that could.
It was completely improvised, which is why the take on the studio album can never be matched live. There's no way anyone could do it *better* live, so the best they can do is try to mimic the original live - which they more or less try to do - but by trying to imitate the original, the free spirit that made the original so special is missing. It's just amazing. What an incredible track, on an incredible album.
You need to listen to the album from start to finish as one complete movement, its a complete commentary on life, death and everything in between.....it is quite simply a masterpiece..👌🏻 Great reaction..👏🏻👏🏻
She improvised this cold. After two and a half takes, she left thinking she'd not done it very well. In reality the band members were picking their jaws up off the floor. It's an absolutely stunning vocal performance.
On of the most amazing, moving pieces of music and vocals you'll ever hear! The little voice you couldn't quite hear was actually Linda McCartney. Pre recorded with a few others at Abbey Rd studios at the time 😊
The song is about the end of your life when you pass on. The first part is dying and going beyond. The second part of Clares solo is once you get there. That side of the Dark Side of the Moon is about your life from your 1 st breath to the day you die. It starts with brethe and ends after death. Your life on 1 side of an music album. Pretty awsome. You need to listen to the whole side at one time to get the effect. Thats what we used to do. Listen to the whole side. The other side is about what you do in life and wars and peace!
Imagine our reactions when we were turned on to this 50 years ago. In all this time I haven't had the opportunity to listen to it with some one that can actually sing it. Maggies knowledge and skill makes her reaction all that much more fun to watch.
She said that when she finished, she walked into the control booth. All 4 guys were there. She looked at them for their reaction. They were apparently speechless because none said a single word!...and she left.
Maggie, as previously stated in other comments, she did this in 2 takes, yes it was improvised, that girl has some pipes, no disrespect to you. The live version from Pulse is awesome but it takes 3 backing singers to do what Clair did on her own.
I have listened to this for the past 50 years. When that slide guitar comes in reality shifts for me. The vocals are otherworldly. I am so happy to have been alive during this time. In the opinion of many the vocals represent the stages of your death. Shock, anger, denial, acceptance then finally peace. If that isn't right, it should be.
LOVE PINK FLOYD SAW THEM IN CONCERT IN LA CAL WHEN I WAS IN MY TEENS MY FRIEND WAS A STUDIO MUSCIAN AND TOOK ME BACK STAGE WHAT A GREAT VIBE IT WAS THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
First and foremost. Every album from Pink Floyd is definitely a personal mental/spiritual adventure for sure. Now keeping that in mind. Picture a petite redhead who walks out onto stage and out of her vocal box you hear this for the very first time back in the 70's.
There is a reason this album has been on the top 200 for over 950 weeks
Clare Torry's vocals are amazing, but credit should also be given to the late Richard Wright's beautiful keyboard arrangement on this track
he doesn't get enough credit dude was once in an earth not even lifetime once in the earth's exsitance
An early version of the song exists, without the vocals, and Richard takes center stage. Check it out.
I will, thank you
dead right there
She did this in 2 and a half takes. Amazing!
love it! Quote: The band played the instrumental track to Torry and asked her to improvise a vocal. At first she struggled to find what was needed, but then she was inspired to sing as if she were an instrument herself. Torry performed two complete takes, the second more emotional than the first, but when David Gilmour asked for a third take she stopped halfway through, feeling that she was becoming repetitive and had already done the best she could. The final album track was assembled from all three takes. The members of the band were deeply impressed by Torry's performance but did not tell her this and she left the studio, with a standard £30 flat fee, under the impression that her vocals would not make the final cut. She only became aware that she had been included in the final mix when she picked up the album at a local record store and saw her name in the credits. In 2005, an undisclosed out-of-court settlement in Torry's favour included giving her vocal composition credit.
👍💗
@@maggiereneemusic please read update i’ve done on the comment about the vocals.
I think I seen an interview where she says she did in one take. They explained to her that they didn't want word vocals, so she just went with her gut feeling on the meaning of the song and went with it, and they loved it....
@@maggiereneemusic if you loved the sounds at the start that made your spine tingle on this then you will love Shine On You Crazy Diamond!
