im 33 years old, from Argentina. My dad used to play this entire album when i was very young. Still listening to it today. I think it's not th perfect or the best PF album but it is still a fantastic piece of art, and proves the genius Roger Waters was at that time. I love this album so much. Takes me on a trip to that nostalgic and well known place deep in my soul. Love you Dad.
I agree with Luis that one of the album’s greatest strengths is the lyrics - they’re extraordinary. The “When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse” verse just cracks my heart open every time.
Back when The Wall came out I used to set aside time every couple of months to listen to the entire album in one sitting. I looked forward to playing it loud on the best equipment. I had just bought a large system when I was in the navy in the late 70’s. I had 300 watt floor speakers and I could make the walls shiver !! Those are great memories !! Thanks guys for reminding me !!
My brother-in-law was one of the head roadies for the Wall concerts in Dortmund and London. He actually helped build and then tear down the wall each night on stage. He said it was one of the most elaborate and complicated concerts he ever worked, and he worked many.
Luis, your explanation of the album moved me because now I know I'm not alone. It's a masterpiece. Thank you, brother. I will add that The Wall is quintessentially a very British album with its deep cultural references so many of the deep nuances have been lost to most of the panel e.g in reference to Chad's comments, Vera is not a reference to his girlfriend but Dame Vera Lynn, a beloved singer and entertainer. Her songs were used to boost troop moral during WWII. She was the "sweetheart of the forces" and a national treasure.
Ken nailed it there with “(the way you experience it) it’s a product of the time when you first heard it”. I was 17 when it released. The mother, the father, the school, the childhood and the loneliness and isolation checked all my boxes. I was a fan of pop music until this released. This album is quite flawed (as most all rock operas are). But it stands up still as one of the most important pieces of rock music ever recorded. Does it matter if it’s prog, or not? Or if it sounds like Floyd or not? It stands on its own. I have owned it on LP (twice), CD, Live version, DVD, Roger Waters version live on LP, CD, SACD. Still own them all. And was motivated to travel to Berlin in 1990 to see it performed there. Unforgettable. Great episode, I enjoyed all the various nuanced takes from all you guys.
I took time out, during this panel discussion, to listen to THE WALL in its entirety with headphones. I haven't heard it in one sitting for many, many years. My conclusion? It's a masterpiece! In my youth I considered this to be a difficult listening experience but now in my dotage (63), it becomes a pleasurable, even moving, experience. At the onset of the "tear down the walls" chant, I was almost moved to tears. Thank you Roger Waters.
Luis I totally agree with everything you said about going to school in the 70s in England like I did myself and its well represented. by this album, more power to your elbow
"The Wall" a progressive rock album? I say yes. - A definition: Progressive Rock is a sub genre of rock music that emphasizes experimentation, ambitious compositions, and concept-driven lyrics. It's characterized by complex phasings, improvisations, and musical virtuosity. Progressive rock often features sophisticated harmonies, multi-part songwriting, and mixed time signatures. It also typically includes expanded instrumentation, such as more than just guitar, bass, drums. I do agree that it's a work of art, on an epic and grand scale. I haven't played the entire album in more than 7 years! Time to spin the CD! 😉
Vera Lynn was not Pink's girlfriend. She was a legendary singer during World War II. Her nickname was "The Forces' Sweetheart". Her most famous song was "We'll Meet Again", which Roger references. In the song, he is asking whatever happened to her, because her songs of hope during the war became an anachronism afterwards, and she faded from favour. Vera lived into her 90s and was a British icon. One bizarre fact you might like to know about her is that she once shared a stage with Hawkwind. Strange but true.
Excellent show, gentlemen. I was looking forward to this episode since it was first announced. Like Luis, l love this album and it means a lot to me as well… but in a different way. I first purchased the album - on vinyl - while on vacation with my relatives in another state. I was away with my aunt, uncle and cousin in Pennsylvania. I specifically remember buying the record, on sale, since it was less expensive than in New York. The name of the small department store I purchased it in? “The Big N.” (I just looked it up and it’s possible by 1979 that it may have been renamed Ames. Whatever.) Since l was on vacation, l had my own money and purchased what l wanted. I recall my aunt asking me what I’d bought, when we were in the car, heading back to the hotel. I showed her the sealed double album and she began chastising me for my purchase. Somehow she knew that the lyrics to “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” contained the line, “We don’t need no education.” As a former school teacher, she began to lecture me on how it was a double negative and was influencing kids to speak incorrectly. As a very young teenager, l did not argue back for a few reasons. Number one, she was my aunt and therefore an authority figure. I was taught to respect my elders, so I did. Second, my aunt and uncle were nice enough to take me away, so why bite the hand that’s feeds. So to speak. And third, l had not yet heard the album so l didn’t know about the themes of antiauthoritarian bent lurking within its grooves. Plus, l was a timid wee lad at the time. Obviously, l wasn’t able to play the record on my stereo until I got home. Of course, l fell in love with the album… even though l was absolutely too young to truly comprehend all of the adult themes. I just like the cool music that I’d heard on FM rock radio. One thing that no one mentioned were the so-called racial slurs that appear on this particular platter. That was definitely a surprise to hear as a young-ish boy. Thank goodness my aunt did know about that! Obviously it pales in comparison with what would appear on later metal albums and gangster rap, but in 1979/1980 this was unusual to hear on an album. I love almost the whole album from start to finish. The only two tunes I can do without are both consecutive tracks on side three: “Vera” and “Bring the Boys Back Home.” I know they’re imperative to the storytelling aspect of The Wall, they just bore me. Pink Floyd’s The Wall is definitely in my top tier of their catalog. In fact, to me, it’s their last upper echelon release. Like most bands that split up, the sum total after the break never equals what came before. Just a fact of life. Keep up the exquisite content here. Cheers from The Big Apple. Rock Out and Prog On! Your pal and mine, ~ The Dynamic and Dynamite Davey Cretin from CRETIN CLASSICS.
The Wall was my entry into Pink Floyd, and I spent endless teenage years floating along on my waterbed listening to it with headphones. It is on of those "have to play the whole albums' for me, so it is a time investment that I can't always take, but every time It's worth it. One day trying to kill time when I was bored silly at work, I basically sang the entire album in my head. Love it.
The Wall is my favorite album of all time. I think it's brilliant and an emotional rollercoaster throughout. Highlights for me include Hey You , Nobody Home , Comfortably Numb , The Thin Ice & Young Lust.
If you guys liked Don’t Leave Me Now or One of My Turns, I’d ask “what is wrong with you people?” The mask gets pulled off and dysfunctions are on full display. The character Pink’s singing about how he needs her “to put through a shredder in front of our friends” or “to beat to a pulp on a Saturday night.” Pretty dark stuff, and Roger’s voice - he’s not a good singer- somehow seems perfect to deliver these horrific tales of domestic abuse. I love the album. Enjoyed the insights from the panel. Helped my commute today go quicker. Thank you.
Really enjoying these album study episodes and this one demonstrates the quality of this discussions. Thanks to all the panelists for their thoughts and the time spent relistening to this album in its entirety for this episode.
Lotsa love and respect for this album (and band). So much to take it in. What other album can inspire so much dissection? The journey that one takes from start to finish of this album is incredible. Thanks guys!
