Pink Floyd - 1992 "Shine On" [9 CD Box]

Shine On is a 1992 nine-CD box set by Pink Floyd which was released through EMI Records in the United Kingdom and Columbia Records in the United States to coincide with Pink Floyd's 25th anniversary as a recording and touring band. All CDs were digitally remastered.

This box set devoted to Pink Floyd was somewhat frustrating at the time of its release. Priced at over 100 dollars, it included nine CDs drawn equally from their EMI and Columbia Records, starting with their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets. That seemed to confuse a lot of people who regard that transitional album as a lot less important and alluring than its predecessor, Piper at the Gates of Dawn. On the other hand, EMI was planning its own special edition of that album, and it could be argued that the hardcore fans who might be attracted to this set would certainly already own the debut album, and be prepared to buy EMI's special edition of it. The essential problem is that Pink Floyd, like most prog rock and psychedelic acts of its era, left behind precious few outtakes that would be viable as bonus features for a box such as this. It's not as though they followed too many blind alleys, or left behind multiple versions of, say, "Atom Heart Mother" the way, say, a blues-based band might've done some rehearsal jams on, say, "Crossroads" or some other standard; most prog rock works sort of stand as they are, and if outtakes do exist, chances are excellent that they never got to the point of getting vocals added. So that all one can really do is upgrade the sound, which was badly needed, and enhance the packaging, and that comes from the hardcover book in the box; and the bonus tracks, courtesy of EMI, come in the form of the ninth CD, titled "The Early Singles," which has proved so popular over the years that it's been bootlegged as a real CD (that is, not a CD-R).

The book Shine On includes lots of illustrations and even a time line depicting the history around the band's releases, and while it all could have been a little better organized and a bit more ambitious, this is a handy small-scale coffee table book. The flaw lies in the packaging of the box, which is a little flimsy over time in terms of its ability to hold the book and the CDs, and the bonus art. On the other hand, the CDs are sort of packaged to be displayed -- the spine of the eight discs lined up properly on a shelf form the image of the light beam and prism from Dark Side of the Moon. In all, it was the perfect Christmas gift (hence its release in early November) for fanatical Floyd followers, and it still holds up reasonably well. The early singles platter is still a killer collection even if it is the shortest of the discs here, and the rest has its audience, none quite mutually exclusive, and it's understandable why some of the rest of their library -- such as the early soundtrack efforts and the live/studio composite Ummagumma -- was left out of what was supposed to be their best profile. And all of the missing works have now been upgraded as well. Indeed, coupled with the special mono and stereo editions of Piper at the Gates of Dawn done around the same time by EMI, this box would, indeed, make the ultimate Pink Floyd experience.

The eight albums included in this box set are:

    A Saucerful of Secrets
    Meddle
    The Dark Side of the Moon
    Wish You Were Here
    Animals
    The Wall (double album)
    A Momentary Lapse of Reason
    The Early Singles (bonus CD not available elsewhere)

The packaging on each of the previously released albums was unique to this set. The spines of the eight black CD cases lined up to show the prism from The Dark Side of the Moon.

Included with the box set was a hardcover book chronicling the career of Pink Floyd from its inception to the late 1980s and an envelope of postcards depicting artwork from the included seven albums and the cover of the set itself.

As the collection was meant to showcase the best of Pink Floyd, the decision was made to not include the soundtrack albums More or Obscured by Clouds, or the albums Ummagumma, Atom Heart Mother and The Final Cut . The band's first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn was not included, as at the time EMI were planning to release a special edition of the album, and it was hoped that new fans would buy both this set and the re-released debut.

According to drummer Nick Mason, a suggestion for the title of the box set was The Big Bong Theory. David Gilmour said calling the box set Shine On was not a bowing out retirement box set but a continuation.

1992 "The Early Singles"


This is an collection of Pink Floyd's 60s singles along with their B-sides. It's interesting hearing three-minute singles from a band mostly known for epic album-oriented rock music and psychedelic freak-outs.

The first five songs are from when Syd Barrett was the band's frontman. They exhibit Syd's talent for making outlandish, yet irrestible pop music very well. The next two ("It Would Be So Nice" and "Paintbox")are from a very brief period in Pink Floyd's history when keyboardist Richard Wright was said to be the next leader of Pink Floyd, Syd having fallen mentally ill. They're decent, but seem to lack momentum and enthusiasm when compared to Syd's work. The last three ("Julia Dream", "Point Me At the Sky", and "Careful With That Axe, Eugene") are the work of bassist Roger Waters, with Dave Gilmour co-composing "Point Me At the Sky". That track and "Julia Dream" are both excellent early examples of the work of the Floyd lineup that would become one of the most legendary bands of the classic rock era. "Julia Dream" is a haunting song with spine-tingling organ and softly sung, paranoid lyrics. "Point Me At the Sky" is an ambitious piece about a man who shoots himself off into space in a rocketship. "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" is a well-known Pink Floyd staple that I believe sounds much better live (on "Ummagumma") than in the studio, although the studio version is still good.