@@softshallow7435 and not in live version but in studio version of course!!...please stop" wish you were here" in live...
And this is what blows one’s mind: Clare Torrey IMPROVISED this.
I cry every time I hear this. 50 years and counting.
Great gig in the sky is about dying , it was a common phrase a euphemism “ Sadly he’s gone to the great gig in the sky …..” the song reflects the shock of dying then acceptance
So glad you did the studio version. Nothing wrong with the live version but to here Claire Torrey is so soulful
Thanks! 👍🌹
@@maggiereneemusic But everytime a reactor fail to listen to Time/Great gig together an angel lose their wings.
@@andersjohansson4734 Well the whole first part of the album leads there. IIRC, there's only one silent pause in the whole album, and it's at the end of the Great Gig in the Sky. If you put it on loop (as you should), the end and the beginning are connected, so literally the only break is at the end of tGGitS.
@@maggiereneemusic
Yes.
Now please go back and do a live version anyway.
I won't listen to any other version...
Glad you picked the album version and not the newer concert remake. This is the one that made history.
💯
Congratulations Maggie you're the first reactor to ever hear the whisper.
It goes to show how carefully you're listening to the music.
Such a beautiful moving piece of music from 50 yrs ago, still wows new fans
From the greatest album ever recorded, hands down. It deserves a full listen.
The composition and vocals (without lyrics) conveyed shock, fear and finally the acceptance of death. Masterpiece of music!
Imagine being 16-17 and in the basement and record player in the dark with a small group of friends toking and totally tripping out to this music. THIS was our childhood.
Oh, dude, I remember! And actually, I suddenly remember this memory of us sitting around, listening to it, watching a snake, eat its dinner… youth
"The Great Gig In The Sky" is a euphemism for death. And although the band has denied this part, it's hypothesized that the song (specifically Clare's part) represents the stages of grief. I heard that years ago, and it has elevated the song experience for me ever since. I cry every time.
Gilmore's use of the steel guitar in their music is genius and adds such an unusual & distinctive sound that adds so much. And then, there's Claire Torry. What a song.
Reminds me of whale song....soothing, soulful, sad and energizing all at once.
Goose bumps for 45 years.
I love how reactors intitally are surprised that Pink Floyd is using a female vocalist, and then that surprise turns into shock and awe! My favorite bit is where her singing sounds like a soulful saxophone solo!
When I was younger my reaction was similar to yours. I was caught up in the spectical of it all, and enamored by the sounds. But now as I'm older, and have witnessed loved ones pass, and after reading a bit about what this song was meant to be, I realize that this is actually a very melancholy song, and it destroys me now, it makes me weep. It is about someone on their deathbed. The last few moments of life as your body shuts down, and the struggle against the dying of the light, the fight to stay alive just a few more seconds before you drift off to that great gig in the sky.
This song will be played at my funeral and viewing on loop.
I told myself years ago that if this song isn't playing at my funeral, I'm not going.
Clare Torry. Taking us through the transition from life to death, without a word. ‘There was a bit of direction given: they said, 'Sorry, we've got no words, no melody line, just a chord sequence - just see what you can do with it.' She was only there for a couple of hours. As I remember, she did two or three tracks, from which we assembled the best bits for a master version. But somewhere in the archives are the bits we didn't use, and I'm sure it would make for an interesting remix version one day." - Alan Parsons.’
She said it all without saying anything at all.
Only Pink Floyd can make a song, without a single lyric…and it’s incredible…the emotions it brings out, when you actually sit down and listen…
Actually it's done a lot in Jazz. For a different but similar instrumental experience you might like Pharoah Sanders' "Astral Travelling" from 1971. Different emotion but same reach.