I think I agree with Ken's points on this one. You can easily imagine Waters and Ezrin hatching plans in the studio when everyone else has gone for the evening. The drum sounds are different, the keys are different and Waters's voice (by necessity) sounds more dramatic. Much of what made up the Floyd sound has changed, or gone altogether.
This was a high school album for me as well. I remember going to the movie theater for film debut in Hollywood... at the beginning, there was a theater placard which read "Thank You For Not Smoking". I've never heard so much laughter from an audience!
For Chad: Dame Vera Margaret Lynn CH DBE OStJ was an English singer and entertainer whose musical recordings and performances were very popular during World War II.
The wall is my 2nd favorite PF album right behind Animals. I think there's more an issue with Roger Waters than with Pink Floyd. You know, going all political and stuff. Which I love. Different strokes for different folks.
For me The Wall is my favorite Pink Floyd album. It has some of the most biting lyrics you'll ever hear & I agree with the guy that said it's Gilmour's best guitar work. The best concert I've ever seen was Roger Water's The Wall show a few years ago. I saw an orchestra play The Wall in its entirety including sound effects, kids choir, etc. & it was fantastic.
Thanks guys love the show. I had to give it a listen in its entirety after watching your commentary. This album still gives me the chills from front to back. It’s an amazing piece of artistry. like Luis I feel like this album can be talking about me. at times when you’re a young angry male you want to tell everyone to F off and build that wall around yourself. Isolate your from the rough parts of life and society. you then realize you need your family and friends. I think it’s totally a “pink Floyd” album. Roger had done all the lyrics on the last3 albums, so he was the mastermind by the wall. He gets shit on for his bad voice and lack of instrumental talent but I love his voice and creativity. There’s enough epic musicianship from Dave to call it Floyd.
Just a small correction/clarification to what Chad said about 'Vera' at 18:35 - the Vera in question is Dame Vera Lynn, a popular English singer during WW2 who had a hit with 'We'll Meet Again', so it's not about one of Pink's former girlfriends. Given the background of Pink's (and Roger Waters) father's death in WW2 and the chorus of 'bring the boys back home', it seems to be more about an adult Pink reminiscing about and regretting the loss of his father in war and wishing he had returned home, as in the song,
@@lahloonatic No problem, Dr. Nasser. Always appreciate you talking about Pink Floyd. Hope you guys do a discussion about Animals one of these days. Not unknown or underrated, I know, but it's a very interesting record.
We had a great rock station in Los Angeles called KMET 94.7. Our nighttime DJ, Jim Ladd, brought Roger Waters onto his show, "Innerview," to discuss every track on "The Wall." I heard this interview before seeing Pink Floyd play it "live" at The Los Angeles Sports Arena. I was 16 years old and completely blown away by the sounds and visuals!
Well... You guys got me to the point I want to listen the album all over again, the last time that happened is years ago 😄👍. Very enjoyable discussion, thank you 🙏
Loved this episode. I loved The Wall upon release but over the years, not as much as their other albums. But it's nice to see Luiz giving Gilmour some love!
Great album. Me and my friends would see the midnight showing of the movie at the Hellman theater in Albany. Great times. Luis analysis is incredible. Great episode guys.
Correction: you did not get hate after the Tales episode because panelists dislike an album that we like. That's all a matter of taste and nobody cares. You got pushback because one panelist chose to insult everyone who likes the album by suggesting that we like it for a stupid reason, namely that we like anything that has the Yes name on it. This is not remotely true of myself or of other Yes fans, or for that matter other fans of any prog band. I, for example, happen to think that Tales from Topographic Oceans is one of the greatest albums of all time and that Big Generator is one of the worst. We all like what we like and we can respect other people's preferences even when they differ from ours.
When I first heard it back in High School, I was not immediately sold. But after about a year or so, I grew to love it. I don't really pay attention to the concept aspects, but for me the music is great !!!
I understand where Luis is coming from. I was 20 when the Wall came out. It touched me very deeply. I was going through a lot as a young man at that time. The Wall has always been a personal favorite of mine. I've listened to it almost every month since it came out. I can relate deeply to The Wall. I to have the LP, cassette and CD of the Wall. I just picked up a Japanese pressing of the Wall. I'm 64 now and still am amazed by this work on the Wall. Looking forward to Gilmour's new solo album coming out in September. Thanks guys for a really go discussion on the Wall. Thank you......
Very decisive album. My opinion is where I was in my life when it came out. It still holds a special place for me. I was obsessed with this and the first Toto Lp, for different reasons. I know they weren’t released the same year but both hold qualities of rock/pop/progressive rock. Luis got it right when he said it was an Art Rock album. Really enjoyed this episode.
I love this album. I got it when I was 10 back in early 1980. I was already a fan of the band but this album did it for me. It has a different sound from previous albums but that doesn’t diminish its brilliance. While I agree some of the shorter passages aren’t great on their own, they are a part of the story. Great discussion.
Great job guys! This was a monster record to tackle. It is a great achievement but by the end of it the band was breaking up. As you guys mentioned, Gilmour is all over it. Waters may have written it but Gilmour took it from black and white into Technicolor and it was the last time that Waters worked closely with him and listened to him. Bob Ezrin also did a tremendous job producing. Like the majority of concept records it starts out very strong, but then starts fading near the second half. Although it has highlights in the second part, including hey you and run like hell. As a kid I never understood the song Vera…always felt out of place and killed the momentum. It is a very good record but you guys point out. It didn’t feel like a band record, more like Roger Waters and his supporting cast with the main actor David Gilmour. Keep up the great work guys.
Love the album! This is where I first got into Pink Floyd in the late 80s and it was actually through the movie and then the album. I actually love it entirely, including the filler moments. Gilmour is incredible on here for sure. From here, Floyd became a top 5 favorite band for me and still are. I also agree with Luis on the ending, I get it and love it.
I always called it the most perfect album ever made. That doesn't mean it's my #1 favorite (even though it's up there)....but it is pretty much perfect.
I was 15 when this came out. I first heard it in its entirety on the radio. I had to to out and immediately buy it. The album was must listening in my high school - everyone was obsessed with it. I know my original album was well worn, It was as much of a cultural phenomenon as "Thriller" would be a few years later. By 1981, I stopped listening to it. I still know it by heart to this day. It is hard to separate this experience with my modern, adult thoughts on the album. Yet, I listened to in several times in the last year, and I have fond memories of it as a part of my growing up. It holds up, but more as a decent rock curio of days gone by. In 1979 - it was 5 stars!
In the fall of 1982 I was a Sophomore in High School and Loved "The Wall". When the movie came out it really drove everything home in a way I could understand. I think we got high and went to see "The Wall" like 6 weeks is a row. IMHO the greatest concept album. The building of his emotional wall. Wonderful. "Vera" crushes me because not everybody would "Meet again some sunny day" after the War. My Mom,had a 45 of Vera Lynn's "We"'ll Meet Again". I had zero interest and suddenly I'm asking where is it so I could understand.
The Wall came out when I was a freshman in college. I loved Floyd and saw the Animals tour. We played The Wall constantly for 2 years and I got to see The Wall live on LI in 1980. For me, the album hasn't aged as well as others in their catalog. Still, it's a monumental achievement
Hello guys. This is the album that changed the way I listen to music. I lost my father when I was 7 and the lyrics really spoke to me . I was so immersed into it. I know this album upside down. I even wrote a thesis on symbolism, semantics about it during my English Literature studies in the 90s. Gilmour's guitar as always impeccable, Waters' lyrics emotional, cynical, great. It is a deep analysis of the individual and the different aspects of our personality. Everyone can identify with the changes in the protagonist's moods and attitude. I know that for a lot of people it has its ups and downs. It is understandable. For me, it will always be the album that helped through rough times. It is a unique statement. My top 3 album of all time. (Dark side and Wish You Here share the top) I saw the Roger Waters version in 2011 2012. Once indoors and once outdoors. Very contemporary. Louis nailed it.
