David Gilmour, former Pink Floyd guitarist, has announced the upcoming release of his fifth studio album, ‘Luck And Strange,’ his first solo outing in nine years. The announcement was accompanied by the news of the album’s lead single, ‘A Piper’s Call,’ which will be unveiled on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on April 25th. The release of the single will be followed by the launch of its accompanying music video on April 26th.
Recorded over a five-month period in Brighton and London, ‘Luck And Strange’ marks a new chapter in Gilmour’s solo career, featuring collaborations with his wife, Polly Sampson, and producer Charlie Andrew (Alt-J, Wolf Alice). The album’s tracklist comprises eight original compositions and a reimagined version of The Montgolfier Brothers’ ‘Between Two Points,’ inviting listeners on an eclectic musical journey.
Complementing Gilmour’s artistry, ‘Luck And Strange’ features an array of talented guest musicians, including Guy Pratt and Tom Herbert on bass, Adam Betts, Steve Gadd, and Steve DiStanislao on drums, Rob Gentry, and Roger Eno (brother of Brian Eno) on keyboards, with string and choral arrangements by Will Gardner. The album’s release is scheduled for September 6th, and pre-orders and pre-saves are now available.
The album’s title track, ‘Luck and Strange,’ carries a special significance, featuring the late Pink Floyd keyboard player Richard Wright, who recorded his contribution during a jam session at Gilmour’s house in 2007. Other elements of the album emerged from the live streams that Gilmour and his family performed during the global pandemic, showcasing a blend of musical talents within the family.
Gilmour’s daughter, Romany Gilmour, contributes her vocals, harp-playing, and takes the lead on ‘Between Two Points,’ while his son, Gabriel Gilmour, provides backing vocals. Speaking about the familial collaboration, Gilmour expressed his joy, stating, “Polly and I have been writing together for over thirty years, and the Von Trapped live streams showed the great blend of Romany’s voice and harp-playing. That led us into a feeling of discarding some of the past that I’d felt bound to and that I could throw those rules out and do whatever I felt like doing, and that has been such a joy.”
In addition to his solo endeavors, Gilmour recently joined a star-studded lineup to record a cover of Mark Knopfler’s ‘Going Home’ for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America, demonstrating his continued support for charitable causes.
