this is THE BEST video you've made thus far, I really enjoyed your genuine surprise at the end there. A full album listen of Pink Floyd's "Animals" would be a worthy endeavor, as well as Meddle and Obscured by Clouds. Pink Floyd is its own ever evolving genre, unclassifiable and timeless.
Listen to PIPERS AT THE GATES OF DAWN, MORE , SAUCER FULL OF SECRETS, and OBSCURED BY CLOUDS You don't know Pink Floyd until you know Syd Barrett. Syd was big on psychedelic/ progressive rock. Pink Floyd went "pop" rock after he left (got kick out) and made DSOTM. IMHO Floyd went progressively down hill after 1974. (Pun intended)
@@augustinewestley7310 Syd was only on Piper and one song on Saucerful. There's 5 years and 5 albums between him leaving and them doing Dark Side, but I would argue that Piper (plus the singles they released before it) was them at their most "pop" anyway.
Absolutely!!!, But I think they hated the problems associated with carrying and orchestra to the concerts. I loved this masterpiece, for me pretty ahead of it's time.
@DnB and Psy Production which is wierd because ummagumma exists. But I think it's because with ummagumma they were just screwing around and just did whatever because they could which is why the give it more leeway, but Atom Heart Mother was something where they knew what they were doing and the whole thing played out how they wanted it to, but it's too simple for them. No lyrics, no rock and roll type style, not even any real psychedelic sounds, it's just an orchestra. I imagine they don't like it because it's too out there even for them, it doesn't even have a Pink Floyd type sound. It's just not Pink Floyd
I went to the "Pink Project" tribute band in the Netherlands who did a PF history tour. To my huge surprise and pleasure they also performed Atom Heart Mother. As I thougt I was more or less alone in liking this music (to avoid calling it a song), but both the audience, and you guys reacting here, proved me wrong in that respect. Feels like I'm part of a greater group now. Btw my 18 year old son became a PF fan after hearing the Pink Project tribute band and also: very much likes to listen to this partical music as well as to the other timeless greats. @Original Pink Floyd members: although it may not be your most valued track, countless people enjoy exploring it. So thank you so much for this.
I think it almost makes it better. There’s no excuse for this song existing and them not liking it makes it even more enigmatic and interesting. I used to listen to this song daily when I drove to work and it’s probably my favorite Floyd track.
Atom Heart Mother is the most underrated album of all time imho. It's the best collision between Classical music, Psychedelic rock and Musique concrète ever recorded. Pink Floyd at it's most experimental.
They were quite consistently 'art house' back in those days, collaborating with Antonioni, Roland Petit and Barbet Schroder on various films and ballets. Those were the days. Then they got old and rich.
@Richard Peters cannot say what's the most experimental among the two... but for sure these two albums are the two that captured me in the fabulous Pink Floyd's world ... the live part of Ummagumma it's a little in the "we miss Sid Barret stile... who we are?" in the studio part we have a phenomenal richard wright... in Atom Heart Mother we have the first "non Sid Barret" true version of Pink Floyd (in the suite at least ... in the B side the "Sid style" is coming back).... but definitely these two albums are masterpieces... ironically these albums (both) are the two that the band doesn't love too much... but for me (I repeat) these are masterpieces! only one unanswered question .... who is Pink? 😂😂 I think that all in the band (not excluding Sid) are "Pink" all together ....
@@provaassemblea8063 I think that those albums between 68 and 71 are Roger, Rick, Dave and Nick trying to find their own sound without Syd so they were experimenting with a lot of sounds to get that.
I’ve been a Pink Floyd fan for years but for some strange reason I never listed to the album before. That changed the other day, and I’ve listed to it nonstop for 3 days. The discovery of new music is truly one of life’s great joy’s.
"for some strange reason". I think we all have those gaps. I never listened to any Radiohead after hail to the thief, despite them being one of my favourite bands.
Pink Floyd members did the demo of this song and gave to Ron Geesin to add brass and strings. He went full orchestra on the number and the group was quite displeased with the result. Even today, Gilmour and especially Roger Waters don't have the best opinion of the track. Which I think is a mistake for I consider it, one of Pink Floyd best and most engaging track. I personally love it.
It dawned on me just now, with Mr. Helvering's analysis, that this is Ron Geesin's piece with Pink Floyd as guest artists. Have enjoyed it from the first listen back when it came out.
I can understand why they're upset (esp the start) - Pink Floyd have amazing music and its lost in this - like a beautiful girl's face who's slapped a ton of makeup on. Interesting how AHM is showing their growth phase to build up to Echoes, DSM, Animals etc.....
@@rw-xf4cb probably the worst take I've ever heard. If you listen to the band only live versions of this song it contains none of the drama or character that Ron was able to add to this piece. This suite is one of Pink Floyd's finest and a beautiful crossroads between the psychedelic early floyd to progressive main floyd. The experimentation in early pink floyd.
I first listened to this on Christmas Eve 1970 while lying in a drunken heap under my parents Christmas tree. It's been my favourite Floyd album ever since.
"That's a cool progression y'all." If there is ONE thing that is never mentioned enough, it's that Rick Wright brought some intense jazz/music theory chops to the band. Literally every album almost contains some wonderful progressions penned by Wright that add a cerebral weight to Pink Floyd (each member contributed their own STRONG and unique, within the band, strengths.) More Wright epic professions can be found on: Saucerful of Secrets - Saucerful of Secrets Atom Heart Mother - this; Summer '68 Meddle - Echoes Dark Side - Great Gig in the Sky Wish You Were Here - I THINK some parts of Shine On Animals - Sheep --then Roger Waters froze him out of The Wall--
@@jacksonpayne3477 I would argue that Gilmour's improvising and melody writing approaches simply complimented Rick's classical training and understanding. Sometimes, I will concede, Gilmour would single upon an accidentally compelling harmonic sequence (Dogs, Young Lust, Fat Old Sun, etc.)
@@mss11235 so did rick at times. He openly admits that Us and them was spawned on accident. If you want to diminish Gilmour’s understanding of things you can, but Gilmour knows what he is doing. His melodic improvisation is proof of it. The first solo to comfortably numb for example has a lot of interesting harmonic things in it that it would be hard to stumble upon accidentally. They both compliment each other. I think dismissing it as he comes up interesting things on accident is rather silly to say. They both did that at times, but both know what they are doing. Is Rick better trained, yes.
@@jacksonpayne3477 I didn't mean to diminish Gilmour. (Hugely impressed that David seemed to quickly, seemingly on his own get quite adept with modal mixture (the Echoes jam, SOYCD, all over Animals and the Wall) which, to me, is pretty impressive and useful skill for a non-student to grasp. Really cranks up the intrigue whilst jamming)
@@jacksonpayne3477 I guess I just meant to empathize that Rick tended to be able to write some delightful cheese progressions and that, though Gilmour maybe wouldn't intentionally think of penning chords like those AHM/SOS progressions, he still could come up with great melodic content within them.
Not just the Atom Heart Mother suite, but the whole album is amazing. "If" is painful, but beautiful, in its minimalism. Fat Old Sun is a trippy nostalgic ballad. AND... Summer '68, my all time favorite Floyd song, have that bittersweet taste of long gone brief relationship that to this day brings good memories of a time you know will not come back. I know AHM is not considered one of Pink Floyd´s best works, but it speaks to me like no other. To all Floyd fans around the world, I'm drinking to you! Cheers from Brazil, mates!
You hit the nail on the head there. I've no idea why Summer '68 isn't one of their most famous songs; it barely even gets a mention when discussing AHM with other Floyd fans. Those trumpets are epic: imagine what a proper, modern remaster could achieve with that song...
There's a massively long live version of Fat Old Sun on a BBC transcription disk introduced at the venue by John Peel; it's well worth a listen if you can track it down. Must be one side of an album's worth in length with a lot more work on it that the album one; great harmonies throughout by Dave and Rick. They also did a finished version of Embryo then, whereas the one released on "Picnic" and later compilations is unfinished.
What is so interesting in these reactions from Doug is that he has never heard them before whereas many of us were listening to these 40-50 years ago. Normal for us but Doug's reactions are priceless.
This is probably my favourite Pink Floyd song, along with Dogs. It’s sad that the band doesn’t like it themselves. It’s the most epic they ever sounded.
agree with that totally. When I first heard this I thought ... wow wow wow that is a rock band that knows how to expand a soundscape. This is the nursery of Floyd creativity ... it is a shame that they seem not to see that.
It's also, arguably, the only time they ventured into 'Prog Rock' territory, too. All their other work is 'Art Rock', which is a very important distinction. For Prog Rock, 'Atom Heart Mother' is a pretty good piece, but I for one am glad they never stayed in that territory and resolutely stuck with Art Rock instead.
Nick Mason has been playing the pre-Dark Side music with his band for the past few years. They would play the song If into this song then back into If.
Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets plays a bit from this album, including from the Atom Heart Mother Suite. They are coming back to the States in 2022. I already have tix for January.
To this day, AHM remains my favorite Pink Floyd album. For several months I was influenced by this album. I spent nights improvising on a piano with this music in mind. It also reminds me that one day (in 1972), my best friend left our village to settle in Montreal. I had written a song whose music borrowed from the style of AHM and where I wrote this sentence: "we will see each other again in 1000 years". She died two months later.
This is an absolutely classic track for hardcore Pink Floyd fans, but quite unknown from the mainstream crowd. It's before they made it real big obviously, but quite a masterpiece to me. I loved how you were intrigued, puzzled, amazed and fascinated all at the same time. If you really never heard any Pre-Dark Side Floyd, i suggest you try 'One of These Days' and 'Echoes' from their 1971 Meddle album. It's up there with the cream of their catalog.
The titles if the sections might have helpd: "Atom Heart Mother" I. "Father's Shout" II. "Breast Milky" III. "Mother Fore" IV. "Funky Dung" V. "Mind Your Throats Please" VI. "Remergence" Atom Heart Mother is the group's least favorite album but it got the attention of critics because of the unusual arrangement. Side note, My brother was resting when I put this on. He isn't a big fan of Prog Rock. When the album side had finished, he asked: "What was that, the Soundtrack to Ben Hur?"
@@TheMACnator ok in reality that's their second least favorite album... the first is Ummagumma (a total mess and confusion in theirs words) but for me these are two masterpieces
@@provaassemblea8063 do you have a source of any of them saying it's their second least favourite? I mean I know that they didn't like the usage of the brass and (partly) the choir in the title track but I've never read about them saying that they dislike the album that much
The soundtrack of my awakening in life as a music listening adolescent. My best friend died at 17. His parents wouldn’t honour his wish to play this at his funeral. Few days later we went to his grave with a little cassetteplayer with a tiny speaker. So amazed to see your surprise and fabulous ear analysis of a piece of music I remember every note of without the ability to name any of them.
What a beautiful way to commemorate your friend. I know that never in a thousand years would I be able to convince my parents as to why I find this piece so incredibly powerful and moving, and I'd be quite grateful to have friends who did understand.
The funny thing is Pink Floyd used to hate this álbum, but we, their fans, love it... I used for showing my students a lot of things about arrengement... To me, it is a precious piece
Interestingly, this was Alan Parsons second gig as engineer in the Abbey Road studios. The first was Abbey Road (Beatles). He was 22! Quite a start to his career!
Parsons made the realized recordings as icons of art. Stereo tended to be rather so-so, circa 1970, and for years on. Parson's engineered productions, of that early ear: still dazzle.
Atom Heart Mother is my favorite piece by Pink Floyd. I think it's severely underrated and underappreciated (even by themselves) - but then again, each to their own. Oh, and I'm a huge PF fan. They've made quite a lot of incredible music. It's just that this piece gives me something I've never experienced before or after. I'm not in any way a professional, I don't know anything about keys, chords or anything, but I *do* know what I enjoy listening to. Actually, it's kind of funny because you stopped and went back several times during my absolute favorite part of the song. It was very, very interesting to watch a professional listen to this for the first time and try to make sense of what they do ... and possibly why it works. As you probably realize, I have no idea about any of that. I just love the music. I've never seen anyone react to Atom Heart Mother before today and it was actually a great experience to go along with you on this ride. What I love about AHM is the way they integrate the weird psychedelic parts with pure melody. At its worst it hurts the ears, but then it evolve and change into beautiful melodies. The best example of it is actually around the time when you stopped the video and went back. It's always progressing. It never stops being interesting. Oh, and it's the first time they did a full LP side into one piece, but if you want to explore even earlier PF then there are several pieces that leads into this. Like "Saucerful of secrets" or "Astronomy Domine". Many of these early songs were actually better live than on record. Probably hard to find on youtube though, but the user HDPinkFloyd has a *lot* of material on their channel. I know that many people love the really early Syd Barrett era, but that's not my thing. I love what they progressed to afterwards. Thank you for doing this. Great work! You've gained a new subscriber and I will definitely check out a lot your earlier reactions!