You can’t force feed a masterpiece. I remember my teachers trying to get me to understand Van Gogh. Just didn’t register until I saw that texture staring me square in the face at an art gallery. Sometimes you need life events to bring you closer to something.
Luis, I like your metaphor of Waters and Gilmour as the 'heart and the brain' of Pjnk Floyd! I just can't decide which is which - I suspect Gilmour likes to think he is the heart with his emotive guitar playing but I think it is really Waters. P.S. really liked your analysis and summary of the album.
Those ‘bridge’ moments from the Wall actually made it so cinematic before they even decided to make the film. I agree with Pete that we get from an album what we take from it. He’s always made the point of we all have different opinions. That’s why I love this subset on your channel. I do like the way the album at the end leads you back to the beginning. That doesn’t happen much in concept albums. ‘Tommy’ the exception
Gotta agree 100 with Luis's assessment of the impact Gilmour had on this album... it's a guitar masterpiece. Not too mention his vocals... both guys sing on most songs, he sings with the pathos of the lyrics like he wrote then himself
I bought this album when I was 13 when it came out made a huge impact. A few years later I got to see Roger Waters with Eric Clapton at the Brendan Byrne arena and then at Radio City. The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking tour. Huge fan ever since.
Great album and great movie. When I was a child I would look at the vinyl art created by Gerald Scarfe and listen to the music that seemed great and pompous to me. Then I bought the cassette and the CD. I love it and I have many memories of this album created by Waters. Although it was the end of Pink Floyd. What followed was very disappointing.
Interesting how everyone is saying they didn’t listen to the album for some time. I have so say the same, but I’m inspired now to give it a new go. Always been more of a fan of Animals though because it’s not overplayed while the hits on The Wall are to me. That’s also the reason why I don’t listen to Dark Side of the Moon or Wish You Were Here anymore. Inspiring show by the way: love Luis’ contribution as always.
Roger's verbose, brooding and personal concepts might be off-putting to others, but I find them admirable. I couldn't write like that. It takes a bold person. And the ambition of the story brought the best out of Gilmour.
I totally enjoyed the episode. The WALL/7️⃣9️⃣ to me is An Epic/ Legendary/ one of a kind landmark album. Not my favorite Floyd, but it is still all of the above. IMO. Thanks Pete and co hosts for your time 👍💯
In a nutshell, Luis nailed it time and again throughout this episode because he obviously 'gets it'. If you want to get stoned and listen to Floyd then The Wall won't be your album of choice as all noodling and extended jamming have been ditched in favour of lean, focussed arrangements. For my money, The Wall features Water's lyrics, Gilmour's guitar (and even their dual vocals) at their peak, which when married with the overall concept and Scarfe's artwork creates something special. At the risk of sounding like Jon Anderson it's not just a collection of songs it's a stunning work of art.
Yep, an emotional album for me too. First heard it at 13 and by High School my friends and I had every note and lyric memorized. We would even mimic the character voices, etc. I’m too far gone to criticize it for anything but as a 50+ man I do agree that it’s essentially a Waters solo record. Look at me, caught red-handed showing feeeelings, showing feelings of an almost human nature! Great discussion gentleman!
I was at the Berlin 1990 show. Me and my father travelled there from Warsaw. I was about 18 years old. It was a huge surprise /because all of those guest stars who really didn't fit in there/ and I didn't like it at all. But it was an important show and everybody knew it.
Good discussion, everybody's participation was interesting and definitely worth listening to. I agree with Luis that without Gilmour it wouldn't have sounded as great. When The Wall came out I was in my first year of highschool, Pink Floyd was already one of my favorite bands and it blew my mind! I'm mexican, I live in Ensenada, not too far from the border but I didn't have a visa then so I couldn't go with my friends to Los Angeles to see Pink Floyd in 1980. But I got to see PF in '94 in San Diego and then Roger Waters' The Wall in 2012 also in San Diego. Both concerts were spectacular and very emotional to me. It's very hard for me to pick one favorite album by them but this is certainly one of them.
By that logic, Dark Side and WYWH are too because they are both Roger Waters conceptual projects with musical contributions from himself and the others.
The Wall is a masterpiece, plain and simple. There is a progression in Floyd's sound, Animals had a similar sound with lots of acoustic guitar, just like The Wall but still had Wright's synths sound from Wish You Were Here but on The Wall those synths are almost, not quite but almost none existent because Wright didn't contribute anything writing wise. One of the reasons Waters wanted him gone, along with the drugs thing, Waters didn't want to go through that trouble again. So Wright became a session musician for the tour. The lyrics are wonderful, the link with his loss of his father during the war is emotional and that would be a major thing, along with the politics of the day, on The Final Cut. Another wonderful lyrical album. Floyd died when Waters left. The later Gilmour led albums pale into insignificant compared to what went before. Only Waters has come anywhere near close to top quality Floyd with Amused to Death, another fantastic album. Gilmour's albums are middle of the road, sleep inducing boredom. The Wall is definitely a Pink Floyd album, so is The Final Cut. Waters was the main songwriter from Dark Side of the Moon until he left, so if The Wall is a solo Waters, then so are all the others.
As the writing credits on DSOTM and WYWH show, they were still much more of group efforts than The Wall; I don't think there's anything to argue about that. In other words, there's a difference in being the main songwriter and being the lone songwriter (practically). But maybe Gilmour contributed more to the music on The Wall than I had realized; Wright certainly didn't.
@@askoholli9306 Gilmour was involved in the production on The Wall as well as co-writing a few tracks. Gilmour was also involved in the production on The Final Cut but didn't like the way it was sounding so had his name removed from the credits but that along with the guitars he provided on that album, means he was involved more than he likes to let us think. His fallout with Waters is due to a lot of Gilmour wanting to take more credit than he deserves on those earlier albums, fuelled by his wife, as can be seen from some of her comments. It would have been better if they had just given up using the name Pink Floyd but Gilmour new that name meant more sales which meant more money. That's what Pink Floyd has become since, all about money and how much they can rip off their fans. You only have to look at the fight over Animals 5.1 sleeve notes that delayed that release, the DSOTM 50th pathetic releases and the continued delay in The Wall and Meddle 5.1 which Guthrie says we're all done years ago. Gilmour and Co are responsible for all that, not Waters.
I think the greatest stage for The Wall, was indeed the concert for the teardown of the Berlin Wall, that is the greatest manifestation and realization of that story!
Great episode and discussion gentlemen. All of you brought really good points. This has a compelling story attached to it. It's stronger as a whole than the sum of its parts. Would I listen to Bring The Boys Back Home alone? No Does it belong within the story of the album and help advance the narrative? Yes There's great musical moments on it, just not a strong piece of music in its totality (to me)
I listened to THE WALL The Movie by Alan Parker. I mean,I put it into the DVD ,put my headphones on and I must say it was much more interesting that the original album version. Especially when you pay attention to the ""additional"" tracks that were not included in the album. I really enjoyed it.