Get this CD for "Point Me At the Sky", which doesn't appear on any other CD release that I am aware of. It's a good way to get the other singles in one place as well.

Track listing

    "Arnold Layne" (Syd Barrett) – 2:57
    "Candy and a Currant Bun" (Barrett) – 2:47
    "See Emily Play" (Barrett) – 2:54
    "The Scarecrow" (Barrett) – 2:10
    "Apples and Oranges" (Barrett) – 3:08
    "Paint Box" (Richard Wright) – 3:47
    "It Would Be So Nice" (Wright) – 3:46
    "Julia Dream" (Roger Waters) – 2:35
    "Point Me at the Sky" (Waters, David Gilmour) – 3:35
    "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" (Gilmour, Waters, Wright, Nick Mason) – 5:44

Original release dates

    1, 2: 11 March 1967
    3, 4: 17 June 1967
    5, 6: 18 November 1967
    7, 8: 13 April 1968
    9, 10: 17 December 1968

Personnel

    Syd Barrett – guitar on 1 to 6; vocals on 1 to 5; backing vocals on 6
    David Gilmour – guitar on 7 to 10; vocals on 8, 9, 10; backing vocals on 7
    Nick Mason – drums, percussion
    Roger Waters – bass guitar; vocals on 9, 10; backing vocals on 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Richard Wright – piano; organ; mellotron on 7, 8; vibraphone on 10; vocals on 6, 7; backing vocals on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9


 1968 [1992] "A Saucerful Of Secrets"

A Saucerful of Secrets is the second studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It was recorded at EMI's Abbey Road Studios on various dates from August 1967 to April 1968 and was released on 29 June 1968, through EMI Columbia in the United Kingdom, while the album was released on 27 July 1968 in the United States by Tower.
The album was recorded before and after Syd Barrett's departure from the group. Owing to Barrett's behaviour becoming increasingly unpredictable, David Gilmour was recruited in January 1968.^[1][2] As a result, A Saucerful of Secrets became the only non-compilation Pink Floyd album on which all five band members appeared, the first for Gilmour, with him appearing on five songs ("Let There Be More Light", "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun", "Corporal Clegg", "A Saucerful of Secrets" and "See-Saw"), and the last for Barrett, with him on three ("Remember a Day", "Jugband Blues" and "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun").^[3] "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" was the only song all five members appeared on together. Drummer Nick Mason declared A Saucerful of Secrets his favourite Pink Floyd album.
A transitional album on which the band moved from Syd Barrett's relatively concise and vivid songs to spacy, ethereal material with lengthy instrumental passages. Barrett's influence is still felt (he actually did manage to contribute one track, the jovial "Jugband Blues"), and much of the material retains a gentle, fairy-tale ambience. "Remember a Day" and "See Saw" are highlights; on "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," "Let There Be More Light," and the lengthy instrumental title track, the band begin to map out the dark and repetitive pulses that would characterize their next few records.

Tracks Listing

1. Let There Be More Light (5:38)
2. Remember A Day (4:33)
3. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun (5:28)
4. Corporal Clegg (4:12)
5. A saucerful Of Secrets (11:57)
6. See-Saw (4:36)
7. Jugband Blues (2:59)

Total Time: 39:23

Personnel:

- Syd Barrett / guitar, vocals
- David Gilmour / guitar, vocals
- Nick Mason / drums
- Roger Waters / bass, vocals
- Richard Wright / organ, piano, vocal


1971 [1992] "Meddle"

Meddle is the sixth studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd, released on 30 October 1971 by Harvest Records. It was produced between the band's touring commitments, from January to August 1971. The album was recorded at a series of locations around London, including Abbey Road Studios and Morgan Studios.
With no material to work with and no clear idea of the album's direction, the group devised a series of novel experiments which eventually inspired the album's signature track, "Echoes". Although many of the band's later albums would be unified by a central theme with lyrics written mainly by Roger Waters, Meddle was a group effort with lyrical contributions from each member, and is considered a transitional album between the Syd Barrett-influenced group of the late 1960s and the emerging Pink Floyd. The cover, incorporating a close-up shot of an ear underwater was, as with several previous albums, designed by Hipgnosis, though Storm Thorgerson was unhappy with the final result.
The album was well received by music critics upon its release. However, despite being commercially successful in the United Kingdom, lackluster publicity on the part of their United States-based label led to poor sales there upon initial release (though it would eventually be certified 2x Platinum as the band's popularity increased).