I don't believe the reviewers actually read their comments most of the time but I would love to tell this knowledgeable fellow to not go back and listen to early Pink Floyd. I'm referring to the stuff that Syd wrote, (and here's where I'll get slammed) please, I'm begging you! LOL.. and here is where I am happy to find a like-minded individual, one not unconditionally bound to praise the alleged faultless founder. Ok, let's consider this review. Done by a pro it opens my eyes, umm, ears, and allowed me to hear with new ears. When AHM first came out I couldn't get into it. Now Doug would like to know what we think about it...it took me years to revisit the album. The disjointed sounds, or "ONLY noise" as some of my Pink Floyd hater friends would call it, was just a touch into the disturbing realm. People often relate the music of PF to be only enjoyed when high on drugs, but even back then (I'm 70 now) drugs took away some of the deeper connections I would be feeling when hearing the Floyd. Concerts were attended straight because they took me on a trip on its own. With maturity a great deal of the music, especially lyrics, can change their meanings to most individuals. Doug, you referred to death here so I need to requote David Gilmour when he said their music evokes feelings of mortality, as well as having specific personal interpretations by the listeners. I feel very thankful to run across this review, almost like finding a box of the ugliest chocolates you've ever seen, but finding a huge surprise within by having other worldly flavors. With having its honest impacts, the noted being facial markings during the delicious confusion! Very enjoyable and entertaining.
@@lilRadRidinHood I don't really get why people "slam" anyone who don't have the same *opinion* in music as themselves. I agree wholeheartedly with you regarding the Barrett era of PF, it just doesn't appeal to me at all. That said, I don't think anything less of anyone who disagrees. That's their opinion - their taste - and they're entitled to it. That's the beauty of it, we're all unique in our taste of music and there is no right or wrong. Regarding listening to music while under the influence - whether alcohol or "herbs" - it can enhance the experience for some kinds of music, but it would be weird if that was "required" to enjoy it. Listening to PF it's enough for me to just close my eyes, let the music encompass me and enjoy the experience. No drugs required! :) You're probably right that Doug don't read every comment on here, but I would guess he reads a few and skims the most popular ones. When a channel is small enough, it's fair to assume they read most of them, but when it gets too popular that has to be more and more of a chore that borders on impossible. If you haven't already, check out his reaction to Shine on You Crazy Diamond from yesterday. :) Great stuff. I kind of assumed that would be next!
@@lilRadRidinHood Atom Heart Mother is my favorite Floyd track, and album i think. Though I also really enjoy Piper's at the Gates of Dawn. I'm not so big on most things past Dark Side honestly, more followed Waters after that, and got into his solo stuff. I find Piper's just a fun silly album, some of the best out of '67 ... I also really like the Stone's '67 album Their Satanic Majesty's Request, but don't care for anything else they did after that. To each their own eh ;)
@@lilRadRidinHood I see Floyd as being two utterly different bands. Pre Syd and post Syd. I like them both equally, but they're two totally different bands.
Bike is great, Julia Dream, The gnome, The scarecrow, Interstellar Overdrive, Astronomy Domine too. Syd's solo Dark Globe is wonderful. So, while I agree AHM (and Echoes) is where the band truely discovers itself, the early Floyd offers clues to what they would become too. Even Syd's weirdness.
This song was stuck in my head as I was in a pre-operative room getting dressed and prepped for a craniotomy to remove a brain tumor earlier this month. The music, particularly the intro encapsulated the moment for me. Made me feel stripped of everything I had ever carried with me in life up until that point. Suspended in air, and totally vulnerable, but free. It was neither sad nor joyful. It was more so just powerful in a very natural way, much like the force of life itself, or in this case, an Atom Heart Mother. Not in our control. Only there to be experienced.
Best wishes to you & what a beautiful comparison! Sounds totally accurate to me. Giving up one’s angst/fear/emotions is not defeat, but often great triumph.
I was about 16 when this came out. Came home from a date, a little stoned. Turned off the lights, turned on the radio and this came on. I had one of the first "Quadrophonic" systems. I was not sure if I was really hearing it outside my head or if it was inside... but it changed my taste in music forever. You just can't listen to something like Sonny & Cher after this... I don't remember who, but at about the 6 minute mark, someone said to me on a later hearing, "It sounds like they are burying the Pharaoh..." and yes, that is what comes to my mind for most of that passage now. Thousands of men marching across the desert under the stars holding the torches high to the pyramid entrance...
Fun fact, Stanley Kubrik wanted to use this music as part of the soundrack for "A clockwork orange", but the band refused. i cant help but to think about that movie every time i hear this.
This was the album that fully paved the way for the absolutely essential Meddle. Really enjoying your reactions, Doug, may just pour an Edradour 10 year old and join you. Thanks for all your energies and rather engaging personality.
Yes, Doug, if you truly haven't listened to any Floyd before "Dark Side of the Moon", give a listen to "Echoes", the second side of "Meddle". Trust me, you will need an herbal supplement for this one.
Yes, now I don't have to type that! Thanks! The sublimely constructed Echoes would not be the masterpiece that it is without this weird experimental phase PF went through played out on Atom Heart Mother.
This album made me realise (back when it came out) that there's so much more you can do with music, besides the usual chart songs. It changed my attitude towards music forever. As if a wall was removed and where there was boring, repetitive wallpaper before, I now saw an endless world of wonder and adventure.
It is my favorite non-classical album. For me, it is a representation of the cycle of life: a lot of up and downs; loudness and quiet; chaos and order; and closure with the fate at the end;. Love it
For me, it represents a dream: 1. Father's Shout: the dreamer drifts off to sleep 2. Breast Milky: the dream begins with memories of childhood transitioning to memories of war. 3. Mother Fore: the dreamer wanders through a foggy landscape of confusion and depression. 4. Funky Dung: the dreamer is now in a bright chamber with happier memories (summertime, first love, coming of age). 5. Mind Your Throats Please: the Nightmare sequence. The dreamer encounters bloody toys, otherworldly creatures, and a malevolent authority figure (represented by the announcer's voice). 5. Remergence: the dream is recapped, and the dreamer wakes up.
15:20 The dorian Im-IV progression was a Pink Floyd trademark throughout most of their best known albums. Add a 9th in the middle of the Im and a 7th and occasional 4th suspensions to the IV and you have the harmonies for a quarter of Meddle and half of Dark Side of the Moon. It's a wonderful progression for those long, dreamy, Melancholic, bluesy solos both Gilmour and Wright loved. 16:05 I'm not sure but I think that's an organ, not strings. Wright had this rather unusual setup with two organs, a Farfisa and a Hammond, each with its unique sound and I think he's playing with one hand on each there, the percussive chords on the Hammond and the string like long notes on the Farfisa.
Hi Grethe! Thanks for this answer. As a guitar player I often hear musicians say that Gilmour is a pentatonic player. Of course he does use it a lot. But I came to discover that the use of that dorian modulation and soloing is even more Gilmour/Wrightish. English is not my first language. I am from the Netherlands. As you seem to know the art of music... What is the word Doug uses around 8:45 ? I am trying to unravel this chord progression. Thank you!
@@jj4325 I'm not sure what word you mean but he's talking about third relationships (or mediants if you want to use posh words). The chord progression is the same as for the cello solo - Em - Am - G(7) - Bm - G#m (or Abm if you like) - Bb - Eb - Am - B - Em. Doug explains it very well around 25:58 and I've over-analyzed it in another comment here. Keep in mind that there is no "correct" textbook answer to the analyzis of the progression. You know sometimes chords have two meanings and Pink Floyd is playing with this ambiguity here. --- Edit, Wikipedia's articles about mediants aren't exactly the best descriptions I've seen but here are two links: Mediants in general: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediant Chromatic mediants: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_mediant These are old tricks all classical, pop and rock musicians are very familiar with of course (even though they don't necessarily know the fancy words for it). What makes the Atom Heart Mother progression so fascinating is the way those old tricks are used. I think that is the key to all great progressive music. It's not about inventing something from scratch, it's about taking the old and transform it into something brand new.
@@tessjuel If you play the progression on a guitar it's not that weird.There are 2 sections in this progression. Em-Am-G-(sorry Dough no seventh here)Bm. A lot of songs have this progression. And the second section Abm-Bb-Eb again often used,and to get back to the 1 just 4 and 5 . Interesting is that Gilmore,I'm sure this section was composed on a guitar,has put the 2 often used progressions right one after the other.
@@johnvanderauwera8722 The 'weird' thing in this, is the modulation. The 1-4-5 progression is not that weird. But then it steps up to Abm or G#m, which is not in the Em diatonic.
They became mainstream after dark side of the moon. Prior to that, they were a psychedelic underground act. Atom heart mother is typical of that earlier period. The other older stuff is quite varied, however. I recommend echoes from meddle!
@@vdggmouse9512 It charted, honestly, in spite of what they were doing, not because of it. They were an underground band that made it big. That doesn't mean they weren't underground, and the OP is right -- you can't really call them "mainstream" until TDSOM. I mean, does "Ummagumma" strike you as the work of a band trying to court commercial success?
@@chuckhamilton7814 Chuck - they had two charting singles with Syd - they released bizarre material before Atom Heart Mother that if you want to call 'underground' - OK by me. But Atom Heart Mother was a number 1 album - so whether or not a number 1 album means 'mainstream' - well we don't need to go back and forth on that. To me - from then on - they couldn't be considered an underground group. I'm in my 60's in Los Angeles - many of my friends were into it from the get go. And it hit 55 on Billboard. While I do not think they were an underground band ever again - what I'll say is this - Pink Floyd never lost their cred with the underground. Is that fair? And here in LA - PF was already pretty highly regarded even before DSOTM. I certainly agree that after DSOTM they were not only mainstream - they were up there with the big boys from then on.
I remember listening to this for the first time in 1970. I was at school and a group of us took the LP to the music room to listen to it in the dark with full stereo on. It blew our 15 year old minds.
I actually saw this tour 50 years ago tomorrow! I remember this because I saw it with a great friend who was celebrating his birthday. He scored the tickets for us and that was the by far the most amazing experience I had at the time. He passed a few years ago, think of him every time I hear this, RIP.
Your rewiew was very very good, and for knowledge sakes , i sujest you to to start from ummagumma, then meddle's Echoes and the atom heart mother again
My older brothers used to play this in 1970. I was about 11. This piece of music was the sound that drew me into ‘real’ music and not the pablum my parents listened to. I know every note and sound of that piece. It’s part of me. I have waited over 50 years to have someone go through it like you and explain so many things that fascinated me as a kid, why I played the bass, and helped me understand what I’ve been hearing. Thank you. I feel resolved.
Oddly enough this was my gateway song into Pink Floyd. I had this tune impressed into my teenage mind and it holds its place as one of the most influential pieces of music in my life. Thanks for the great reaction video - I enjoyed it a lot!
Same. Heard this album when I was just discovering 70's prog rock. It was my first Pink Floyd experience and I absolutely loved it! Then eventually I got to their more famous, accessible stuff (post-Meddle) and, unlike most people, lost interest.
@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119 Well, I guess neither of us are 'most people' 🤔 I got into them with Ummagumma when I was 12 years old. Fascinated, I quickly moved through Atom Heart Mother and Meddle, felt a bit let down with Obscured By Clouds, a bit more with DSOTM, a bit more still with Wish You Were Here, then Animals/The Wall were competing with punk and new wave: The Jam, Magazine, Wire, XTC, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Talking Heads, etc, etc. I still listen to AHM and Meddle but rarely anything else from them. I listen to more early Genesis now than PF. It was great to hear this again though.
@@digoryjohns2018 Funny you should mention post-punk. I think bands like Talking Heads, Magazine, Japan, PIL, Pere Ubu, etc. are somewhat the heirs of early 70's prog rock; not in terms of musicianship and song format, but experimentation and adventurousness.
Atom Heart Mother has been raising the hairs since it's release. Musically the most adventurous of ALL the Pink Floyd albums, I was thrilled at you honing in on those incredible chord progressions and the achingly beautiful melody on the cello. The musique concrete interlude with the discordant chords is courtesy of the Abbey Road MKII mellotron, the same one The Beatles used! (and which we restored and sold to Macca). I remember a documentary on Ron Geesin at the time of release and he was a fascinating and avant-garde composer. His contribution to AHM is stunning. Incidentally, Nick Mason overdubbed the drums after the event and at times they are not quite locked in. I've spent 30 years restoring, servicing and building mellotrons. How about a top ten of the best tracks featuring the beast. Best, Martin Addenda - Pink Floyd owned a 'tron of their own which appeared on Saucerful of Secrets so it maybe a toss up but Abbey Road had one available.
AHM is Music, is Art, is emotion. It brings you to tears, pushes you into chaos and darkness and then takes you and pulls you up to light and hope.. we can get out of chaos and find our way again. It's a paint where you can find your emotions hidden in there.. just look.. no ... just listen into it and let you drown and transported by the flow.
I thought this would be an enjoyable reaction. A lot of people seem to be impressed by Echoes, but I find this a much more interesting piece of work, both intriguing and melodically satisfying. I'm not usually a fan of rock bands recording with orchestras, but this is one occasion where it works really well. A year before this came out Deep Purple had performed Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra which took the idea of combining rock and classical musicians even further. The merits and success of the work are open to question but it would be worth a listen, if not a reaction, because it does occupy its own peculiar niche in music history.
This is definitely more dated than Echoes, and it has a more quixotic and mercurial approach. But Echoes is a higher lever of dovetailed beauty between the abstract and dream state.