Tommy Vance did a very long interview with Roger Waters (early 80s) which I recorded off the radio at the time but since lost the cassette. Very in depth and explained a lot. incl the references to Syd Barrett etc..
Certainly fits my definition of genre-hopping prop when viewed as an entire indivisible unit of music (i.e. as an album). Individual tracks may not have that proggy backbone but that's like isolating a certain section or movement of a song from another album and not calling it prog because of that one section. My CD copy of The Wall from a couple decades ago is still the most nuanced-sounding, most dynamic, most 3-dimensional digital recording I own.
I love this record - was 17 when it came out. It's an epic for sure, but as was mentioned most epics have a bit of filler. Saw Roger's show once in 2010 (Oakland) and 5 times in 2011 (London & Manchester) and it was so massively visual, I saw different things each time. Great discussion - Cheers!
THE LIVE VERSIONS OF THE SONGS WITH RICHARD WRIGHT'S ORGAN AND PIANO MADE THEM WAY, WAY BETTER! I WISH HE HAD MORE OF A PRESENCE ON THE STUDIO RECORDINGS.
Am I right in thinking that Chad thought Vera Lynn was Pink's old girlfriend ? She was The Forces Sweetheart during the war. A singer of songs like 'We'll Meet Again' and 'Blue Cliffs Of Dover.' Soldiers abroad and loved ones at home hearing her on the radio, singing about being reunited...That song is a throwback to the war and the loss of his father, who never came home.
Many long time fans of prog argue that PF is not really prog - but the one album where they dabbled in prog was; "Wish You Were Here" - which many fans rank as their favorite from the band - and considering it had to follow Dark Side - they did very well with WYWH - obviously "The Wall" - ( whatever sub-genre it is ) - while it's less of a truly collaborative band record than it's predecessors - it is certainly no slouch at all - the sales numbers don't lie - and the concerts were simply legendary ..
I agree with Luis. David Gilmour is integral to this album. He does the heavy lifting. Roger's demo pales in comparison and that's why Roger's solo stuff doesn't really cut it. The difference is Gilmour. Roger is the lyrics and Roger is the thematic center and not just with this album. Roger's mindset permeates just about all of the Pink Floyd albums post Syd Barrett. Roger is all about highlighting the difficulties, the hurdles, the slings and arrows in life. And he draws them from his own fund of knowledge and experience. His answer is that those trying moments must be overcome. He has overcome them and by extension so can we. The guy is 80 and still performing. The Wall is an example of how not to handle the difficulties life throws at you. And that poster child is Syd Barrett. What could have been had Syd had the intestinal fortitude to reject self-medicating away his reality and living out his life as a recluse. That's what a Pink Floyd album is. The Wall is an extension of Meddle, Dark Side, WYWH and Animals. Same themes, great lyrics and awesome guitar.
Grew up with this record, saw it in the theater when the film first came out and it was the soundtrack for my early teens. I understand it's greatness and its influence. But i think I heard it too many times, I'm completely burnt out on it and probably never need to hear it again.
Show idea: SoT inspirations. Where various members of the Prog Seat, HVS, Review Crew (and all the others) talk about a particular album they were introduced to by a fellow SoT cast member, perhaps what exactly inspired them to check it out etc. Something that has become a particular favourite, maybe even something from a band or style of music they previously disliked.
Luis is spot on with his assessment. Ken not so much. Luis’ perspective hits the nail on the head and he has listened to it. People always crap on it and say it’s bloated, too long blah blah! It’s a concept and story. And it plays out as so. It is a masterclass album, and it’s Gilmour’s album as much as it’s Rogers. Gilmour still plays those songs live.
@@kengolden666what I took from your assessment was that Gilmour was just serviceable or being used as a tool here. To me, it obvious that Gilmour’s passion and conviction comes through here on this album more than it does on Animals. His delivery and inflections and his soloing was methodical and biting. I hear Gilmour just as much as Waters. No one could play like that just being a tool and for that reason I have to say that this is a a Pink Floyd album and not a Waters solo album with a backing band. That’s the only thing sir I disagreed with!
@@randytaylor220I believe that Waters controlled the recording with an iron fist. It is his concept and he wrote almost the entire album. Gilmour's playing is spectacular. I'm certain he had creative input but listening to it so many years later I don't hear it as a collaboration of PF members. I think Gilmour and Mason happily let Waters drive the bus. Listen to The Wall, The Final Cut, and then Pros And Cons. You can hear the musical continuity. Listen to The Wall and work your way backwards. Very different. As I said in the video, its a great album but nowI hear it as a Waters solo album. The writing was already on the wall...
@@lasercd7851 I just hear Gilmour coming through very distinct and earnestly hear. And when your playing with that type of creativity and instendity then your hearts in it. If that’s the case then your part of the writing process. Gilmour’s best soloing is on this album and I think he was truly invested in this musically. There’s no doubt that this is Waters’ creation but, we’d be foolish to think he could’ve pulled this off without the others. And that’s why this album sounds the way it does. It still has that group effort sound opposed to Final Cut, etc. We all hear it differently, but the truth is Gilmour still enjoys playing the songs off this album. I bet he’s proud of his achievement with those songs.
Best album discussion I’ve seen on the channel in a while. The smaller panel is perfect for this type of episode.
Absolutely ! One of the best ITPS episode ever !
Agreed
im 33 years old, from Argentina. My dad used to play this entire album when i was very young. Still listening to it today. I think it's not th perfect or the best PF album but it is still a fantastic piece of art, and proves the genius Roger Waters was at that time. I love this album so much. Takes me on a trip to that nostalgic and well known place deep in my soul. Love you Dad.
❤
Great discussion guys. Luis Nasser is awesome. I could listen to him articulate and pick things apart anytime.
Kudos Luis!
I agree with Luis that one of the album’s greatest strengths is the lyrics - they’re extraordinary. The “When I was a child, I caught a fleeting glimpse” verse just cracks my heart open every time.
Back when The Wall came out I used to set aside time every couple of months to listen to the entire album in one sitting. I looked forward to playing it loud on the best equipment. I had just bought a large system when I was in the navy in the late 70’s. I had 300 watt floor speakers and I could make the walls shiver !!
Those are great memories !!
Thanks guys for reminding me !!
My brother-in-law was one of the head roadies for the Wall concerts in Dortmund and London. He actually helped build and then tear down the wall each night on stage. He said it was one of the most elaborate and complicated concerts he ever worked, and he worked many.
Luis, your explanation of the album moved me because now I know I'm not alone. It's a masterpiece. Thank you, brother.
I will add that The Wall is quintessentially a very British album with its deep cultural references so many of the deep nuances have been lost to most of the panel e.g in reference to Chad's comments, Vera is not a reference to his girlfriend but Dame Vera Lynn, a beloved singer and entertainer. Her songs were used to boost troop moral during WWII. She was the "sweetheart of the forces" and a national treasure.
Indeed. And the lyrics reference her most famous song, "We'll Meet Again".
Yeah that got me. I was wondering what he was talking about. It’s all about Ver Lynn. Bring the boys back home. Lol
I love the comment Ken made a few episodes back: life is short and I want to hear all the music I can
Ken nailed it there with “(the way you experience it) it’s a product of the time when you first heard it”.