You should check out Frank Zappa
Amen
Pink Floyd has some, VERY MEMORABLE songs, and this is one of their best. The stages of life to death, all done without words. The inaudible voices represent the living, speaking to the dying. So glad you liked it MISS MAGGIE!😊
This is off the album, "Dark Side of the Moon", which came out in 1973 and stayed on the charts for 18 years. The whole album is great and it is meant to be listened to completely in one listen. Anything Pink Floyd is a trip. This album made them superstars. Their previous album in 1972 was recorded at Pompei, Italy outdoors in the former arena, and played to the ghosts of the people who were killed by the volcanic eruption so long ago. Remember when covid 1st started and people were locked down, bands started playing concerts with no one in the audience to be shown later. Well Pink Floyd was ahead of every one else by 47 years! In the Echoes of Pompei album you see them as young 20 somethings. Amazing music from such youngsters. Of course the Beatles broke up before anyone was 30. There was a lot of talent that came out of the 1960's and 1970's.
The live in Pompei version of "Set the controls for the heart of the sun" is one of my favourite pieces of music ever. Just gorgeous.
@@tribaltalker1608 And of course Echoes.
To be listened to in the dark, eyes closed and lying in comfort. Yes, in one go with the one break to turn the LP over.
I've always found it amazing that I was in first grade when this was released and had graduated from college when it dropped off the charts.
Watching anyone react to this vocal is great. Watching someone who knows what it takes to produce this kind of vocal react to this is the best. 👍🏻
🙏👍🙏
Watching your facial expressions is the best way to understand this song. Because you know what she's doing and how subtle and dynamic she is, was, whatever..
🎶🔥💯✌️
Yup, this song always give me goosebumps every time and I've been listening to Pink Floyd since '73. ☺️💕
Take an evening and listen to the whole album. A concept album with the most brilliant observations and statements about humanity ever set to rock.
With a glass of wine or an edible (both?) and headphones is a must!
And for further fun, watch it to The Wizard of Oz!😅 Edit: I meant to say, listen to album while watching the movie. After the lion's 3rd roar, hit play 👍
@jonathanmoon86 This chick on an edible? I'd pay to see that....but God she's annoying AF..
Single vocalist in the original. Three vocalists in the Live Pulse version. Both are Amazing.
Clare Torry was mainly a pop singer that Alan Parsons brought in for this song. Her first attempt, she was adding "ooh baby," etc.
David Gilmour stopped her and said no - no lyrics. Roger Waters told her that this was a song about dying, "so have a sing on that." The original title of the song was The Mortality Sequence.
The story varies a bit here, but she essentially did a full take. They liked the direction and asked her to do it again. That is the take you hear here. She started a 3rd take, but stopped and told them that she could not do it better than the 2nd take.
The entire album will give anyone goosebumps. Quite arguably the greatest recording of the 20th century.
Once again a fantastic reaction from Maggie. Pink Floyd an all time favorite band of mine
As many others have said... The whole album from beginning to end. Don't spoil it by listening to anymore individual songs.
Love this reaction ❤
The whole album . . . with headphones . . . in a darkened room.
O.K. Maggie Renee for the record -- you can not go wrong with Pink Floyd. This ladies solo is from the depths of her soul. It is my understanding that the band invited her in to the studio and played the music for her. AND told her to ad lib her part. And kick my ears and butt she did. This track is off of the Dark Side of the Moon album/CD. I contend and submit to you this is the BEST rock album EVER. Pink has sold 45 million copies worldwide since 1973. I own the LP and the CD.
Context is everything with Pink Floyd. This album is painstakingly, meticulously, and masterfully composed and produced, with effective underlying thematic unity. It is considered by more than a few to be among the most perfect records ever made. It is worthy of an uninterrupted and complete listen. In context, this song hits even harder. I did NOT go to Julliard, but both my stand partners over my 35 years in the Tucson Symphony did - so I've heard stories.
They toured with three lady back up vocalists, and over time this became the one they let the girls all show off on. The Pulse live recording of this is incredible and MANDATORY for a channel like this.
Pink Floyd & Claire Torrey's performance here is beyond epic... timeless... Something people will be listening to a thousand years from now....
I can still remember bringing this album home to the 24 hour party mine and my brothers apartment was. Adjusting our mental states and putting this on and no one had EVER heard anything like it. I bet we played it 10 times straight. Will never forget the awe in everyone's eyes when Clare's vocals came into it....pure magic.
Soooo glad you listened to the studio version.