Just two days ago I was listening to Atom Heart Mother, thinking that Doug would probably never react to this because it is so long and so... different. I still wondered what his comments would be. So when the video came up in my feed, I hit the like button even before starting it. Besides, it is great to see that other people also like this amazing masterpiece, because nobody I personally know does. Thank you, Doug, for the video, and thank you, community, for proposing it.
Well, I first listened to this piece when I was eleven, back in 1971, so I can say know it well. That's why I was eager to see your reaction as a classical composer. I really wanted to go inside your mind and feel what you were feeling. So I managed to get a full glass of single malt scotch (an Islay one, by the way) and I tried to sip it at the same time your did with yours. Scotch helped a lot. I was delighted with your reaction, and I agree with you: This album is a UFO . The single and unique time in history where a rock band, playing along with an orchestra, managed to let the orchestra in front and kept just backing it. A true masterpiece.
VERY envious of you getting to hear Atom Heart Mother for the first time! This piece feels in retrospect like a dry run for "Echoes", the epic compositon from their next album Meddle, which many - well, me at least - would argue is their crowning musical achievement.
Fun fact: "Atom Heart Mother" is supposed to sound like a soundtrack to a movie that doesn't exist. Hence why you hear horses and gunshots and explosions and motorcycles early in the piece.
So that makes sense because one time on acid we listened to this track while watching Seinfeld and it worked so well, especially when Kramer barged through the door
It's atmospheric Doug. That's the only way I can describe it. Metaphorically and quite literally it keeps changing and evolving into something else......constantly. It's a brilliant piece of music.
The two sections after 12:50 are really indicative of what was/would become Floyd’s signature early 70’s sound; particularly Mason’s Tom runs and Waters bass.
I’ve listened to this track hundreds, if not thousands of times. It’s a long progression evoking different emotions, some of sorrow, as if a village is reeling from a devastating blow by an aggressor, to triumph, with the chorus exclaiming a victory cry over a hard won battle. The band, the orchestra, and the chorus, all weave themselves into a web of emotionally charged musical harmony, to the point that jibberish sounds better than actual words with a literal meaning. Rather, the meaning of the song, of the performance, can only be understood in the performance itself, and not read in the lyrics or in a critique of the performance. Thanks for reacting to Atom Heart Mother.
Those little quick guitar moments around 21:45 were SO trippy to listen to stoned. They sounded like an abstracted version of the earlier parts of the song being played from inside a car driving by with its windows rolled down. Somehow it's the distilled essence without sounding exactly like it. If that makes any sense.
I have been a lifelong Pink Floyd fan, and just by chance came across your page. Atom Heart Mother is the first album that provides clues as to the band that Pink Floyd would start to become. Prior to this album (and throughout it), one could hear the band moving away from the pop/psychedelic sound that their first guitarist and vocalist, Syd Barrett, created for the band. This was the beginning of the Roger Waters and David Gilmour era of the band, with Waters creating much of the band's future and familiar sound in his writing, while Gilmour's blues rock guitar led the way for an ethereal sound, with huge bends in his playing, that are still unrivaled in music today. This is the song I most enjoy watching people while they listen to it. Some people love it, while others detest its sound. Personally, as a person who grew up around music, I find it fascinating In all transparency, I am also a bit biased, as Pink Floyd is my favorite band of all time to this day. If you listen to the rest of the album, it is radically different; however, as some others have suggested, if you move to the next few albums, such as "Meddle," you will see how they finally arrived at their signature sound by the time they recorded Dark Side of the Moon.
"Atom Heart Mother" and I were both released into the world 1970. I discovered the record when I was about 14 or 15, at which time Pink Floyd was already my favorite band, and I had all but worn out the grooves in the big five Floyd records: "The Wall", "DSOM", "Animals", "Wish You Were Here" and "The Final Cut". A hot summer's night, the warm glow of a moon-lit radio dial, dialed in on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, eyes closed, mind open, headphones securely adorned. With the drop of a needle, my DNA was forever altered that night. This was Pink Floyd's first true masterpiece; everything they had done had led them to that space, and everything they did afterward stemmed from it. For me, it evoked vivid, colorful movies in my head, and it really turned me on to the idea that rock n roll could be proper art that could connect with people in a meaningful way. It WAS more than just "rock n roll all night, and party every day". Sure, it's always been that too, but this was SO much more. I never realized the levels of musical success that I dreamed of then. Most of us don't. But this record, along with The Wall and DSOM in particular, DID change the way I approached songwriting in a profound way, where each song becomes a piece of a larger theme on a record. I kinda dig the idea of having that conceptual connection to such a pivotal moment in the "becoming" of Pink Floyd; conceived and birthed in 1970! ☮🕊
I wouldn't include "The Final Cut" as one of the "big" Pink Floyd albums. It should really be the Big Four. If I had to pick a fifth "big" album I would probably go with Meddle
As a life long professional musician ( I'm 72) my first listen to Atom Heart Mother was a revelation. I was herbally enhanced at the time so it was double mind blowing and still one my faves. Glad you picked this to showcase. Keep it up 😊
For a wider context, all of the early Floyd albums up through 1972 are beautiful and have their unique charm. I think you will find the Ummagumma studio stuff a bit naive but an important building block in their progression. Live Ummagumma is stunning in quality and must be heard. Two key items to explore that will allow this album to make more sense: 1) PF were recording a soundtrack to a film 'Zabriske Point' in late 1969 from which the 'Funky Dung' bass line and other components to AHM were developed. By very early 1970 the basic instrumental track sans the orchestra were completed, and the band benefited greatly from the Zabriskie Point studio time even though only a few numbers were selected for the film. The songs/outtakes/demos from these sessions are numerous but of high quality and I love them very much - they range from country to spacey to rocking to avant garde. 2) Ron Geesin and Roger Waters had very recently collaborated on film work for the movie "The Body" which has a bunch of odd classical ditties along with some acoustic songs from Waters, all for a quirky movie about bodily functions. This was largely the impetus to see what Geesin could do for the aforementioned instrumental track from early 1970. Geesin was given 1/6 of the royalties for the AHM album side. All in all 1968-1972 compromise my favourite PF period in the band's history because they were always challenging themselves and their audiences.
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!! This is so similar topically to Terrapin in that it was a big departure, had orchestral accompaniment not approved of by the band, is generally very appreciated by fans, but hated by the band. I *LOVE* AHM, myself. BTW, Floyd's '70 and '71 BBC performances are absolutely 100% must listens. A+ versions of AHM, Echoes, and others. So dark, so spacy, so perfect.
Doug; nice to see how surprised you were while listening to this piece of music! I heard this for the first time as a young boy back in 1971 and I was 13 years old. I remember how surprised I was and that evening I heard this music it was something I never heard before, such strange moods and I was sucked into the music and it took me to some kind of atmosphere I was never been before. It was a very special moment and from then this record was one of my favorite albums. Now after more than 50 years I still listen to it every now and then, it's very special for me.
"Oddly", I bought Floyd's 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th albums (Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, Meddle and Dark side of the Moon) when they came out (yes, I'm THAT old!), but could not get into the odd-numbered albums. Floyd have a habit of using interesting chord progressions - mainly thanks to Rick Wright's jazz influences. Nice reaction, thanks.
@@nightwishlover8913 I know it's up for debate about what constitutes prog rock, but I would definitely include Pink Floyd in that category, and usually see them mentioned as such in discussions about the genre. I'm curious why you don't think they are?
@@jeremey9818 Not speaking for NightwishLover, but I think the argument would be that Floyd was more art rock. In any case they were quite different from the other prog bands given they were more tied to their psychedelic origins and as they evolved moved more towards focusing on textures, mood, tone, soundscapes, etc. (very similar to what would become post rock) rather than the quasi-classical inspirations of ELP, Yes, Van der Graaf, etc. The PF guys really weren't in that same virtuosic realm. One could say they were "progressive" as in genuinely pushing rock forward into new territory. It's just down to how you define the genre.
Love it! I actually saw them play this in 1974 without any orchestral accompaniment and it was still epic. Two other pre-Dark Side Of The Moon albums I’d highly recommend are: Meddle (specifically the song Echoes) and the album, Ummagumma. More of their more avant-garde side. Thanks for the great video! Cheers! - Tim
When i first heard this back in the day i was tripping on LSD, i was lying on a friends bed with a speaker on either side so i got the full stereo effect, and i can only say it completely blew my mind.
As far as I recall, this is almost the 'forgotten' Pink Floyd album. My older brother had it, way back when, not long after it came out. I loved the cover, so I played it.... and suddenly, the Beach Boys were a thing of the past! A proper life changing piece of music. Indeed, the whole album. It felt like being connected to someone.... they'd used music to say or express something, and I got it. Guess I might have been 10 years old at the time. Watching you react to it for the first time was wonderful - especially when you know what's coming next! Your analysis of the chord progressions and structure was highly revealing and insightful - first time I've ever come across that for this piece. Adds a whole new level of depth and understanding, so many thanks for that - you have an amazing ear to be able to pick out the notes on the spot! Side note: Life long Pink Floyd fan - especially the early Syd Barret era stuff. The first thing I heard of theirs was 'See Emily Play' - one of the very few pieces of music I found genuinely frightening. 'Saucerful of Secrets' and 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' - required listening. I am now a devotee of the Daily Doug and will avidly watch everything else! And commendable choice of beverage - cheers!
I was on psychedelics with I first heard this song , and it's always been a favorite of mine since... I love the incorporation of the brass instruments and the song is so beautiful I don't think it needs words...
The album art was (of course) a concious decision - to counter every notion of stardom (people buying albums because of the name of the group or pictures of certain musicions on it) or the the upcoming 'space rock' genre, which the band didn't feel part of. So it was the most down to earth picture they could find :D
@@kenfalloon3186 There's been a lot of discussion about this on Wikipedia. Is the Tornados' "Telstar" space rock? Or the Byrds "Eight Miles High", which strongly resembles "Interstellar Overdrive" in places?? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Space_rock#McGuinn%2Fthe_Byrds%3F
I feel privileged to have lived long enough to have grown up listening to this when it was new and to watch new people discover the magic of Floyd, Rush, Led and the other innovators and risk takers of beauty.
Thanks for your wise and sincere reaction to this recording. When Atom Mother Heart appeared, we rock fans (specially those in the university) found this album as a serious and artistic statement about life. While other bands were somehow just funny and trippy, the Floyd appeared as something more deep and intellectual. Over the years it is still a very interesting piece, specially, as you said, for setting the orchestra in first row and the band as a complement. You may have noticed in this record (as it was in the Echoes live version you presented weeks ago) that keyboardist Richard Wright (1943-2008) was an awesome musician and the spinal column of Pink Floyd's sound.
I'm almost 40 years old and I've been listening to Pink Floyd since I was a teenager. The first album I bought was the Wall. My musical tastes have shifted and changed, but I've never stopped listening to Pink Floyd, they've been a constant. It's great to see from your video that there's a good reason for that!
Doug's facial expression at 19:18 is priceless! Richard Wright was hugely influenced by Sun Ra and this experimental passage is very much akin to 'Atlantis'. The live PF recordings from 1970-1971, especially Ossiach 1971 get really intense on this section. Herbal supplements are great btw! ;-)
This track is unique. Pink Floyd never attempted another "song" like this. The band considers it an experiment. While David Gilmour has appeared at a performance of the song by Ron Geesin to play guitar on it, he's not a fan of the song in general. Having said all that, I love this track.
I have to admit I'm not a fan of this work. It sets my teeth on the edge. But I can see that people who have some musical understanding enjoy it. I like what they learned from doing it and see the influence it had on the next 5 albums which I much preferred.
They weren't mainstream ( and really never were mainstream) when this was recorded. They had a cult following at the time. Count me as one of the cult. Started listening to them in late 1967. The look on your face was priceless. Kudos for liking Port Charlotte I'm a big Islay single malt fan.
Exactly. I would argue that their mainstream success only came after DSOTM was critically acclaimed. Obviously bits of The Wall were super popular as well. Even then, they were never the commercial enterprise that the Stones and Zep were. But early Floyd was smart art kids who were gifted musicians getting as weird as they could. I love them for that, but it wasn't really easy listening. It asked the audience to be engaged, which will rarely ever appeal to a mass demographic. Nerdy space rock at its finest.
Exactly. In the context of the time in which this album was released, Pink Floyd were far, far from being mainstream, and Dark Side of the Moon wouldn't be released for another 2 or 3 years.