I was 17 when it released. The mother, the father, the school, the childhood and the loneliness and isolation checked all my boxes. I was a fan of pop music until this released. This album is quite flawed (as most all rock operas are). But it stands up still as one of the most important pieces of rock music ever recorded. Does it matter if it’s prog, or not? Or if it sounds like Floyd or not? It stands on its own.
I have owned it on LP (twice), CD, Live version, DVD, Roger Waters version live on LP, CD, SACD. Still own them all. And was motivated to travel to Berlin in 1990 to see it performed there. Unforgettable.
Great episode, I enjoyed all the various nuanced takes from all you guys.
Ive said this is my favourite album of all time many times cant wait for this show
Mother , do you think they’ll try to break my balls ⚽️ ? Lol. Enjoy day. Logan👍💯
I took time out, during this panel discussion, to listen to THE WALL in its entirety with headphones. I haven't heard it in one sitting for many, many years. My conclusion? It's a masterpiece! In my youth I considered this to be a difficult listening experience but now in my dotage (63), it becomes a pleasurable, even moving, experience. At the onset of the "tear down the walls" chant, I was almost moved to tears. Thank you Roger Waters.
Luis I totally agree with everything you said about going to school in the 70s in England like I did myself and its well represented. by this album, more power to your elbow
Great analysis by Luis 🤘
Y’all are the real deal. Cheers!
"The Wall" a progressive rock album? I say yes.
- A definition: Progressive Rock is a sub genre of rock music that emphasizes experimentation, ambitious compositions, and concept-driven lyrics. It's characterized by complex phasings, improvisations, and musical virtuosity. Progressive rock often features sophisticated harmonies, multi-part songwriting, and mixed time signatures. It also typically includes expanded instrumentation, such as more than just guitar, bass, drums.
I do agree that it's a work of art, on an epic and grand scale. I haven't played the entire album in more than 7 years! Time to spin the CD! 😉
Absolute masterpiece....For many years my favorite PF album...
Vera Lynn was not Pink's girlfriend. She was a legendary singer during World War II. Her nickname was "The Forces' Sweetheart". Her most famous song was "We'll Meet Again", which Roger references. In the song, he is asking whatever happened to her, because her songs of hope during the war became an anachronism afterwards, and she faded from favour. Vera lived into her 90s and was a British icon.
One bizarre fact you might like to know about her is that she once shared a stage with Hawkwind. Strange but true.
Vera Lynn Pink’s girlfriend? 😂 😂😂🤣🤣
Eh? The song and context of Vera is clearly about the singer of We’ll Meet Again
Excellent show, gentlemen. I was looking forward to this episode since it was first announced. Like Luis, l love this album and it means a lot to me as well… but in a different way.
I first purchased the album - on vinyl - while on vacation with my relatives in another state. I was away with my aunt, uncle and cousin in Pennsylvania. I specifically remember buying the record, on sale, since it was less expensive than in New York. The name of the small department store I purchased it in? “The Big N.” (I just looked it up and it’s possible by 1979 that it may have been renamed Ames. Whatever.)
Since l was on vacation, l had my own money and purchased what l wanted. I recall my aunt asking me what I’d bought, when we were in the car, heading back to the hotel. I showed her the sealed double album and she began chastising me for my purchase. Somehow she knew that the lyrics to “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” contained the line, “We don’t need no education.” As a former school teacher, she began to lecture me on how it was a double negative and was influencing kids to speak incorrectly. As a very young teenager, l did not argue back for a few reasons. Number one, she was my aunt and therefore an authority figure. I was taught to respect my elders, so I did. Second, my aunt and uncle were nice enough to take me away, so why bite the hand that’s feeds. So to speak. And third, l had not yet heard the album so l didn’t know about the themes of antiauthoritarian bent lurking within its grooves. Plus, l was a timid wee lad at the time.
Obviously, l wasn’t able to play the record on my stereo until I got home. Of course, l fell in love with the album… even though l was absolutely too young to truly comprehend all of the adult themes. I just like the cool music that I’d heard on FM rock radio. One thing that no one mentioned were the so-called racial slurs that appear on this particular platter. That was definitely a surprise to hear as a young-ish boy. Thank goodness my aunt did know about that! Obviously it pales in comparison with what would appear on later metal albums and gangster rap, but in 1979/1980 this was unusual to hear on an album.
I love almost the whole album from start to finish. The only two tunes I can do without are both consecutive tracks on side three: “Vera” and “Bring the Boys Back Home.” I know they’re imperative to the storytelling aspect of The Wall, they just bore me.
Pink Floyd’s The Wall is definitely in my top tier of their catalog. In fact, to me, it’s their last upper echelon release. Like most bands that split up, the sum total after the break never equals what came before. Just a fact of life.
Keep up the exquisite content here.
Cheers from The Big Apple.
Rock Out and Prog On!
Your pal and mine,
~ The Dynamic and Dynamite Davey Cretin from CRETIN CLASSICS.
The Wall was my entry into Pink Floyd, and I spent endless teenage years floating along on my waterbed listening to it with headphones. It is on of those "have to play the whole albums' for me, so it is a time investment that I can't always take, but every time It's worth it. One day trying to kill time when I was bored silly at work, I basically sang the entire album in my head. Love it.
The Wall is my favorite album of all time. I think it's brilliant and an emotional rollercoaster throughout. Highlights for me include Hey You , Nobody Home , Comfortably Numb , The Thin Ice & Young Lust.
This was great discussion. Thank You gentlemans.
If you guys liked Don’t Leave Me Now or One of My Turns, I’d ask “what is wrong with you people?” The mask gets pulled off and dysfunctions are on full display. The character Pink’s singing about how he needs her “to put through a shredder in front of our friends” or “to beat to a pulp on a Saturday night.” Pretty dark stuff, and Roger’s voice - he’s not a good singer- somehow seems perfect to deliver these horrific tales of domestic abuse. I love the album. Enjoyed the insights from the panel. Helped my commute today go quicker. Thank you.
Blessings to all at SOT
Really enjoying these album study episodes and this one demonstrates the quality of this discussions. Thanks to all the panelists for their thoughts and the time spent relistening to this album in its entirety for this episode.
I love Luis's connection to Floyd. I went to an english style boarding school so I relate to it in a similar way.
'Vera' refers to British singer Vera Lynn, popular during WWII. Her song 'We'll Meet Again' is referenced in the lyrics.
Absolutely fascinating discussion.
Such respect to you Mr. Nasser. If you don't do motivational speaking, I think you should. I know you teach, another great choice. ✊
Lotsa love and respect for this album (and band). So much to take it in. What other album can inspire so much dissection? The journey that one takes from start to finish of this album is incredible. Thanks guys!
I think I agree with Ken's points on this one. You can easily imagine Waters and Ezrin hatching plans in the studio when everyone else has gone for the evening. The drum sounds are different, the keys are different and Waters's voice (by necessity) sounds more dramatic. Much of what made up the Floyd sound has changed, or gone altogether.
This was a high school album for me as well. I remember going to the movie theater for film debut in Hollywood... at the beginning, there was a theater placard which read "Thank You For Not Smoking".
I've never heard so much laughter from an audience!
Great discussion guys. This has been a great remedy after reminding me of TFTO the last time!! Thank you one and all.
Ken Golden - "The way we listen to these records, it's really a product of the time when you [first] heard it". Bullseye!
For Chad: Dame Vera Margaret Lynn CH DBE OStJ was an English singer and entertainer whose musical recordings and performances were very popular during World War II.