Many reactors listen to the live version where it takes 3, admittedly incredibly talented, but still 3 singers to do what Claire did.
And what an ear you have!
Hitting the same notes, tenor, quality after just hearing them a couple seconds before. 😁🍻
Dark Side, the entire album, should really be listened to in one sitting. It is a life experience.
As an old man who bought the album when it first came out, I love that the quality has lasted through time and it still leaves people with goose bumps and wanting more.
Back in the day, we used to play this album (Dark Side of the Moon) so loud that the spoken bits were easily understood. (I never said I was afraid of dying.) Another era ....
"Welcome To The Machine" is a must-do reaction by Pink Floyd. Seriously.
The live Pulse version always breings tears to my eyes.
Too hard to pick a song off this album as the entire thing is a timeless classic that never ever gets old......and needs to be listened to in its entirety. The song is simultaneously the saddest and most be-a-utiful on the album. There never was and never will be another band like Pink Floyd
As a side note, this is part two of a trilogy of albums that Roger Waters/Pink Floyd wrote....Wish You Were Here, Dark Side of the Moon and then the third later, Another Brick in the Wall. All meant to be listened to as a whole album experience....a story within the music is told. These guys are the Beethoven, Bach, Mozart etc of our time.
That first time hearing face is just like most people have, priceless. It makes you want to sit up from your bean bag chair and take notice. Being able to bring out the power and emotion without "screaming" is just genius. The little voices are part of how Dark Side is a concept album. YES, more Pink Floyd.
This song is about a lady in the throes of death. The realization that her time has come. The fear, the anger, the sadness and finally the acceptance and release. This song actually helped me overcome my fear of death.
improvised, one of the greatest vocal recordings of all time. all pure emotion, no words necessary.
Claire is singing about the 3 emotional stages of death, anger, denial & finally acceptance. Hence the Great Gig In the Sky.
I'm so glad you did this song - as awesome as the band is in the background, it's the vocals that have the spotlight.
Another amazing reaction to an incredible song. The girl near the end says "I never said I was frightened of dying."
So the singing feels like it's going through the stages of acceptance after someone dies, therefore Great Gig "in the Sky".
Never, I mean never stop this song. Just listen to it, never interrupt her.
Agreed; to much talky not enough listeny…very frustrating.
It is a reaction, I don't see wrong stopping the song and commenting, as the title is Opera Singer Reacts. Although I understand you, but if you don't want interruptions, you can listen to it yourself.
That's why is so hard for me watch this channel. But I tried today again...sorry, but no way.
It's for the copy loophole for reviewing, commenting... as that keeps the channel up.
*Floydus interruptus* _n._ The stopping of any Pink Floyd song at an inopportune time.
This is pure female soul. It expresses absolute joy and extreme sorrow at the same time. It brings tears to my eyes.
Who should I react to next: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/sponsor-a-reaction-live What should I sing next: www.maggierenee.com/book-me/sponsor-a-song-live And just for you: ‘Sing Better Instantly" my FREE Singing Course: skl.sh/3aHdSuy and for EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS AND PERKS: www.patreon.com/MaggieRenee
As a Young musician when this came out my friends and I got the album the most of us were in tears when it ended. We sat in absolute awe of what we had just listened to. Remember, in the early seventies all we had was the album cover and the vinyl, plus our imaginations. I knew you would love this. D❤
As everyone will note, this album (Dark Side of the Moon) is actually one long composition -- the ultimate concept album, encapsulating mortality and the stages of grief. In its context on the side, it makes perfect sense -- it's the recognition of mortality, then rejection, then despair, then acceptance. Genius improvised vocals over a genius backing track. Also superlative engineering by Alan Parsons -- for many years, if I was going to buy speakers I took this album to the shop to test everything speakers are supposed to reproduce faithfully.
When I was young I used to take the album irobot when I bought amplifiers and speakers Now I design and build loudspeakers And I still use the album irobot as a reference to test new cabinets.
Literally my favorite female vocal of-all-time. Fun-Fact: Claire Torre didn't know she got the vocal until she saw her name on the album. 😮😂❤
Claire Tory’s performance is beyond compare others have tried but nothing beats the best.