I’m writing from the future (21 months to be semi exact) and this video popped into my recommendations. I’m a huge Pink Floyd fan so I get all kinds of Pink Floyd related recommendations… and aside from bootlegs I may have never heard… This immediately became a favorite video of mine. I wasnt a subscriber (I am now) and I was just knocked out by your reaction to this song. I’m 60 years old and I first heard this song (and album) in 1975 and it quickly became a song that has been both a favorite of mine but also a song that I still am trying to figure out after all of these years. So seeing your reaction (as a composer/ musician) as you listened to it the first time was fantastic. In the 48 years I’ve been listening to it I have never become tired of it. One thing you should check out are the live versions of it both with orchestra/ choir and the just with the four piece band solo. The versions that are just with the band are what they initially intended. I’ve read that the main progression was supposed to have a spaghetti western feel to it. A lot of Pink Floyd’s music from that time had this hybrid spaghetti western/ desert feel to it… The outtakes for the movie “Zabriskie Point” fit into that mold. You should ok for those on UA-cam as well. Since I just found your channel I dont know if you have checked these Pink Floyd songs out but I’ll suggest them just in case you havent… The first is off the album “Ummagumma”. The song is called “ A Saucerful of Secrets”. The second song is off the album “Meddle” and it’s called “Echoes”. I’d love to see your reaction to them as well as hear your thoughts. And now I will go look and see what other videos you have in your repertoire. ✌🏽
Dear Doug, what have you missed in your life? In 1970 I was 16 years of age and in the years the followed I never lost the emotions I felt sice I first heard this track. Your comments make it even better, since I started watching your videos the way I listen to music is more and more evolving. Thank you for that gift.
Reading the comments, and watching the reaction, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who really likes this track. This album often registers near the bottom of favorite Pink Floyd albums. I found this on my own in the 90s, and glommed onto this title track and Summer '68, and I really like those two tracks. Now, while I would come to have experience in audio editing for radio drama, I don't know music at all... so hearing a musician get into and discuss this track was a treat. Thank you for doing this.
Near the bottom? Going on nothing more than demand and price for vinyl albums, this album is not near the bottom, I can assure you. Money talks a lot more accurately than people on the internet.
Atom Heart Mother is nothing like anything else they have done before or after. It's a unique piece in rock history. A beautiful one. The other side of the album is just a few songs and a cinematographic interpretation of a morning breakfast routine.
I think it is residual Syd Barrett, possibly the band's own representation as they wrestle with trying to understand madness. But it is ultimately the genius of the arranger that you mentioned, who harnessed it and who is to be credited. This from a 70 year old lady in Maine, lol, but you asked.
I was in my 10th year of piano lessons when I first listened to this piece… i bought the album following a recommendation from a good friend… this experience just blew my mind and i started questioning if what i’ve learned until that time was ok or not… intriguing, mind blowing, opened my mind to other ways of making music… that is one of the reasons why I love Pink Floyd music!!!
For decades now I always loved this for its use of orchestra and chorus. The slow progressions lead to anticipating when the change will occur, and then getting goosebumps, when it happens, like when the chorus comes in again toward the end.
This suite is amazing, I've listened to it dozens of times. But for the FIRST time -and thanks to YOU, Doug- I jumped in joy and full clapping at the last E major note. You've made my day. Subscribed. Wish you a terrific 2022.
I had the great good fortune of hearing this live in Hyde park, London, in 1970. I haven't been affected as much by any piece of music before or since. It epitomises reach over grasp in its ambition and depth. A largely unacknowleded masterpiece.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish I was already born by the time this album was released but I was just introduced to this master piece 40 when I was at the age 12 . This is atemporal.
This is one of those songs that (despite being so long) I need to listen from begining to end every once in a while. It's charming. It's weird but curiously cozy... I can't understand why.
I've been a Pink Floyd fan since I was a teenager, which was in the late 1970's. Back then it was known as "Acid Rock", and those influences are clearly heard throughout all of their albums. Most especially the earliest ones. I am the proud owner of many of those early albums on vinyl, which I listen to on a Denon DP-62L turntable, with a Benz Micro cartridge. This is played via a Marantz preamp and powered by Krell KMA-100 mono blocks amps driving Swan Cygnus speakers. (each mono amp weighs over 65lbs) For a true old school audio experience (even though the preamp is only 10 years old, but the rest is many decades old) the system provides an wonderful audio experience.
Zappa did over 60 albums when he was alive and his estate has released another 70+. Keep listening through his catalog. You'll find plenty of stuff at least as odd as this, but this is such a great piece!!
This was the first song and the first Pink Floyd album I ever heard - I was about 7 years old and that was in 1971, one year after the album was released here in Brazil. I soon fell in love with the collages that the band made in their music, with sounds of horses and brass - it reminded me of the soundtracks of epic movies where there were big battles or ghost movies... and I laughed here seeing the faces and mouths that Doug made while listening to Atom Heart Mother 😂😂... very good!!!! Congratulations on the channel!!!
I am so pleased that you have chosen this one and I was interested to know how you would respond. I think that your response was extremely perceptive. I THINK that what the piece is primarily about is birth - essentially the whole process from conception (the part of the piece at the beginning that is sub-titled "Father's Shout" to birth (which is that final musical resolution). I think that the cow on the cover of the album is an ironic comment on that theme. Pink Floyd loved that kind of visual joking - seen at its most obvious on the cover of the reissue of their first two albums as "A Nice Pair", which is a collection visual puns. However, I also think that on a different level it is about the creative process - and actually becomes self-referential because it is partly about the process of creating music. I would be interested to know whether anyone else understands it the same way as I do or whether it is just that (as in Blackadder's description of Nursie) I am just "an insane old woman with an udder fixation".
Loved your comment, it made me examine my thoughts on the meaning of this piece and the ideas the band were trying to convey and I think you nailed it. As for ‘Nursie’, I think we’re all a little bit insane!
I love this album. I used to sleep while listening to the track. And wake up at one of the orchestra fff parts! It still gives me goosebumps 40 years after listening to it
Atom Heart Mother is one of the more obscure Pink Floyd compositions, but it lead to so much in the future. If you go all the way out to another primarily instrumental albums, The Endless River, you will see where the Pink Floyd sound comes back full circle. Thanks for spotlighting this. It is a recording I return to, in order to remind myself of the strange genius of Pink Floyd.
You should try Mike Oldfield's "Incantations" which is a combi rock/classical masterpiece. The whole thing derives from an opening stepwise chord which appears in many different guises and in many different places as the work progresses.
P.S if it is weird Zappa you are after, you need to check out the last side of his first album "Freak Out" from "Help I'm a Rock" onwards, it brings in musique concrete, random (though it becomes apparent controlled) vocalisations, Boulezian pianistic outbursts and has an ending that is as silly as it gets.
The title of this song and the album came from the London Evening Standard newspaper headline, "ATOM HEART MOTHER NAMED", about a woman who had had a nuclear-powered pacemaker fitted. The Meddle album has a mostly instrumental (but with some lyrics) piece as the final track (side 2 of the LP), called 'Echoes'. It's 23 mins 30 secs long and is a masterpiece. They also released a film (on YT) of them performing it live at an amphitheatre in Pompeii but without an audience.
Saw Floyd perform it live at a free concert in Hyde Park on July 18th 1970 with full orchestra and choir- it was only the second performance of the piece. One of the most memorable live concerts I have seen. The Floyd represent the high watermark of 20th century music, irrespective of genre.
That's definitely your opinion. Not mine. They had some amazing songs but they're not infallible. To say "irrespective of genre" is to literally elevate them to God status. 20th century avant garde classical such as Debussy? Nah Pink Floyd. Any countless solo artists such as Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash? Nah Pink Floyd. All blues music? Nah Pink Floyd. All jazz music? Nah Pink Floyd. All electronic music with its vast and innumerable variations? Nah Pink Floyd. All hip hop? Nah Pink Floyd. All music ever created in the 20th century except Pink Floyd? Nah Pink Floyd. They were special, absolutely - but all music? Insanely arrogant statement.
Atom Heart Mother came out during my freshman year in college. I was reading The Lord of the Rings at the time and I have such vivid memories of feeling that AHM was almost a perfect sound track (at least in my mind) to Tolkien's masterpiece. I must admit that that there was definitely some herb involved. One of my all time favorites. Thanks for your "reaction".
According to Roger Waters, Kubrick asked PF for use of AHM in the Clockwork Orange soundtrack, and was refused. Kubrick used W. Carlos and the rest is history. I've always thought it sounded like good soundtrack material.
The early '70s, Pink Floyd's weird acid/space rock, and the Lord of the Rings all seem to go hand-in-hand... the only thing missing are the vans with mattresses in the back, and Gandalf silk-screened on the side smoking a pipe over a Heavy Metal magazine landscape with giant mushrooms, and the stereo playing 8-tracks of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Van Der Graaf Generator, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Iron Butterfly, The Doors, Hawkwind, Crosby/Stills/Nash/Young and the like, and suddenly I'm feeling like I've time-traveled back 40-something years to my childhood, with vivid memories of the time - including sights, smells, tastes, sounds, sensations, and the like!
When I was in high school in 1973, my music teacher asked us to bring in examples of the music we were listening to. Somebody brought in this track for the class to listen to. My music teacher, who liked Beethoven, was shocked and surprised. Ron Geesin collaborated on the track. Geesin was an avant garde film composer at the time. Like the Beatles, Pink Floyd recorded at Abbey Road where a lot of claasical orchestras recorded. They were probably influenced by what they heard.
Doug…I lost my big brother in 2000…he was a great guitar player and overall musician. listening to you is the closest musical evaluation experience I have had since I lost him. Thank you so much!
Wow, I don't think I've enjoyed listening to Atom Heart Mother more than just now. That was an experience watching someone classically trained dissect that masterpiece. My second favourite song from my Favourite album.
this is THE BEST video you've made thus far, I really enjoyed your genuine surprise at the end there. A full album listen of Pink Floyd's "Animals" would be a worthy endeavor, as well as Meddle and Obscured by Clouds. Pink Floyd is its own ever evolving genre, unclassifiable and timeless.
He did the complete Animals reaction in his Patreon already! Amazing
Briliant video.
You forgot Whish you were here
Listen to PIPERS AT THE GATES OF DAWN, MORE , SAUCER FULL OF SECRETS, and OBSCURED BY CLOUDS You don't know Pink Floyd until you know Syd Barrett. Syd was big on psychedelic/ progressive rock. Pink Floyd went "pop" rock after he left (got kick out) and made DSOTM. IMHO Floyd went progressively down hill after 1974. (Pun intended)
@@augustinewestley7310 Syd was only on Piper and one song on Saucerful. There's 5 years and 5 albums between him leaving and them doing Dark Side, but I would argue that Piper (plus the singles they released before it) was them at their most "pop" anyway.
We love Atom Heart Mother more than the band members do...
@DnB and Psy Production I guess they think it's like Phil Spector and Let it Be. But they're wrong.
Absolutely!!!, But I think they hated the problems associated with carrying and orchestra to the concerts.
I loved this masterpiece, for me pretty ahead of it's time.
@DnB and Psy Production which is wierd because ummagumma exists. But I think it's because with ummagumma they were just screwing around and just did whatever because they could which is why the give it more leeway, but Atom Heart Mother was something where they knew what they were doing and the whole thing played out how they wanted it to, but it's too simple for them. No lyrics, no rock and roll type style, not even any real psychedelic sounds, it's just an orchestra. I imagine they don't like it because it's too out there even for them, it doesn't even have a Pink Floyd type sound. It's just not Pink Floyd
@DnB and Psy Production I think Nick likes it.
I went to the "Pink Project" tribute band in the Netherlands who did a PF history tour. To my huge surprise and pleasure they also performed Atom Heart Mother. As I thougt I was more or less alone in liking this music (to avoid calling it a song), but both the audience, and you guys reacting here, proved me wrong in that respect. Feels like I'm part of a greater group now.
Btw my 18 year old son became a PF fan after hearing the Pink Project tribute band and also: very much likes to listen to this partical music as well as to the other timeless greats. @Original Pink Floyd members: although it may not be your most valued track, countless people enjoy exploring it. So thank you so much for this.
I hate how much the band dislikes this song. It is such an amazing piece of art.
I think it almost makes it better. There’s no excuse for this song existing and them not liking it makes it even more enigmatic and interesting. I used to listen to this song daily when I drove to work and it’s probably my favorite Floyd track.
@@micahwright5901 I go to work by tram and also listen to AHMS. It's over a month now when almost every day starts with this amazing track.
Same
A lot of musicians hate their early work. To them, it often sounds unpolished and they can only focused on what they "should" have done.
Brilliant art by brilliant artists of sound.
"OK I think we're through the wormhole" this was SO MUCH FUN watching someone experience one of my favourite songs for the first time
Atom Heart Mother is the most underrated album of all time imho. It's the best collision between Classical music, Psychedelic rock and Musique concrète ever recorded. Pink Floyd at it's most experimental.
They were quite consistently 'art house' back in those days, collaborating with Antonioni, Roland Petit and Barbet Schroder on various films and ballets. Those were the days. Then they got old and rich.
@Richard Peters cannot say what's the most experimental among the two... but for sure these two albums are the two that captured me in the fabulous Pink Floyd's world ... the live part of Ummagumma it's a little in the "we miss Sid Barret stile... who we are?" in the studio part we have a phenomenal richard wright... in Atom Heart Mother we have the first "non Sid Barret" true version of Pink Floyd (in the suite at least ... in the B side the "Sid style" is coming back).... but definitely these two albums are masterpieces...
ironically these albums (both) are the two that the band doesn't love too much... but for me (I repeat) these are masterpieces!
only one unanswered question .... who is Pink? 😂😂 I think that all in the band (not excluding Sid) are "Pink" all together ....
Indeed...Yet The Band Stupidly Dislikes This Bloody Amazing Epic Masterpiece...
There's a new term to me: musique concrete. I must explore.