Great discussion. An early favorite of mine and while I don't listen to it often anymore, it is and will always remain a great PF album.
My 10th favourite PF album...
Ha
I own a lot of PF lps n cds. Im a real fan. I own 4 copies of Meddle on vinyl and one cd version. I do not own a copy of the Wall anymore.
The wall is my 2nd favorite PF album right behind Animals.
I think there's more an issue with Roger Waters than with Pink Floyd.
You know, going all political and stuff.
Which I love.
Different strokes for different folks.
For me The Wall is my favorite Pink Floyd album. It has some of the most biting lyrics you'll ever hear & I agree with the guy that said it's Gilmour's best guitar work. The best concert I've ever seen was Roger Water's The Wall show a few years ago. I saw an orchestra play The Wall in its entirety including sound effects, kids choir, etc. & it was fantastic.
Thanks guys love the show. I had to give it a listen in its entirety after watching your commentary.
This album still gives me the chills from front to back. It’s an amazing piece of artistry. like Luis I feel like this album can be talking about me. at times when you’re a young angry male you want to tell everyone to F off and build that wall around yourself. Isolate your from the rough parts of life and society. you then realize you need your family and friends.
I think it’s totally a “pink Floyd” album. Roger had done all the lyrics on the last3 albums, so he was the mastermind by the wall. He gets shit on for his bad voice and lack of instrumental talent but I love his voice and creativity. There’s enough epic musicianship from Dave to call it Floyd.
Just a small correction/clarification to what Chad said about 'Vera' at 18:35 - the Vera in question is Dame Vera Lynn, a popular English singer during WW2 who had a hit with 'We'll Meet Again', so it's not about one of Pink's former girlfriends. Given the background of Pink's (and Roger Waters) father's death in WW2 and the chorus of 'bring the boys back home', it seems to be more about an adult Pink reminiscing about and regretting the loss of his father in war and wishing he had returned home, as in the song,
Luis was so into this album that he actually BECAME The Wall at 14:50
I apologize for the erratic internet connection. It did work out in a funny way
@@lahloonatic No problem, Dr. Nasser. Always appreciate you talking about Pink Floyd. Hope you guys do a discussion about Animals one of these days. Not unknown or underrated, I know, but it's a very interesting record.
I think it was all the praise you were keeping on it it didn't understand that that was Luis 😂😂😂
We had a great rock station in Los Angeles called KMET 94.7. Our nighttime DJ, Jim Ladd, brought Roger Waters onto his show, "Innerview," to discuss every track on "The Wall." I heard this interview before seeing Pink Floyd play it "live" at The Los Angeles Sports Arena. I was 16 years old and completely blown away by the sounds and visuals!
Jim Ladd also features on Radio K.A.O.S.
@@erics5846 Yes! After "The Wall" interview, Jim and Roger became and remained good friends until Jim Ladd passed away in 2023.
Well... You guys got me to the point I want to listen the album all over again, the last time that happened is years ago 😄👍. Very enjoyable discussion, thank you 🙏
Great discussion, very interesting.
Luis Nasser speaks from my soul. Got this album in 1979 on cassette when I was 12, since then it’s just part of my DNA.
David’s vocals are also amazing on this record,
Loved this episode. I loved The Wall upon release but over the years, not as much as their other albums. But it's nice to see Luiz giving Gilmour some love!
Great episode.Prog on.
Great album. Me and my friends would see the midnight showing of the movie at the Hellman theater in Albany. Great times. Luis analysis is incredible. Great episode guys.
Correction: you did not get hate after the Tales episode because panelists dislike an album that we like. That's all a matter of taste and nobody cares. You got pushback because one panelist chose to insult everyone who likes the album by suggesting that we like it for a stupid reason, namely that we like anything that has the Yes name on it. This is not remotely true of myself or of other Yes fans, or for that matter other fans of any prog band. I, for example, happen to think that Tales from Topographic Oceans is one of the greatest albums of all time and that Big Generator is one of the worst. We all like what we like and we can respect other people's preferences even when they differ from ours.
I think you took it a bit to personal and seriously...
When I first heard it back in High School, I was not immediately sold. But after about a year or so, I grew to love it. I don't really pay attention to the concept aspects, but for me the music is great !!!
I understand where Luis is coming from. I was 20 when the Wall came out. It touched me very deeply. I was going through a lot as a young man at that time. The Wall has always been a personal favorite of mine. I've listened to it almost every month since it came out. I can relate deeply to The Wall. I to have the LP, cassette and CD of the Wall. I just picked up a Japanese pressing of the Wall. I'm 64 now and still am amazed by this work on the Wall. Looking forward to Gilmour's new solo album coming out in September. Thanks guys for a really go discussion on the Wall. Thank you......
Very decisive album.
My opinion is where I was in my life when it came out.
It still holds a special place for me.
I was obsessed with this and the first Toto Lp, for different reasons. I know they weren’t released the same year but both hold qualities of rock/pop/progressive rock.
Luis got it right when he said it was an Art Rock album.
Really enjoyed this episode.
I love this album. I got it when I was 10 back in early 1980. I was already a fan of the band but this album did it for me. It has a different sound from previous albums but that doesn’t diminish its brilliance. While I agree some of the shorter passages aren’t great on their own, they are a part of the story. Great discussion.
Great episode guys! I love the album study format!
Great job guys! This was a monster record to tackle. It is a great achievement but by the end of it the band was breaking up. As you guys mentioned, Gilmour is all over it. Waters may have written it but Gilmour took it from black and white into Technicolor and it was the last time that Waters worked closely with him and listened to him. Bob Ezrin also did a tremendous job producing. Like the majority of concept records it starts out very strong, but then starts fading near the second half. Although it has highlights in the second part, including hey you and run like hell. As a kid I never understood the song Vera…always felt out of place and killed the momentum. It is a very good record but you guys point out. It didn’t feel like a band record, more like Roger Waters and his supporting cast with the main actor David Gilmour. Keep up the great work guys.
Love the album! This is where I first got into Pink Floyd in the late 80s and it was actually through the movie and then the album. I actually love it entirely, including the filler moments. Gilmour is incredible on here for sure. From here, Floyd became a top 5 favorite band for me and still are. I also agree with Luis on the ending, I get it and love it.
I always called it the most perfect album ever made. That doesn't mean it's my #1 favorite (even though it's up there)....but it is pretty much perfect.
I was 15 when this came out. I first heard it in its entirety on the radio. I had to to out and immediately buy it. The album was must listening in my high school - everyone was obsessed with it. I know my original album was well worn, It was as much of a cultural phenomenon as "Thriller" would be a few years later. By 1981, I stopped listening to it. I still know it by heart to this day. It is hard to separate this experience with my modern, adult thoughts on the album. Yet, I listened to in several times in the last year, and I have fond memories of it as a part of my growing up. It holds up, but more as a decent rock curio of days gone by. In 1979 - it was 5 stars!
My favorite PF record. Bought it when it came out. It’s a masterpiece, and it’s NOT a Roger Water solo album. David is all over this.
In the fall of 1982 I was a Sophomore in High School and Loved "The Wall". When the movie came out it really drove everything home in a way I could understand. I think we got high and went to see "The Wall" like 6 weeks is a row. IMHO the greatest concept album. The building of his emotional wall. Wonderful. "Vera" crushes me because not everybody would "Meet again some sunny day" after the War. My Mom,had a 45 of Vera Lynn's "We"'ll Meet Again". I had zero interest and suddenly I'm asking where is it so I could understand.