Indeed.. hats off to all singers who managed to pull it off - it's a very difficult vocal part - but Clare is THE original great.
Maggie, your analytical focus was such that you didn't consciously pick up on the melancholy vibe...but your subconscious did, hence the goosebumps. You're spot on when you used the word "wailing". As others have said, this is about death and expressing grief, and eventual surrender to the inevitable. Did you notice that her final phrase was unfinished? Taken away untimely. Melancholy is threaded thru most of Pink Floyd's work. There is a reason why music of this era was called "album-oriented rock" (AOR). Reaction or not, listen to the whole album in one sitting, get the true experience.
The voices at the beginning are saying,
"And I am not frightened of dying. Any time will do, I don't mind." Why should I be frightened of dying? There's no reason for it - you've got to go sometime." - Gerry O'Driscoll, Abbey Road Studios janitor.
At the end the faint female voice says "I never said I was frightened of dying." - Patricia Watts, wife of Floyds road manager Peter Watts.
Claire Torry was asked to express vocally (without words) the five emotional stages one goes through when they are dying. First is Denial, Anger, Bargaining Depression and finally Acceptance.
I am sorry to say that although you loved and appreciated the performance you kinda missed the whole point of the song. Please listen to the song again in private with this in mind, it hits home so hard!
I love your reactions Maggie, this is not an attack but a genuine observation. Please take care and keep the reactions coming.
I appreciate where you are coming from, but it's a reaction. I'm sure she will listen again uninterrupted... also, she's an opera singer. Let her soak up the dynamics of the vocals! It's obvious she understands music on an integral level.
I've seen many reactors interrupt songs at the worst moments and it's cringe- worthy... but she is actually analyzing the bits and going back to where she cut off the song to hear it in its entirety.
I’ve been listening to DSOTM since the early eighties and this always gives me shivers, even after thousands of listens.
This one completely defies any attempt to categorize it. It exists as something completely unique, and resides as one of the pinnacle moments of recorded music.
This.
"Nurse Evans, I'm afraid he's dying" is the whispering voice towards the end. I like to think Clare Torrey's vocals represent the process of the soul leaving the body.
She was originally paid something like $200 for her vocals but later was compensated fairly for her amazing performance.
It was £30
@@Ruddigore in any case it was a pittance
The Whisper's At 3:35 Say's " If You Can Hear Me Whispering, You Are Already Dead"
As already mentioned Clare Torry is the singer and there is an amazing interview with her when she talks about the gig - if you pardon the pun .Worth listening to .
One of the greatest albums ever made! Listening to it on headphones is truly incredible. Don't pause so much.
Clare Terry did several takes, but Pink Floyd ended up using the first take she did. The entire first take. Absolutely amazing!
It was 2½ takes
The part of this song that is almost always missed is that it is about the "Big Gig In The Sky" - Death and Dying (as introduced by the voices talking in the background). Fear, anxiety, horror, turning to calm, acceptance and peace. Listen to the song again... "I am not afraid of dying, why should I be? We all have to go sometime".
Hey, the “bending strings” were made with a pedal steel guitar.
I saw you reacting to this song and I knew I HAD to listen to it… knew you’d be stunned… 50 years old and it still gives me chills
And in context with the entire album… wow. There’s a reason it’s considered one of the greatest albums of all time
You HAVE to listen to it in context of the whole album and it’s even more impressive
This represents the 5 stages of death, Denial - Anger- Bargaining - Fear and Acceptance.
Hence the name "The Great gig in the sky"
If you could do this belt journey with your amazing voice it will connect with 50 years of fans through an album that was on the charts for years and over 40 million copies. It would be a hallmark moment, if you nail it. We know you’re one of the very few that could.
It was completely improvised, which is why the take on the studio album can never be matched live. There's no way anyone could do it *better* live, so the best they can do is try to mimic the original live - which they more or less try to do - but by trying to imitate the original, the free spirit that made the original so special is missing.
It's just amazing.
What an incredible track, on an incredible album.