@@provaassemblea8063 I think that those albums between 68 and 71 are Roger, Rick, Dave and Nick trying to find their own sound without Syd so they were experimenting with a lot of sounds to get that.
I’ve been a Pink Floyd fan for years but for some strange reason I never listed to the album before. That changed the other day, and I’ve listed to it nonstop for 3 days. The discovery of new music is truly one of life’s great joy’s.
"for some strange reason". I think we all have those gaps. I never listened to any Radiohead after hail to the thief, despite them being one of my favourite bands.
Pink Floyd members did the demo of this song and gave to Ron Geesin to add brass and strings.
He went full orchestra on the number and the group was quite displeased with the result.
Even today, Gilmour and especially Roger Waters don't have the best opinion of the track.
Which I think is a mistake for I consider it, one of Pink Floyd best and most engaging track.
I personally love it.
It dawned on me just now, with Mr. Helvering's analysis, that this is Ron Geesin's piece with Pink Floyd as guest artists. Have enjoyed it from the first listen back when it came out.
I can understand why they're upset (esp the start) - Pink Floyd have amazing music and its lost in this - like a beautiful girl's face who's slapped a ton of makeup on. Interesting how AHM is showing their growth phase to build up to Echoes, DSM, Animals etc.....
@@rw-xf4cb probably the worst take I've ever heard. If you listen to the band only live versions of this song it contains none of the drama or character that Ron was able to add to this piece. This suite is one of Pink Floyd's finest and a beautiful crossroads between the psychedelic early floyd to progressive main floyd. The experimentation in early pink floyd.
A master piece
I first listened to this on Christmas Eve 1970 while lying in a drunken heap under my parents Christmas tree. It's been my favourite Floyd album ever since.
“Atom Heart Mother” is my second favorite Pink Floyd album after “Meddle”.
A connoisseur, I see.
@@nectarinedreams7208 yes indeed.
@@sspbrazil Wish You Were Here, Animals.
@@D-TroS animals is amazing
@@D-TroS “Animals” is my third favorite, bored with “Wish You Were Here”
"That's a cool progression y'all." If there is ONE thing that is never mentioned enough, it's that Rick Wright brought some intense jazz/music theory chops to the band. Literally every album almost contains some wonderful progressions penned by Wright that add a cerebral weight to Pink Floyd (each member contributed their own STRONG and unique, within the band, strengths.)
More Wright epic professions can be found on:
Saucerful of Secrets - Saucerful of Secrets
Atom Heart Mother - this; Summer '68
Meddle - Echoes
Dark Side - Great Gig in the Sky
Wish You Were Here - I THINK some parts of Shine On
Animals - Sheep
--then Roger Waters froze him out of The Wall--
Us and them is also a great progression off dark side. Gilmour and wright brought such a sophistication to their music
@@jacksonpayne3477 I would argue that Gilmour's improvising and melody writing approaches simply complimented Rick's classical training and understanding. Sometimes, I will concede, Gilmour would single upon an accidentally compelling harmonic sequence (Dogs, Young Lust, Fat Old Sun, etc.)
@@mss11235 so did rick at times. He openly admits that Us and them was spawned on accident. If you want to diminish Gilmour’s understanding of things you can, but Gilmour knows what he is doing. His melodic improvisation is proof of it. The first solo to comfortably numb for example has a lot of interesting harmonic things in it that it would be hard to stumble upon accidentally. They both compliment each other. I think dismissing it as he comes up interesting things on accident is rather silly to say. They both did that at times, but both know what they are doing. Is Rick better trained, yes.
@@jacksonpayne3477 I didn't mean to diminish Gilmour. (Hugely impressed that David seemed to quickly, seemingly on his own get quite adept with modal mixture (the Echoes jam, SOYCD, all over Animals and the Wall) which, to me, is pretty impressive and useful skill for a non-student to grasp. Really cranks up the intrigue whilst jamming)
@@jacksonpayne3477 I guess I just meant to empathize that Rick tended to be able to write some delightful cheese progressions and that, though Gilmour maybe wouldn't intentionally think of penning chords like those AHM/SOS progressions, he still could come up with great melodic content within them.
Not just the Atom Heart Mother suite, but the whole album is amazing. "If" is painful, but beautiful, in its minimalism. Fat Old Sun is a trippy nostalgic ballad. AND... Summer '68, my all time favorite Floyd song, have that bittersweet taste of long gone brief relationship that to this day brings good memories of a time you know will not come back. I know AHM is not considered one of Pink Floyd´s best works, but it speaks to me like no other. To all Floyd fans around the world, I'm drinking to you! Cheers from Brazil, mates!
You hit the nail on the head there. I've no idea why Summer '68 isn't one of their most famous songs; it barely even gets a mention when discussing AHM with other Floyd fans. Those trumpets are epic: imagine what a proper, modern remaster could achieve with that song...
Summer 68 is a great tune, one of my all time favs.
There's a massively long live version of Fat Old Sun on a BBC transcription disk introduced at the venue by John Peel; it's well worth a listen if you can track it down. Must be one side of an album's worth in length with a lot more work on it that the album one; great harmonies throughout by Dave and Rick. They also did a finished version of Embryo then, whereas the one released on "Picnic" and later compilations is unfinished.
@@frankshailes3205 Thks! I'll search for it! Didn't know of this version!
Cheers brother
This reached the number 1 spots on the charts! Well done, people of 1970, well done indeed!
You're very welcome😊
What is so interesting in these reactions from Doug is that he has never heard them before whereas many of us were listening to these 40-50 years ago. Normal for us but Doug's reactions are priceless.
My father was like 10 years old then
This is probably my favourite Pink Floyd song, along with Dogs. It’s sad that the band doesn’t like it themselves. It’s the most epic they ever sounded.
agree with that totally. When I first heard this I thought ... wow wow wow that is a rock band that knows how to expand a soundscape. This is the nursery of Floyd creativity ... it is a shame that they seem not to see that.
It's also, arguably, the only time they ventured into 'Prog Rock' territory, too. All their other work is 'Art Rock', which is a very important distinction. For Prog Rock, 'Atom Heart Mother' is a pretty good piece, but I for one am glad they never stayed in that territory and resolutely stuck with Art Rock instead.
Nick Mason has been playing the pre-Dark Side music with his band for the past few years. They would play the song If into this song then back into If.
Animals is by far my favorite PF album. Dogs is essential PF listening.
Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets plays a bit from this album, including from the Atom Heart Mother Suite. They are coming back to the States in 2022. I already have tix for January.
To this day, AHM remains my favorite Pink Floyd album. For several months I was influenced by this album. I spent nights improvising on a piano with this music in mind.
It also reminds me that one day (in 1972), my best friend left our village to settle in Montreal. I had written a song whose music borrowed from the style of AHM and where I wrote this sentence: "we will see each other again in 1000 years". She died two months later.
😢🕯
Totally-the album is perfection and a great representation of the Band before the bloating and post the innocence.
This is an absolutely classic track for hardcore Pink Floyd fans, but quite unknown from the mainstream crowd. It's before they made it real big obviously, but quite a masterpiece to me. I loved how you were intrigued, puzzled, amazed and fascinated all at the same time.
If you really never heard any Pre-Dark Side Floyd, i suggest you try 'One of These Days' and 'Echoes' from their 1971 Meddle album. It's up there with the cream of their catalog.
i agree with you. nice choices.
I was always under the impression theyd made it big in the 60s seeing as how they were recording right next to the Beatles. Could be wrong though
The titles if the sections might have helpd:
"Atom Heart Mother"
I. "Father's Shout"
II. "Breast Milky"
III. "Mother Fore"
IV. "Funky Dung"
V. "Mind Your Throats Please"
VI. "Remergence"
Atom Heart Mother is the group's least favorite album but it got the attention of critics because of the unusual arrangement.
Side note, My brother was resting when I put this on. He isn't a big fan of Prog Rock. When the album side had finished, he asked: "What was that, the Soundtrack to Ben Hur?"
I'm told the sections were only to please the record company and had no relevance to the music.
I really doubt it's their least favourite album
@@TheMACnator ok in reality that's their second least favorite album... the first is Ummagumma (a total mess and confusion in theirs words) but for me these are two masterpieces
@@provaassemblea8063 do you have a source of any of them saying it's their second least favourite? I mean I know that they didn't like the usage of the brass and (partly) the choir in the title track but I've never read about them saying that they dislike the album that much
I Commend U For Using Roman Numerals... PRECISELY What I Would Have Done...I Never Liked The ABC Lot...
The soundtrack of my awakening in life as a music listening adolescent. My best friend died at 17. His parents wouldn’t honour his wish to play this at his funeral. Few days later we went to his grave with a little cassetteplayer with a tiny speaker. So amazed to see your surprise and fabulous ear analysis of a piece of music I remember every note of without the ability to name any of them.
Sad but beautiful story
What a beautiful way to commemorate your friend. I know that never in a thousand years would I be able to convince my parents as to why I find this piece so incredibly powerful and moving, and I'd be quite grateful to have friends who did understand.
Parents eh.
😢🕯✊🏻
When my father passed all we played was Pink Floyd because it was his favorite band and the last concert he ever went to.
The funny thing is Pink Floyd used to hate this álbum, but we, their fans, love it... I used for showing my students a lot of things about arrengement... To me, it is a precious piece
Interestingly, this was Alan Parsons second gig as engineer in the Abbey Road studios. The first was Abbey Road (Beatles). He was 22! Quite a start to his career!
Parsons made the realized recordings as icons of art. Stereo tended to be rather so-so, circa 1970, and for years on. Parson's engineered productions, of that early ear: still dazzle.
Alan Parsons...such a genius!
Atom Heart Mother is my favorite piece by Pink Floyd. I think it's severely underrated and underappreciated (even by themselves) - but then again, each to their own. Oh, and I'm a huge PF fan. They've made quite a lot of incredible music. It's just that this piece gives me something I've never experienced before or after. I'm not in any way a professional, I don't know anything about keys, chords or anything, but I *do* know what I enjoy listening to. Actually, it's kind of funny because you stopped and went back several times during my absolute favorite part of the song. It was very, very interesting to watch a professional listen to this for the first time and try to make sense of what they do ... and possibly why it works. As you probably realize, I have no idea about any of that. I just love the music. I've never seen anyone react to Atom Heart Mother before today and it was actually a great experience to go along with you on this ride.
What I love about AHM is the way they integrate the weird psychedelic parts with pure melody. At its worst it hurts the ears, but then it evolve and change into beautiful melodies. The best example of it is actually around the time when you stopped the video and went back. It's always progressing. It never stops being interesting. Oh, and it's the first time they did a full LP side into one piece, but if you want to explore even earlier PF then there are several pieces that leads into this. Like "Saucerful of secrets" or "Astronomy Domine". Many of these early songs were actually better live than on record. Probably hard to find on youtube though, but the user HDPinkFloyd has a *lot* of material on their channel. I know that many people love the really early Syd Barrett era, but that's not my thing. I love what they progressed to afterwards.
Thank you for doing this. Great work! You've gained a new subscriber and I will definitely check out a lot your earlier reactions!
I don't believe the reviewers actually read their comments most of the time but I would love to tell this knowledgeable fellow to not go back and listen to early Pink Floyd. I'm referring to the stuff that Syd wrote, (and here's where I'll get slammed) please, I'm begging you! LOL.. and here is where I am happy to find a like-minded individual, one not unconditionally bound to praise the alleged faultless founder. Ok, let's consider this review. Done by a pro it opens my eyes, umm, ears, and allowed me to hear with new ears. When AHM first came out I couldn't get into it. Now Doug would like to know what we think about it...it took me years to revisit the album. The disjointed sounds, or "ONLY noise" as some of my Pink Floyd hater friends would call it, was just a touch into the disturbing realm. People often relate the music of PF to be only enjoyed when high on drugs, but even back then (I'm 70 now) drugs took away some of the deeper connections I would be feeling when hearing the Floyd. Concerts were attended straight because they took me on a trip on its own. With maturity a great deal of the music, especially lyrics, can change their meanings to most individuals. Doug, you referred to death here so I need to requote David Gilmour when he said their music evokes feelings of mortality, as well as having specific personal interpretations by the listeners. I feel very thankful to run across this review, almost like finding a box of the ugliest chocolates you've ever seen, but finding a huge surprise within by having other worldly flavors. With having its honest impacts, the noted being facial markings during the delicious confusion! Very enjoyable and entertaining.
@@lilRadRidinHood I don't really get why people "slam" anyone who don't have the same *opinion* in music as themselves. I agree wholeheartedly with you regarding the Barrett era of PF, it just doesn't appeal to me at all. That said, I don't think anything less of anyone who disagrees. That's their opinion - their taste - and they're entitled to it. That's the beauty of it, we're all unique in our taste of music and there is no right or wrong. Regarding listening to music while under the influence - whether alcohol or "herbs" - it can enhance the experience for some kinds of music, but it would be weird if that was "required" to enjoy it. Listening to PF it's enough for me to just close my eyes, let the music encompass me and enjoy the experience. No drugs required! :)
You're probably right that Doug don't read every comment on here, but I would guess he reads a few and skims the most popular ones. When a channel is small enough, it's fair to assume they read most of them, but when it gets too popular that has to be more and more of a chore that borders on impossible.