The Wall came out when I was a freshman in college. I loved Floyd and saw the Animals tour. We played The Wall constantly for 2 years and I got to see The Wall live on LI in 1980. For me, the album hasn't aged as well as others in their catalog. Still, it's a monumental achievement
Hello guys. This is the album that changed the way I listen to music. I lost my father when I was 7 and the lyrics really spoke to me . I was so immersed into it. I know this album upside down. I even wrote a thesis on symbolism, semantics about it during my English Literature studies in the 90s. Gilmour's guitar as always impeccable, Waters' lyrics emotional, cynical, great. It is a deep analysis of the individual and the different aspects of our personality. Everyone can identify with the changes in the protagonist's moods and attitude.
I know that for a lot of people it has its ups and downs. It is understandable.
For me, it will always be the album that helped through rough times. It is a unique statement. My top 3 album of all time.
(Dark side and Wish You Here share the top)
I saw the Roger Waters version in 2011 2012. Once indoors and once outdoors. Very contemporary.
Louis nailed it.
You can’t force feed a masterpiece. I remember my teachers trying to get me to understand Van Gogh. Just didn’t register until I saw that texture staring me square in the face at an art gallery. Sometimes you need life events to bring you closer to something.
Not the shining star in my PF pantheon but every time I play it I enjoy it from beginning to end. Great show everyone.
Fantastic discussion. The Wall, Piper at the Gates of Dawn and Animals are my top Three ; in no particular order.
I agree with Ken, when you like me 68 years old you listen to the music differently because you grew up with the bands, as I did with Yes.
Luis, I like your metaphor of Waters and Gilmour as the 'heart and the brain' of Pjnk Floyd! I just can't decide which is which - I suspect Gilmour likes to think he is the heart with his emotive guitar playing but I think it is really Waters. P.S. really liked your analysis and summary of the album.
Those ‘bridge’ moments from the Wall actually made it so cinematic before they even decided to make the film.
I agree with Pete that we get from an album what we take from it.
He’s always made the point of we all have different opinions.
That’s why I love this subset on your channel.
I do like the way the album at the end leads you back to the beginning.
That doesn’t happen much in concept albums. ‘Tommy’ the exception
Gotta agree 100 with Luis's assessment of the impact Gilmour had on this album... it's a guitar masterpiece. Not too mention his vocals... both guys sing on most songs, he sings with the pathos of the lyrics like he wrote then himself
I bought this album when I was 13 when it came out made a huge impact. A few years later I got to see Roger Waters with Eric Clapton at the Brendan Byrne arena and then at Radio City. The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking tour. Huge fan ever since.
Great album and great movie. When I was a child I would look at the vinyl art created by Gerald Scarfe and listen to the music that seemed great and pompous to me. Then I bought the cassette and the CD. I love it and I have many memories of this album created by Waters. Although it was the end of Pink Floyd. What followed was very disappointing.
Interesting how everyone is saying they didn’t listen to the album for some time. I have so say the same, but I’m inspired now to give it a new go. Always been more of a fan of Animals though because it’s not overplayed while the hits on The Wall are to me. That’s also the reason why I don’t listen to Dark Side of the Moon or Wish You Were Here anymore. Inspiring show by the way: love Luis’ contribution as always.
Roger's verbose, brooding and personal concepts might be off-putting to others, but I find them admirable. I couldn't write like that. It takes a bold person. And the ambition of the story brought the best out of Gilmour.
I totally enjoyed the episode. The WALL/7️⃣9️⃣ to me is An Epic/ Legendary/ one of a kind landmark album. Not my favorite Floyd, but it is still all of the above. IMO. Thanks Pete and co hosts for your time 👍💯
Like Luis said an Electric guitar cream dream! Great great album love it to bits
@@logancollins7097 👍💯
@@logancollins7097 / Luis was alllll over it last night. Top notch 👍💯
In a nutshell, Luis nailed it time and again throughout this episode because he obviously 'gets it'. If you want to get stoned and listen to Floyd then The Wall won't be your album of choice as all noodling and extended jamming have been ditched in favour of lean, focussed arrangements. For my money, The Wall features Water's lyrics, Gilmour's guitar (and even their dual vocals) at their peak, which when married with the overall concept and Scarfe's artwork creates something special. At the risk of sounding like Jon Anderson it's not just a collection of songs it's a stunning work of art.
The lyrics to the long version of Empty Spaces were in the album, but the song was cut down. When I heard it in the movie it was amazing.
Yep, an emotional album for me too. First heard it at 13 and by High School my friends and I had every note and lyric memorized. We would even mimic the character voices, etc. I’m too far gone to criticize it for anything but as a 50+ man I do agree that it’s essentially a Waters solo record. Look at me, caught red-handed showing feeeelings, showing feelings of an almost human nature! Great discussion gentleman!
I was at the Berlin 1990 show. Me and my father travelled there from Warsaw. I was about 18 years old. It was a huge surprise /because all of those guest stars who really didn't fit in there/ and I didn't like it at all. But it was an important show and everybody knew it.
Good discussion, everybody's participation was interesting and definitely worth listening to. I agree with Luis that without Gilmour it wouldn't have sounded as great. When The Wall came out I was in my first year of highschool, Pink Floyd was already one of my favorite bands and it blew my mind! I'm mexican, I live in Ensenada, not too far from the border but I didn't have a visa then so I couldn't go with my friends to Los Angeles to see Pink Floyd in 1980. But I got to see PF in '94 in San Diego and then Roger Waters' The Wall in 2012 also in San Diego. Both concerts were spectacular and very emotional to me. It's very hard for me to pick one favorite album by them but this is certainly one of them.
This is absolutely a PF album. Many bands have principal songwriters.
By that logic, Dark Side and WYWH are too because they are both Roger Waters conceptual projects with musical contributions from himself and the others.
The Wall is a masterpiece, plain and simple. There is a progression in Floyd's sound, Animals had a similar sound with lots of acoustic guitar, just like The Wall but still had Wright's synths sound from Wish You Were Here but on The Wall those synths are almost, not quite but almost none existent because Wright didn't contribute anything writing wise. One of the reasons Waters wanted him gone, along with the drugs thing, Waters didn't want to go through that trouble again. So Wright became a session musician for the tour.
The lyrics are wonderful, the link with his loss of his father during the war is emotional and that would be a major thing, along with the politics of the day, on The Final Cut. Another wonderful lyrical album.
Floyd died when Waters left. The later Gilmour led albums pale into insignificant compared to what went before.
Only Waters has come anywhere near close to top quality Floyd with Amused to Death, another fantastic album.
Gilmour's albums are middle of the road, sleep inducing boredom.
The Wall is definitely a Pink Floyd album, so is The Final Cut.
Waters was the main songwriter from Dark Side of the Moon until he left, so if The Wall is a solo Waters, then so are all the others.
As the writing credits on DSOTM and WYWH show, they were still much more of group efforts than The Wall; I don't think there's anything to argue about that. In other words, there's a difference in being the main songwriter and being the lone songwriter (practically). But maybe Gilmour contributed more to the music on The Wall than I had realized; Wright certainly didn't.