Watch this live from Pulse. And Run Like Hell from Pulse also, you’ll see why it was the finale.
Welcome to your first of a thousand listens to this masterpiece. Goosebumps every time. For 40+ years.
Watch the interview with her on showing up at the studio and being told just to go for it completely improvised genius
Not only is this an all time great track, but you're the perfect person to react to this, I was so happy to see that you did this!
You need to listen to the album from start to finish as one complete movement, its a complete commentary on life, death and everything in between.....it is quite simply a masterpiece..👌🏻
Great reaction..👏🏻👏🏻
The most incredible vocals in a song and there's no words
Goosebumps at 1:37? Just wait.
She improvised this cold. After two and a half takes, she left thinking she'd not done it very well. In reality the band members were picking their jaws up off the floor. It's an absolutely stunning vocal performance.
One of my favorite ones is the live version of On The Turning Away from the Delicate Sound Of Thunder concert ❤
Pink Floyd was and always will be one of a kind. They really knew how to put an audio masterpiece together.
Ms. Clare Tory For another amazing female voice try anything from Renaissance with Annie Haslam, especially in her earlier years
Should have done the live concert. The live concert with those two ladies is great.
Claire Torry in one take, the stages of death
On of the most amazing, moving pieces of music and vocals you'll ever hear!
The little voice you couldn't quite hear was actually Linda McCartney. Pre recorded with a few others at Abbey Rd studios at the time 😊
Do yourself a huge favor and check out the live version from the pulse concert. Totally incredible.
Visually yes. But vocally nowhere close to the album version.
The song is about the end of your life when you pass on. The first part is dying and going beyond. The second part of Clares solo is once you get there. That side of the Dark Side of the Moon is about your life from your 1 st breath to the day you die. It starts with brethe and ends after death. Your life on 1 side of an music album. Pretty awsome. You need to listen to the whole side at one time to get the effect. Thats what we used to do. Listen to the whole side. The other side is about what you do in life and wars and peace!
Imagine our reactions when we were turned on to this 50 years ago. In all this time I haven't had the opportunity to listen to it with some one that can actually sing it. Maggies knowledge and skill makes her reaction all that much more fun to watch.
I find her extremely annoying, sorry, not sorry.
She said that when she finished, she walked into the control booth. All 4 guys were there. She looked at them for their reaction. They were apparently speechless because none said a single word!...and she left.
At 6:00, if you're going to analyze the title of the song, the emphasis is not "The Great Gig", the emphasis is on "In the Sky".
This song is a ode to death. I always get emotionally!
Maggie, as previously stated in other comments, she did this in 2 takes, yes it was improvised, that girl has some pipes, no disrespect to you. The live version from Pulse is awesome but it takes 3 backing singers to do what Clair did on her own.
I have listened to this for the past 50 years. When that slide guitar comes in reality shifts for me. The vocals are otherworldly. I am so happy to have been alive during this time.
In the opinion of many the vocals represent the stages of your death. Shock, anger, denial, acceptance then finally peace. If that isn't right, it should be.
The whisper in the middle is "If you can hear someone whispering you're dying"
No it's not.
LOVE PINK FLOYD SAW THEM IN CONCERT IN LA CAL WHEN I WAS IN MY TEENS MY FRIEND WAS A STUDIO MUSCIAN AND TOOK ME BACK STAGE WHAT A GREAT VIBE IT WAS THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
When it comes to *Pink Floyd* you don't react to just one song. *YOU DO THE ENTIRE ALBUM* AND THAT'S WITH ANYTHING PINK FLOYD DOES
YOU, GIRL... I would so love to hear you have an official go at this. It would be so epic.
Seriously.
Check out the live version of Great Gig in the Sky from the PULSE CONCERT.
No, don't bother it takes 3 singers to do what Clare did all by herself.
@@bradmannion6769 It won’t be a bother at all. It is an excellent performance by all 3 women.
First and foremost. Every album from Pink Floyd is definitely a personal mental/spiritual adventure for sure. Now keeping that in mind. Picture a petite redhead who walks out onto stage and out of her vocal box you hear this for the very first time back in the 70's.