If you haven't already, check out his reaction to Shine on You Crazy Diamond from yesterday. :) Great stuff. I kind of assumed that would be next!
@@lilRadRidinHood Atom Heart Mother is my favorite Floyd track, and album i think. Though I also really enjoy Piper's at the Gates of Dawn. I'm not so big on most things past Dark Side honestly, more followed Waters after that, and got into his solo stuff.
I find Piper's just a fun silly album, some of the best out of '67 ... I also really like the Stone's '67 album Their Satanic Majesty's Request, but don't care for anything else they did after that.
To each their own eh ;)
@@lilRadRidinHood I see Floyd as being two utterly different bands. Pre Syd and post Syd. I like them both equally, but they're two totally different bands.
Bike is great, Julia Dream, The gnome, The scarecrow, Interstellar Overdrive, Astronomy Domine too. Syd's solo Dark Globe is wonderful. So, while I agree AHM (and Echoes) is where the band truely discovers itself, the early Floyd offers clues to what they would become too. Even Syd's weirdness.
This song was stuck in my head as I was in a pre-operative room getting dressed and prepped for a craniotomy to remove a brain tumor earlier this month. The music, particularly the intro encapsulated the moment for me. Made me feel stripped of everything I had ever carried with me in life up until that point. Suspended in air, and totally vulnerable, but free. It was neither sad nor joyful. It was more so just powerful in a very natural way, much like the force of life itself, or in this case, an Atom Heart Mother. Not in our control. Only there to be experienced.
Best wishes to you & what a beautiful comparison! Sounds totally accurate to me. Giving up one’s angst/fear/emotions is not defeat, but often great triumph.
Best wishes, Elston. I hope you are all healed up.
I was about 16 when this came out. Came home from a date, a little stoned. Turned off the lights, turned on the radio and this came on. I had one of the first "Quadrophonic" systems. I was not sure if I was really hearing it outside my head or if it was inside... but it changed my taste in music forever. You just can't listen to something like Sonny & Cher after this...
I don't remember who, but at about the 6 minute mark, someone said to me on a later hearing, "It sounds like they are burying the Pharaoh..." and yes, that is what comes to my mind for most of that passage now. Thousands of men marching across the desert under the stars holding the torches high to the pyramid entrance...
Fun fact, Stanley Kubrik wanted to use this music as part of the soundrack for "A clockwork orange", but the band refused. i cant help but to think about that movie every time i hear this.
Roger specifically. He considered it, but didn't like how Kubrick wanted to cut it up and place it among the film.
UA-cam “echoes 2001 a space odyssey”
It is still visible on the shelf in the record store scene though!
Large part of your audience has been listening to this, and being amazed again every time, for over 50 years
This was the album that fully paved the way for the absolutely essential Meddle. Really enjoying your reactions, Doug, may just pour an Edradour 10 year old and join you. Thanks for all your energies and rather engaging personality.
Actually, pity I didn't have the herbals, Ive not listened to this in years. Ha ha :D
Yes, Doug, if you truly haven't listened to any Floyd before "Dark Side of the Moon", give a listen to "Echoes", the second side of "Meddle". Trust me, you will need an herbal supplement for this one.
@@donkensler he did a video on echoes
@@Jay-iq5zu Such a shame he chose the version he did. The original IS the best.
Yes, now I don't have to type that! Thanks! The sublimely constructed Echoes would not be the masterpiece that it is without this weird experimental phase PF went through played out on Atom Heart Mother.
This album made me realise (back when it came out) that there's so much more you can do with music, besides the usual chart songs. It changed my attitude towards music forever. As if a wall was removed and where there was boring, repetitive wallpaper before, I now saw an endless world of wonder and adventure.
good reference
You write well, also.
It is my favorite non-classical album. For me, it is a representation of the cycle of life: a lot of up and downs; loudness and quiet; chaos and order; and closure with the fate at the end;. Love it
For me, it represents a dream:
1. Father's Shout: the dreamer drifts off to sleep
2. Breast Milky: the dream begins with memories of childhood transitioning to memories of war.
3. Mother Fore: the dreamer wanders through a foggy landscape of confusion and depression.
4. Funky Dung: the dreamer is now in a bright chamber with happier memories (summertime, first love, coming of age).
5. Mind Your Throats Please: the Nightmare sequence. The dreamer encounters bloody toys, otherworldly creatures, and a malevolent authority figure (represented by the announcer's voice).
5. Remergence: the dream is recapped, and the dreamer wakes up.
15:20 The dorian Im-IV progression was a Pink Floyd trademark throughout most of their best known albums. Add a 9th in the middle of the Im and a 7th and occasional 4th suspensions to the IV and you have the harmonies for a quarter of Meddle and half of Dark Side of the Moon.
It's a wonderful progression for those long, dreamy, Melancholic, bluesy solos both Gilmour and Wright loved.
16:05 I'm not sure but I think that's an organ, not strings. Wright had this rather unusual setup with two organs, a Farfisa and a Hammond, each with its unique sound and I think he's playing with one hand on each there, the percussive chords on the Hammond and the string like long notes on the Farfisa.
Hi Grethe! Thanks for this answer. As a guitar player I often hear musicians say that Gilmour is a pentatonic player. Of course he does use it a lot. But I came to discover that the use of that dorian modulation and soloing is even more Gilmour/Wrightish.
English is not my first language. I am from the Netherlands. As you seem to know the art of music... What is the word Doug uses around 8:45 ? I am trying to unravel this chord progression. Thank you!
@@jj4325 I'm not sure what word you mean but he's talking about third relationships (or mediants if you want to use posh words).
The chord progression is the same as for the cello solo - Em - Am - G(7) - Bm - G#m (or Abm if you like) - Bb - Eb - Am - B - Em. Doug explains it very well around 25:58 and I've over-analyzed it in another comment here.
Keep in mind that there is no "correct" textbook answer to the analyzis of the progression. You know sometimes chords have two meanings and Pink Floyd is playing with this ambiguity here.
---
Edit, Wikipedia's articles about mediants aren't exactly the best descriptions I've seen but here are two links:
Mediants in general: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediant
Chromatic mediants: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_mediant
These are old tricks all classical, pop and rock musicians are very familiar with of course (even though they don't necessarily know the fancy words for it). What makes the Atom Heart Mother progression so fascinating is the way those old tricks are used. I think that is the key to all great progressive music. It's not about inventing something from scratch, it's about taking the old and transform it into something brand new.
@@tessjuel If you play the progression on a guitar it's not that weird.There are 2 sections in this progression. Em-Am-G-(sorry Dough no seventh here)Bm. A lot of songs have this progression. And the second section Abm-Bb-Eb again often used,and to get back to the 1 just 4 and 5 . Interesting is that Gilmore,I'm sure this section was composed on a guitar,has put the 2 often used progressions right one after the other.
Thank you for your really interesting comment
@@johnvanderauwera8722 The 'weird' thing in this, is the modulation. The 1-4-5 progression is not that weird. But then it steps up to Abm or G#m, which is not in the Em diatonic.
They became mainstream after dark side of the moon. Prior to that, they were a psychedelic underground act. Atom heart mother is typical of that earlier period. The other older stuff is quite varied, however. I recommend echoes from meddle!
It was a number 1 album in the UK - number 55 in the States. Is that a stat of an underground band ?
They became successful record sellers but they never charted high with singles
@@vdggmouse9512 It charted, honestly, in spite of what they were doing, not because of it. They were an underground band that made it big. That doesn't mean they weren't underground, and the OP is right -- you can't really call them "mainstream" until TDSOM. I mean, does "Ummagumma" strike you as the work of a band trying to court commercial success?
@@chuckhamilton7814 Chuck - they had two charting singles with Syd - they released bizarre material before Atom Heart Mother that if you want to call 'underground' - OK by me. But Atom Heart Mother was a number 1 album - so whether or not a number 1 album means 'mainstream' - well we don't need to go back and forth on that. To me - from then on - they couldn't be considered an underground group. I'm in my 60's in Los Angeles - many of my friends were into it from the get go. And it hit 55 on Billboard. While I do not think they were an underground band ever again - what I'll say is this - Pink Floyd never lost their cred with the underground. Is that fair? And here in LA - PF was already pretty highly regarded even before DSOTM. I certainly agree that after DSOTM they were not only mainstream - they were up there with the big boys from then on.
Echoes has already been done: ua-cam.com/video/hAbXErolT1w/v-deo.html
I remember listening to this for the first time in 1970. I was at school and a group of us took the LP to the music room to listen to it in the dark with full stereo on. It blew our 15 year old minds.
They were so in advance on their time, mixing every genre, rock, jazz, blues, classic, electronic, ethnic musics, and so on... Genius !
I actually saw this tour 50 years ago tomorrow! I remember this because I saw it with a great friend who was celebrating his birthday. He scored the tickets for us and that was the by far the most amazing experience I had at the time. He passed a few years ago, think of him every time I hear this, RIP.
Your rewiew was very very good, and for knowledge sakes , i sujest you to to start from ummagumma, then meddle's Echoes and the atom heart mother again
May your good friend rip
My older brothers used to play this in 1970. I was about 11. This piece of music was the sound that drew me into ‘real’ music and not the pablum my parents listened to.
I know every note and sound of that piece. It’s part of me.
I have waited over 50 years to have someone go through it like you and explain so many things that fascinated me as a kid, why I played the bass, and helped me understand what I’ve been hearing.
Thank you. I feel resolved.
Oddly enough this was my gateway song into Pink Floyd. I had this tune impressed into my teenage mind and it holds its place as one of the most influential pieces of music in my life. Thanks for the great reaction video - I enjoyed it a lot!
It's the same for me! I was 10 years old when I listened this album for the first time and I was impressed. Since then I love Pink Floyd.
Same. Heard this album when I was just discovering 70's prog rock. It was my first Pink Floyd experience and I absolutely loved it! Then eventually I got to their more famous, accessible stuff (post-Meddle) and, unlike most people, lost interest.
@@dr.juerdotitsgo5119 Well, I guess neither of us are 'most people' 🤔 I got into them with Ummagumma when I was 12 years old. Fascinated, I quickly moved through Atom Heart Mother and Meddle, felt a bit let down with Obscured By Clouds, a bit more with DSOTM, a bit more still with Wish You Were Here, then Animals/The Wall were competing with punk and new wave: The Jam, Magazine, Wire, XTC, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Talking Heads, etc, etc. I still listen to AHM and Meddle but rarely anything else from them. I listen to more early Genesis now than PF. It was great to hear this again though.
@@digoryjohns2018 Funny you should mention post-punk. I think bands like Talking Heads, Magazine, Japan, PIL, Pere Ubu, etc. are somewhat the heirs of early 70's prog rock; not in terms of musicianship and song format, but experimentation and adventurousness.
Can anyone imagine this being a number one in the "hit parade" album today? Ha ha ha
Atom Heart Mother has been raising the hairs since it's release. Musically the most adventurous of ALL the Pink Floyd albums, I was thrilled at you honing in on those incredible chord progressions and the achingly beautiful melody on the cello. The musique concrete interlude with the discordant chords is courtesy of the Abbey Road MKII mellotron, the same one The Beatles used! (and which we restored and sold to Macca). I remember a documentary on Ron Geesin at the time of release and he was a fascinating and avant-garde composer. His contribution to AHM is stunning. Incidentally, Nick Mason overdubbed the drums after the event and at times they are not quite locked in.
I've spent 30 years restoring, servicing and building mellotrons. How about a top ten of the best tracks featuring the beast. Best, Martin
Addenda - Pink Floyd owned a 'tron of their own which appeared on Saucerful of Secrets so it maybe a toss up but Abbey Road had one
available.
Martin - what a great idea. The mellotron created psychedelic rock. It is so amazing considering what it was created for!
AHM is Music, is Art, is emotion. It brings you to tears, pushes you into chaos and darkness and then takes you and pulls you up to light and hope.. we can get out of chaos and find our way again. It's a paint where you can find your emotions hidden in there.. just look.. no ... just listen into it and let you drown and transported by the flow.
I thought this would be an enjoyable reaction. A lot of people seem to be impressed by Echoes, but I find this a much more interesting piece of work, both intriguing and melodically satisfying. I'm not usually a fan of rock bands recording with orchestras, but this is one occasion where it works really well. A year before this came out Deep Purple had performed Jon Lord's Concerto for Group and Orchestra which took the idea of combining rock and classical musicians even further. The merits and success of the work are open to question but it would be worth a listen, if not a reaction, because it does occupy its own peculiar niche in music history.
I agree
That Deep Purple orchestra album is a masterpiece
Dave Gilmour gets totally overlooked by this Doug tho.
This is definitely more dated than Echoes, and it has a more quixotic and mercurial approach. But Echoes is a higher lever of dovetailed beauty between the abstract and dream state.
Just two days ago I was listening to Atom Heart Mother, thinking that Doug would probably never react to this because it is so long and so... different. I still wondered what his comments would be. So when the video came up in my feed, I hit the like button even before starting it. Besides, it is great to see that other people also like this amazing masterpiece, because nobody I personally know does.
Thank you, Doug, for the video, and thank you, community, for proposing it.