@@askoholli9306 Gilmour was involved in the production on The Wall as well as co-writing a few tracks. Gilmour was also involved in the production on The Final Cut but didn't like the way it was sounding so had his name removed from the credits but that along with the guitars he provided on that album, means he was involved more than he likes to let us think. His fallout with Waters is due to a lot of Gilmour wanting to take more credit than he deserves on those earlier albums, fuelled by his wife, as can be seen from some of her comments.
It would have been better if they had just given up using the name Pink Floyd but Gilmour new that name meant more sales which meant more money. That's what Pink Floyd has become since, all about money and how much they can rip off their fans. You only have to look at the fight over Animals 5.1 sleeve notes that delayed that release, the DSOTM 50th pathetic releases and the continued delay in The Wall and Meddle 5.1 which Guthrie says we're all done years ago. Gilmour and Co are responsible for all that, not Waters.
I think the greatest stage for The Wall, was indeed the concert for the teardown of the Berlin Wall, that is the greatest manifestation and realization of that story!
Great show. I love "The Wall" and it's prog to me. But I prefer "Meddle" thru "Animals".
I was seventeen when it was released,boy that was a long time ago... I'm old 61
Great episode and discussion gentlemen. All of you brought really good points.
This has a compelling story attached to it. It's stronger as a whole than the sum of its parts.
Would I listen to Bring The Boys Back Home alone? No
Does it belong within the story of the album and help advance the narrative? Yes
There's great musical moments on it, just not a strong piece of music in its totality (to me)
That’s it!
I listened to THE WALL The Movie by Alan Parker. I mean,I put it into the DVD ,put my headphones on and I must say it was much more interesting that the original album version. Especially when you pay attention to the ""additional"" tracks that were not included in the album. I really enjoyed it.
Pink Floyd are an enigma to me. I love Meddle, DSotM, WYWH and Animals, can't stand much else including the Wall.
Tommy Vance did a very long interview with Roger Waters (early 80s) which I recorded off the radio at the time but since lost the cassette. Very in depth and explained a lot. incl the references to Syd Barrett etc..
Certainly fits my definition of genre-hopping prop when viewed as an entire indivisible unit of music (i.e. as an album). Individual tracks may not have that proggy backbone but that's like isolating a certain section or movement of a song from another album and not calling it prog because of that one section.
My CD copy of The Wall from a couple decades ago is still the most nuanced-sounding, most dynamic, most 3-dimensional digital recording I own.
I love this record - was 17 when it came out. It's an epic for sure, but as was mentioned most epics have a bit of filler. Saw Roger's show once in 2010 (Oakland) and 5 times in 2011 (London & Manchester) and it was so massively visual, I saw different things each time. Great discussion - Cheers!
THE LIVE VERSIONS OF THE SONGS WITH RICHARD WRIGHT'S ORGAN AND PIANO MADE THEM WAY, WAY BETTER! I WISH HE HAD MORE OF A PRESENCE ON THE STUDIO RECORDINGS.
Why are you yelling?
IM STUCK ON ALL CAPS ON MY KEYBOARD, LOL
Am I right in thinking that Chad thought Vera Lynn was Pink's old girlfriend ? She was The Forces Sweetheart during the war. A singer of songs like 'We'll Meet Again' and 'Blue Cliffs Of Dover.' Soldiers abroad and loved ones at home hearing her on the radio, singing about being reunited...That song is a throwback to the war and the loss of his father, who never came home.
Many long time fans of prog argue that PF is not really prog - but the one album where they dabbled in prog was; "Wish You Were Here" - which many fans rank as their favorite from the band - and considering it had to follow Dark Side - they did very well with WYWH - obviously "The Wall" - ( whatever sub-genre it is ) - while it's less of a truly collaborative band record than it's predecessors - it is certainly no slouch at all - the sales numbers don't lie - and the concerts were simply legendary ..
Good Show.
I agree with Luis. David Gilmour is integral to this album. He does the heavy lifting. Roger's demo pales in comparison and that's why Roger's solo stuff doesn't really cut it. The difference is Gilmour. Roger is the lyrics and Roger is the thematic center and not just with this album. Roger's mindset permeates just about all of the Pink Floyd albums post Syd Barrett. Roger is all about highlighting the difficulties, the hurdles, the slings and arrows in life. And he draws them from his own fund of knowledge and experience. His answer is that those trying moments must be overcome. He has overcome them and by extension so can we. The guy is 80 and still performing. The Wall is an example of how not to handle the difficulties life throws at you. And that poster child is Syd Barrett. What could have been had Syd had the intestinal fortitude to reject self-medicating away his reality and living out his life as a recluse. That's what a Pink Floyd album is. The Wall is an extension of Meddle, Dark Side, WYWH and Animals. Same themes, great lyrics and awesome guitar.
My favorite Floyd album my dad was the one who got me into these guys.
Love Pink Floyd, Sick to death of 'The Wall' Never again.
Grew up with this record, saw it in the theater when the film first came out and it was the soundtrack for my early teens. I understand it's greatness and its influence. But i think I heard it too many times, I'm completely burnt out on it and probably never need to hear it again.
Show idea: SoT inspirations. Where various members of the Prog Seat, HVS, Review Crew (and all the others) talk about a particular album they were introduced to by a fellow SoT cast member, perhaps what exactly inspired them to check it out etc.
Something that has become a particular favourite, maybe even something from a band or style of music they previously disliked.
They have kind of done this with album homework assignment, where some members of HVS hated the album,and others became lifelong fans.
Ken, they did 5 shows at Nassau Coliseum from my recollection (for the Wall shows).
Luis is spot on with his assessment. Ken not so much.
Luis’ perspective hits the nail on the head and he has listened to it.
People always crap on it and say it’s bloated, too long blah blah!
It’s a concept and story.
And it plays out as so.
It is a masterclass album, and it’s Gilmour’s album as much as it’s Rogers.
Gilmour still plays those songs live.
Tell me what I got wrong.
@@kengolden666what I took from your assessment was that Gilmour was just serviceable or being used as a tool here.
To me, it obvious that Gilmour’s passion and conviction comes through here on this album more than it does on Animals.
His delivery and inflections and his soloing was methodical and biting.
I hear Gilmour just as much as Waters.
No one could play like that just being a tool and for that reason I have to say that this is a a Pink Floyd album and not a Waters solo album with a backing band.
That’s the only thing sir I disagreed with!
@@randytaylor220I believe that Waters controlled the recording with an iron fist. It is his concept and he wrote almost the entire album. Gilmour's playing is spectacular. I'm certain he had creative input but listening to it so many years later I don't hear it as a collaboration of PF members. I think Gilmour and Mason happily let Waters drive the bus. Listen to The Wall, The Final Cut, and then Pros And Cons. You can hear the musical continuity. Listen to The Wall and work your way backwards. Very different. As I said in the video, its a great album but nowI hear it as a Waters solo album. The writing was already on the wall...
@@lasercd7851 I just hear Gilmour coming through very distinct and earnestly hear. And when your playing with that type of creativity and instendity then your hearts in it. If that’s the case then your part of the writing process.
Gilmour’s best soloing is on this album and I think he was truly invested in this musically.
There’s no doubt that this is Waters’ creation but, we’d be foolish to think he could’ve pulled this off without the others. And that’s why this album sounds the way it does. It still has that group effort sound opposed to Final Cut, etc. We all hear it differently, but the truth is Gilmour still enjoys playing the songs off this album. I bet he’s proud of his achievement with those songs.