Well, I first listened to this piece when I was eleven, back in 1971, so I can say know it well. That's why I was eager to see your reaction as a classical composer. I really wanted to go inside your mind and feel what you were feeling. So I managed to get a full glass of single malt scotch (an Islay one, by the way) and I tried to sip it at the same time your did with yours. Scotch helped a lot. I was delighted with your reaction, and I agree with you: This album is a UFO . The single and unique time in history where a rock band, playing along with an orchestra, managed to let the orchestra in front and kept just backing it. A true masterpiece.
VERY envious of you getting to hear Atom Heart Mother for the first time! This piece feels in retrospect like a dry run for "Echoes", the epic compositon from their next album Meddle, which many - well, me at least - would argue is their crowning musical achievement.
Ditto
Fun fact: "Atom Heart Mother" is supposed to sound like a soundtrack to a movie that doesn't exist. Hence why you hear horses and gunshots and explosions and motorcycles early in the piece.
Yes, one of it's working titles (besides "The Amazing Pudding") was "Soundtrack to an Imaginary Western".
@@frankshailes3205 I actually kinda wish they've called it something like that. "Atom Heart Mother" is just too random and goofy imo
So that makes sense because one time on acid we listened to this track while watching Seinfeld and it worked so well, especially when Kramer barged through the door
As a Pink Floyd fan and trombone player, I DREAM of playing Atom Heart Mother one day 🤩
If your're a bone player and don't like this, then you ain't a bone player.
As a cellist, i dream of playing that piece too 😉
Same. I just got my hands on a score. Considering putting together and orchestra.
This song is 24 minutes of everything I love about this band in one song. It's magical.
I have listened to it hundreds of times in the past 50 years or more. I am sad that the band doesn’t respect it - for me it is a sublime journey.
for me as well
It's atmospheric Doug. That's the only way I can describe it. Metaphorically and quite literally it keeps changing and evolving into something else......constantly. It's a brilliant piece of music.
The two sections after 12:50 are really indicative of what was/would become Floyd’s signature early 70’s sound; particularly Mason’s Tom runs and Waters bass.
Hot l
Not only that. It reminds me of some sections of Animals
I’ve listened to this track hundreds, if not thousands of times. It’s a long progression evoking different emotions, some of sorrow, as if a village is reeling from a devastating blow by an aggressor, to triumph, with the chorus exclaiming a victory cry over a hard won battle. The band, the orchestra, and the chorus, all weave themselves into a web of emotionally charged musical harmony, to the point that jibberish sounds better than actual words with a literal meaning. Rather, the meaning of the song, of the performance, can only be understood in the performance itself, and not read in the lyrics or in a critique of the performance.
Thanks for reacting to Atom Heart Mother.
And the guitar solo at about 4 minutes into the track reminds me of chatting to a beautiful woman I once was very friendly with!
One man's "gibberish" is another jazz scat singinig.
Those little quick guitar moments around 21:45 were SO trippy to listen to stoned. They sounded like an abstracted version of the earlier parts of the song being played from inside a car driving by with its windows rolled down. Somehow it's the distilled essence without sounding exactly like it. If that makes any sense.
I have been a lifelong Pink Floyd fan, and just by chance came across your page. Atom Heart Mother is the first album that provides clues as to the band that Pink Floyd would start to become. Prior to this album (and throughout it), one could hear the band moving away from the pop/psychedelic sound that their first guitarist and vocalist, Syd Barrett, created for the band. This was the beginning of the Roger Waters and David Gilmour era of the band, with Waters creating much of the band's future and familiar sound in his writing, while Gilmour's blues rock guitar led the way for an ethereal sound, with huge bends in his playing, that are still unrivaled in music today. This is the song I most enjoy watching people while they listen to it. Some people love it, while others detest its sound. Personally, as a person who grew up around music, I find it fascinating In all transparency, I am also a bit biased, as Pink Floyd is my favorite band of all time to this day. If you listen to the rest of the album, it is radically different; however, as some others have suggested, if you move to the next few albums, such as "Meddle," you will see how they finally arrived at their signature sound by the time they recorded Dark Side of the Moon.
"Atom Heart Mother" and I were both released into the world 1970. I discovered the record when I was about 14 or 15, at which time Pink Floyd was already my favorite band, and I had all but worn out the grooves in the big five Floyd records: "The Wall", "DSOM", "Animals", "Wish You Were Here" and "The Final Cut". A hot summer's night, the warm glow of a moon-lit radio dial, dialed in on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, eyes closed, mind open, headphones securely adorned. With the drop of a needle, my DNA was forever altered that night.
This was Pink Floyd's first true masterpiece; everything they had done had led them to that space, and everything they did afterward stemmed from it. For me, it evoked vivid, colorful movies in my head, and it really turned me on to the idea that rock n roll could be proper art that could connect with people in a meaningful way. It WAS more than just "rock n roll all night, and party every day". Sure, it's always been that too, but this was SO much more. I never realized the levels of musical success that I dreamed of then. Most of us don't. But this record, along with The Wall and DSOM in particular, DID change the way I approached songwriting in a profound way, where each song becomes a piece of a larger theme on a record. I kinda dig the idea of having that conceptual connection to such a pivotal moment in the "becoming" of Pink Floyd; conceived and birthed in 1970! ☮🕊
I wouldn't include "The Final Cut" as one of the "big" Pink Floyd albums. It should really be the Big Four. If I had to pick a fifth "big" album I would probably go with Meddle
@@kellyevans8610 Meddle is my token favorite to turn people on to their less popular albums. Hard not to go with Dark side though.
Well said, definitely felt that.
As a life long professional musician ( I'm 72) my first listen to Atom Heart Mother was a revelation. I was herbally enhanced at the time so it was double mind blowing and still one my faves. Glad you picked this to showcase. Keep it up 😊
For a wider context, all of the early Floyd albums up through 1972 are beautiful and have their unique charm. I think you will find the Ummagumma studio stuff a bit naive but an important building block in their progression. Live Ummagumma is stunning in quality and must be heard.
Two key items to explore that will allow this album to make more sense:
1) PF were recording a soundtrack to a film 'Zabriske Point' in late 1969 from which the 'Funky Dung' bass line and other components to AHM were developed. By very early 1970 the basic instrumental track sans the orchestra were completed, and the band benefited greatly from the Zabriskie Point studio time even though only a few numbers were selected for the film. The songs/outtakes/demos from these sessions are numerous but of high quality and I love them very much - they range from country to spacey to rocking to avant garde.
2) Ron Geesin and Roger Waters had very recently collaborated on film work for the movie "The Body" which has a bunch of odd classical ditties along with some acoustic songs from Waters, all for a quirky movie about bodily functions. This was largely the impetus to see what Geesin could do for the aforementioned instrumental track from early 1970. Geesin was given 1/6 of the royalties for the AHM album side.
All in all 1968-1972 compromise my favourite PF period in the band's history because they were always challenging themselves and their audiences.
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!! This is so similar topically to Terrapin in that it was a big departure, had orchestral accompaniment not approved of by the band, is generally very appreciated by fans, but hated by the band. I *LOVE* AHM, myself.
BTW, Floyd's '70 and '71 BBC performances are absolutely 100% must listens. A+ versions of AHM, Echoes, and others. So dark, so spacy, so perfect.
The live concert on San Tropez it's an amazing recording of that period.
Agreed. I personally prefer the version with the trombones replacing the violins (but maybe that's because I used to play the trombone myself).
Doug; nice to see how surprised you were while listening to this piece of music! I heard this for the first time as a young boy back in 1971 and I was 13 years old. I remember how surprised I was and that evening I heard this music it was something I never heard before, such strange moods and I was sucked into the music and it took me to some kind of atmosphere I was never been before. It was a very special moment and from then this record was one of my favorite albums. Now after more than 50 years I still listen to it every now and then, it's very special for me.
"Oddly", I bought Floyd's 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th albums (Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, Meddle and Dark side of the Moon) when they came out (yes, I'm THAT old!), but could not get into the odd-numbered albums. Floyd have a habit of using interesting chord progressions - mainly thanks to Rick Wright's jazz influences. Nice reaction, thanks.
So then you got Animals, right?
@@christopherheckman7957 You'd have thought so, wouldn't you? But no - I was into Prog by then - ELP, Yes, van der Graaf...and I left Floyd behind!
@@nightwishlover8913 I know it's up for debate about what constitutes prog rock, but I would definitely include Pink Floyd in that category, and usually see them mentioned as such in discussions about the genre. I'm curious why you don't think they are?
@@jeremey9818 Not speaking for NightwishLover, but I think the argument would be that Floyd was more art rock. In any case they were quite different from the other prog bands given they were more tied to their psychedelic origins and as they evolved moved more towards focusing on textures, mood, tone, soundscapes, etc. (very similar to what would become post rock) rather than the quasi-classical inspirations of ELP, Yes, Van der Graaf, etc. The PF guys really weren't in that same virtuosic realm. One could say they were "progressive" as in genuinely pushing rock forward into new territory. It's just down to how you define the genre.
Tou mean "evenly", right?
My favorite PF track. So underrated. Richard Wright is genius on it.
Love it! I actually saw them play this in 1974 without any orchestral accompaniment and it was still epic. Two other pre-Dark Side Of The Moon albums I’d highly recommend are: Meddle (specifically the song Echoes) and the album, Ummagumma. More of their more avant-garde side. Thanks for the great video! Cheers!
- Tim
When i first heard this back in the day i was tripping on LSD, i was lying on a friends bed with a speaker on either side so i got the full stereo effect, and i can only say it completely blew my mind.
As far as I recall, this is almost the 'forgotten' Pink Floyd album. My older brother had it, way back when, not long after it came out. I loved the cover, so I played it.... and suddenly, the Beach Boys were a thing of the past! A proper life changing piece of music. Indeed, the whole album. It felt like being connected to someone.... they'd used music to say or express something, and I got it. Guess I might have been 10 years old at the time.
Watching you react to it for the first time was wonderful - especially when you know what's coming next! Your analysis of the chord progressions and structure was highly revealing and insightful - first time I've ever come across that for this piece. Adds a whole new level of depth and understanding, so many thanks for that - you have an amazing ear to be able to pick out the notes on the spot!
Side note: Life long Pink Floyd fan - especially the early Syd Barret era stuff. The first thing I heard of theirs was 'See Emily Play' - one of the very few pieces of music I found genuinely frightening. 'Saucerful of Secrets' and 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' - required listening.
I am now a devotee of the Daily Doug and will avidly watch everything else! And commendable choice of beverage - cheers!
I was on psychedelics with I first heard this song , and it's always been a favorite of mine since... I love the incorporation of the brass instruments and the song is so beautiful I don't think it needs words...
Doug, i will strongly recommend to give a listen on Steve Hackett - Shadow of Hierophant (the extended version)
better still, the whole album: Voyage of the Acolyte.
@@QHarefield Ιf he can, it would be lovely but still, if can try this particular song, i'm sure he will be blown away...
The album art was (of course) a concious decision - to counter every notion of stardom (people buying albums because of the name of the group or pictures of certain musicions on it) or the the upcoming 'space rock' genre, which the band didn't feel part of. So it was the most down to earth picture they could find :D
They weren't part of the space rock genre. They invented space rock. Rick Wright's starry scenarios are the most out there sounds l ever heard.
Thanks for that explanation; I've always liked that picture of the cow.
@@kenfalloon3186 There's been a lot of discussion about this on Wikipedia. Is the Tornados' "Telstar" space rock? Or the Byrds "Eight Miles High", which strongly resembles "Interstellar Overdrive" in places??
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Space_rock#McGuinn%2Fthe_Byrds%3F
@@Treviscoe Belamys(MUSE) grand dad played in the Tornados
Storm and Aubrey from Hiypnosis did the cover.The cow was in a field in Potters Bar north of London.
I feel privileged to have lived long enough to have grown up listening to this when it was new and to watch new people discover the magic of Floyd, Rush, Led and the other innovators and risk takers of beauty.
Thanks for your wise and sincere reaction to this recording. When Atom Mother Heart appeared, we rock fans (specially those in the university) found this album as a serious and artistic statement about life. While other bands were somehow just funny and trippy, the Floyd appeared as something more deep and intellectual. Over the years it is still a very interesting piece, specially, as you said, for setting the orchestra in first row and the band as a complement. You may have noticed in this record (as it was in the Echoes live version you presented weeks ago) that keyboardist Richard Wright (1943-2008) was an awesome musician and the spinal column of Pink Floyd's sound.
This is an absolute stonking masterpiece
Yes, Stonking!
I don't know what stonking means, but it sounds like a perfect word for this wonderful and bizarre classic!
@@Paul71H.. I think he misspelled stinking, but I liked Stonking more 😀
I'm almost 40 years old and I've been listening to Pink Floyd since I was a teenager. The first album I bought was the Wall. My musical tastes have shifted and changed, but I've never stopped listening to Pink Floyd, they've been a constant. It's great to see from your video that there's a good reason for that!
This is definitely one of my three favourite PF albums - besides "Meddle" and "Wish You Were Here". A true masterpiece, absolutely timeless!
Doug's facial expression at 19:18 is priceless! Richard Wright was hugely influenced by Sun Ra and this experimental passage is very much akin to 'Atlantis'. The live PF recordings from 1970-1971, especially Ossiach 1971 get really intense on this section. Herbal supplements are great btw! ;-)
To me, the main theme by the brass was one of the best passages ever recorded by Pink Floyd
This track is unique. Pink Floyd never attempted another "song" like this. The band considers it an experiment. While David Gilmour has appeared at a performance of the song by Ron Geesin to play guitar on it, he's not a fan of the song in general. Having said all that, I love this track.
I have to admit I'm not a fan of this work. It sets my teeth on the edge. But I can see that people who have some musical understanding enjoy it. I like what they learned from doing it and see the influence it had on the next 5 albums which I much preferred.
They weren't mainstream ( and really never were mainstream) when this was recorded. They had a cult following at the time. Count me as one of the cult. Started listening to them in late 1967. The look on your face was priceless. Kudos for liking Port Charlotte I'm a big Islay single malt fan.
Exactly. I would argue that their mainstream success only came after DSOTM was critically acclaimed. Obviously bits of The Wall were super popular as well. Even then, they were never the commercial enterprise that the Stones and Zep were. But early Floyd was smart art kids who were gifted musicians getting as weird as they could. I love them for that, but it wasn't really easy listening. It asked the audience to be engaged, which will rarely ever appeal to a mass demographic. Nerdy space rock at its finest.
Exactly. In the context of the time in which this album was released, Pink Floyd were far, far from being mainstream, and Dark Side of the Moon wouldn't be released for another 2 or 3 years.
@@warrenbitters1020 this album got to #1 and all their previous albums were in the top 10 in Britain.
I’m writing from the future (21 months to be semi exact) and this video popped into my recommendations. I’m a huge Pink Floyd fan so I get all kinds of Pink Floyd related recommendations… and aside from bootlegs I may have never heard… This immediately became a favorite video of mine. I wasnt a subscriber (I am now) and I was just knocked out by your reaction to this song. I’m 60 years old and I first heard this song (and album) in 1975 and it quickly became a song that has been both a favorite of mine but also a song that I still am trying to figure out after all of these years. So seeing your reaction (as a composer/ musician) as you listened to it the first time was fantastic. In the 48 years I’ve been listening to it I have never become tired of it. One thing you should check out are the live versions of it both with orchestra/ choir and the just with the four piece band solo. The versions that are just with the band are what they initially intended. I’ve read that the main progression was supposed to have a spaghetti western feel to it. A lot of Pink Floyd’s music from that time had this hybrid spaghetti western/ desert feel to it… The outtakes for the movie “Zabriskie Point” fit into that mold. You should ok for those on UA-cam as well. Since I just found your channel I dont know if you have checked these Pink Floyd songs out but I’ll suggest them just in case you havent… The first is off the album “Ummagumma”. The song is called “ A Saucerful of Secrets”. The second song is off the album “Meddle” and it’s called “Echoes”. I’d love to see your reaction to them as well as hear your thoughts. And now I will go look and see what other videos you have in your repertoire. ✌🏽
Dear Doug, what have you missed in your life?
In 1970 I was 16 years of age and in the years the followed I never lost the emotions I felt sice I first heard this track.
Your comments make it even better, since I started watching your videos the way I listen to music is more and more evolving.
Thank you for that gift.
Reading the comments, and watching the reaction, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who really likes this track. This album often registers near the bottom of favorite Pink Floyd albums. I found this on my own in the 90s, and glommed onto this title track and Summer '68, and I really like those two tracks. Now, while I would come to have experience in audio editing for radio drama, I don't know music at all... so hearing a musician get into and discuss this track was a treat. Thank you for doing this.
Near the bottom? Going on nothing more than demand and price for vinyl albums, this album is not near the bottom, I can assure you. Money talks a lot more accurately than people on the internet.
This has to be listened to, its not background music because of the directions it moves in. its art in its primary form. one of the best albums by far
"I should've brought out the herbal supplements for this one."🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Doug, you made me spill my beer but that's a great idea.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Herbal supplements? Yes, I think they used some "herbal supplements" to make this song XDDDDDD
@@victorjba perhaps fungal supplements as well.😄🍻
Atom Heart Mother is nothing like anything else they have done before or after. It's a unique piece in rock history. A beautiful one.
The other side of the album is just a few songs and a cinematographic interpretation of a morning breakfast routine.
I think it is residual Syd Barrett, possibly the band's own representation as they wrestle with trying to understand madness. But it is ultimately the genius of the arranger that you mentioned, who harnessed it and who is to be credited. This from a 70 year old lady in Maine, lol, but you asked.
I was in my 10th year of piano lessons when I first listened to this piece… i bought the album following a recommendation from a good friend… this experience just blew my mind and i started questioning if what i’ve learned until that time was ok or not… intriguing, mind blowing, opened my mind to other ways of making music… that is one of the reasons why I love Pink Floyd music!!!
For decades now I always loved this for its use of orchestra and chorus. The slow progressions lead to anticipating when the change will occur, and then getting goosebumps, when it happens, like when the chorus comes in again toward the end.
This suite is amazing, I've listened to it dozens of times. But for the FIRST time -and thanks to YOU, Doug- I jumped in joy and full clapping at the last E major note.
You've made my day. Subscribed. Wish you a terrific 2022.
I had the great good fortune of hearing this live in Hyde park, London, in 1970. I haven't been affected as much by any piece of music before or since. It epitomises reach over grasp in its ambition and depth. A largely unacknowleded masterpiece.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish I was already born by the time this album was released but I was just introduced to this master piece 40 when I was at the age 12 . This is atemporal.
Was that the year with the giant octopus inflatable in the lake?
@@frankshailes3205Wow. Was that really there? I thought it was the purple haze tab. 🐙
This is one of those songs that (despite being so long) I need to listen from begining to end every once in a while.
It's charming. It's weird but curiously cozy... I can't understand why.
I've been a Pink Floyd fan since I was a teenager, which was in the late 1970's. Back then it was known as "Acid Rock", and those influences are clearly heard throughout all of their albums. Most especially the earliest ones. I am the proud owner of many of those early albums on vinyl, which I listen to on a Denon DP-62L turntable, with a Benz Micro cartridge. This is played via a Marantz preamp and powered by Krell KMA-100 mono blocks amps driving Swan Cygnus speakers. (each mono amp weighs over 65lbs) For a true old school audio experience (even though the preamp is only 10 years old, but the rest is many decades old) the system provides an wonderful audio experience.
Most underrated floyd album ever! Musically, in my unskilled opinion, their best.
that title has to go to obscured by clouds, by this point most pink floyd fans love ahm
@@bagektheaimineer good point!
Zappa did over 60 albums when he was alive and his estate has released another 70+. Keep listening through his catalog. You'll find plenty of stuff at least as odd as this, but this is such a great piece!!
This was the first song and the first Pink Floyd album I ever heard - I was about 7 years old and that was in 1971, one year after the album was released here in Brazil. I soon fell in love with the collages that the band made in their music, with sounds of horses and brass - it reminded me of the soundtracks of epic movies where there were big battles or ghost movies... and I laughed here seeing the faces and mouths that Doug made while listening to Atom Heart Mother 😂😂... very good!!!! Congratulations on the channel!!!
*This album is very underrated, truly is a great album*
I am so pleased that you have chosen this one and I was interested to know how you would respond. I think that your response was extremely perceptive.
I THINK that what the piece is primarily about is birth - essentially the whole process from conception (the part of the piece at the beginning that is sub-titled "Father's Shout" to birth (which is that final musical resolution). I think that the cow on the cover of the album is an ironic comment on that theme. Pink Floyd loved that kind of visual joking - seen at its most obvious on the cover of the reissue of their first two albums as "A Nice Pair", which is a collection visual puns.
However, I also think that on a different level it is about the creative process - and actually becomes self-referential because it is partly about the process of creating music.
I would be interested to know whether anyone else understands it the same way as I do or whether it is just that (as in Blackadder's description of Nursie) I am just "an insane old woman with an udder fixation".
Loved your comment, it made me examine my thoughts on the meaning of this piece and the ideas the band were trying to convey and I think you nailed it. As for ‘Nursie’, I think we’re all a little bit insane!
This is great stuff, Claire! As always with interpretation there is no right or wrong but rather a sort of making sense of the symbolic journey.
In 1970 they were not a main stream band, never got played on the radio, no advertising, just word of mouth. Number one best seller.
Hello Doug, please listen "Meddle" of Pink Floyd, similar to Atom Heart Mother, but more variety and lyrics, with an spectacular final chord sequence
He made it
ua-cam.com/video/hAbXErolT1w/v-deo.html
@@PedroHenrique-pl6mu sorry, it's true
I love this album. I used to sleep while listening to the track. And wake up at one of the orchestra fff parts! It still gives me goosebumps 40 years after listening to it
Atom Heart Mother is one of the more obscure Pink Floyd compositions, but it lead to so much in the future. If you go all the way out to another primarily instrumental albums, The Endless River, you will see where the Pink Floyd sound comes back full circle.
Thanks for spotlighting this. It is a recording I return to, in order to remind myself of the strange genius of Pink Floyd.
You should try Mike Oldfield's "Incantations" which is a combi rock/classical masterpiece. The whole thing derives from an opening stepwise chord which appears in many different guises and in many different places as the work progresses.
P.S if it is weird Zappa you are after, you need to check out the last side of his first album "Freak Out" from "Help I'm a Rock" onwards, it brings in musique concrete, random (though it becomes apparent controlled) vocalisations, Boulezian pianistic outbursts and has an ending that is as silly as it gets.
Maybe Ommadawn side 1 would even be better to react to
Yes. Its awesome. My favorite Mike Oldfield album
+1 for Ommadawn. It's genius.
Hell he should do Mike Oldfield's first four albums, brilliant compositions.
The title of this song and the album came from the London Evening Standard newspaper headline, "ATOM HEART MOTHER NAMED", about a woman who had had a nuclear-powered pacemaker fitted. The Meddle album has a mostly instrumental (but with some lyrics) piece as the final track (side 2 of the LP), called 'Echoes'. It's 23 mins 30 secs long and is a masterpiece. They also released a film (on YT) of them performing it live at an amphitheatre in Pompeii but without an audience.
And the cow was called Lulubelle III
Saw Floyd perform it live at a free concert in Hyde Park on July 18th 1970 with full orchestra and choir- it was only the second performance of the piece. One of the most memorable live concerts I have seen. The Floyd represent the high watermark of 20th century music, irrespective of genre.
True my friend
That's definitely your opinion. Not mine. They had some amazing songs but they're not infallible. To say "irrespective of genre" is to literally elevate them to God status.
20th century avant garde classical such as Debussy? Nah Pink Floyd. Any countless solo artists such as Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash? Nah Pink Floyd. All blues music? Nah Pink Floyd. All jazz music? Nah Pink Floyd. All electronic music with its vast and innumerable variations? Nah Pink Floyd. All hip hop? Nah Pink Floyd. All music ever created in the 20th century except Pink Floyd? Nah Pink Floyd.
They were special, absolutely - but all music? Insanely arrogant statement.
I was there too, but arrived late and had the surreal experience of walking allong Oxford street towards Hyde Park and hearing it on the wind.
Atom Heart Mother came out during my freshman year in college. I was reading The Lord of the Rings at the time and I have such vivid memories of feeling that AHM was almost a perfect sound track (at least in my mind) to Tolkien's masterpiece. I must admit that that there was definitely some herb involved. One of my all time favorites. Thanks for your "reaction".
According to Roger Waters, Kubrick asked PF for use of AHM in the Clockwork Orange soundtrack, and was refused. Kubrick used W. Carlos and the rest is history. I've always thought it sounded like good soundtrack material.
I have read Alan Moore's Swamp thing stories listening this song and it's very interesting. I highly recommend it.
The early '70s, Pink Floyd's weird acid/space rock, and the Lord of the Rings all seem to go hand-in-hand... the only thing missing are the vans with mattresses in the back, and Gandalf silk-screened on the side smoking a pipe over a Heavy Metal magazine landscape with giant mushrooms, and the stereo playing 8-tracks of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Van Der Graaf Generator, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Iron Butterfly, The Doors, Hawkwind, Crosby/Stills/Nash/Young and the like, and suddenly I'm feeling like I've time-traveled back 40-something years to my childhood, with vivid memories of the time - including sights, smells, tastes, sounds, sensations, and the like!
Oregano helped me listen to many albums
When I was in high school in 1973, my music teacher asked us to bring in examples of the music we were listening to. Somebody brought in this track for the class to listen to. My music teacher, who liked Beethoven, was shocked and surprised. Ron Geesin collaborated on the track. Geesin was an avant garde film composer at the time. Like the Beatles, Pink Floyd recorded at Abbey Road where a lot of claasical orchestras recorded. They were probably influenced by what they heard.
Ron Geesin, says he wrote more of the album than Pink Floyd did.
@@Mrmuchomusic Far more indeed and far more sophisticated than what they could aspire to.
Doug…I lost my big brother in 2000…he was a great guitar player and overall musician. listening to you is the closest musical evaluation experience I have had since I lost him. Thank you so much!
Wow, I don't think I've enjoyed listening to Atom Heart Mother more than just now. That was an experience watching someone classically trained dissect that masterpiece. My second favourite song from my Favourite album.