Tracks Listing

1. One Of These Days (5:56)
2. A Pillow Of Winds (5:13)
3. Fearless (6:08)
4. San Tropez (3:43)
5. Seamus (2:15)
6. Echoes (23:27)

Total Time: 46:42

Line-up / Musicians

- David Gilmour / guitars, vocals
- Nick Mason / drums
- Roger Waters / bass, vocals
- Richard Wright / keyboards, vocals


1973 [1992] "Dark Side Of The Moon"

The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released on 1 March 1973. It built on ideas explored in the band's earlier recordings and live shows, but lacks the extended instrumental excursions that characterised their work following the departure in 1968 of founder member, principal composer, and lyricist, Syd Barrett. The themes on The Dark Side of the Moon include conflict, greed, the passage of time, and mental illness, the latter partly inspired by Barrett's deteriorating mental state.
Developed during live performances, an early version of the suite was premiered several months before studio recording began; new material was recorded in two sessions in 1972 and 1973 at Abbey Road Studios in London. The group used some of the most advanced recording techniques of the time, including multitrack recording and tape loops. Analogue synthesizers were given prominence in several tracks, and a series of recorded interviews with the band's road crew and others provided the philosophical quotations used throughout. Engineer Alan Parsons was responsible for some of the album's most notable sonic aspects and the recruitment of non-lexical singer Clare Torry. The album's iconic sleeve, designed by Storm Thorgerson, features a prism that represents the band's stage lighting, the record's lyrical themes, and keyboardist Richard Wright's request for a "simple and bold" design.
The Dark Side of the Moon was an immediate success; it topped the Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart for one week and remained in the charts for 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988. With an estimated 50 million copies sold, it is Pink Floyd's most commercially successful album and one of the best-selling albums worldwide. It has twice been remastered and re-released, and has been covered in its entirety by several other acts. It produced two singles, "Money" and "Time". The Dark Side of the Moon is Pink Floyd's most popular album among fans and critics, and has been ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time.

 Tracks Listing

1. Speak To Me (1:16)
2. Breathe (2:44)
3. On The Run (3:32)
4. Time / Breathe (reprise) (7:06)
5. The Great Gig In The Sky (4:44)
6. Money (6:32)
7. Us And Them (7:40)
8. Any Colour You Like (3:25)
9. Brain Damage (3:50)
10. Eclipse (2:04)

Total Time: 42:53

Line-up / Musicians

- David Gilmour / guitars, vocals, VCS3
- Nick Mason / drums, percussion, tape effects
- Roger Waters / bass, vocals, VCS3, tape effects
- Richard Wright / keyboards, vocals, VCS3

With:
- Dick Parry / saxophone (6-7)
- Clare Torry / lead vocals (5)
- Leslie Duncan / backing vocals
- Lisa Strike / backing vocals
- Barry St. John / backing vocals
- Doris Troy / backing vocals


1975 [1992] "Wish You Were Here"

Wish You Were Here is the ninth studio album by the English progressive rock group Pink Floyd, released in September 1975. Inspired by material the group composed while performing across Europe, Wish You Were Here was recorded in numerous sessions at London's Abbey Road Studios. Some of the songs critique the music business, others express alienation, and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is a tribute to Syd Barrett, whose mental breakdown had forced him to leave the group seven years earlier. It was lead writer Roger Waters' idea to split "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" into two parts and use it to bookend the album around three new compositions, introducing a new concept as the group had done with their previous album, The Dark Side of the Moon.
As with The Dark Side of the Moon, the band used studio effects and synthesizers, and brought in guest singers to supply vocals on some tracks of the album. These singers were Roy Harper, who provided the lead vocals on "Have a Cigar", and The Blackberries, who added backing vocals to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".
The album became an instant commercial success and record company EMI was unable to print enough copies to satisfy demand. Although it initially received mixed reviews, the album has since been acclaimed by critics and appears on Rolling Stone‍ '​s list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Band members Richard Wright and David Gilmour have each cited Wish You Were Here as their favourite Pink Floyd album.

Tracks Listing

1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 1 - 5 (13:40)
2. Welcome To The Machine (7:31)
3. Have A Cigar (5:08)
4. Wish You Were Here (5:34)
5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 6 - 9 (12:31)

Total Time: 44:25

Line-up / Musicians

- David Gilmour / guitars, vocals
- Nick Mason / drums, percussion
- Roger Waters / bass, vocals
- Richard Wright / keyboards

Guest musicians:
- Roy Harper / vocals (3)
- Dick Parry / saxophone (track 1, part 5)
- Carlena Williams, Vanetta Fields / backing vocals


1977 [1992] "Animals"

Animals is the tenth studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd, released in January 1977. A concept album, it provides a scathing critique of the social-political conditions of late 1970s Britain, and presents a marked change in musical style from their earlier work. Animals was recorded at the band's studio, Britannia Row, in London, but its production was punctuated by the early signs of discord that three years later would culminate in keyboardist Richard Wright leaving the band. The album's cover image, a pig floating between two chimneys on Battersea Power Station, was conceived by bassist and writer Roger Waters, and photographed by long-time collaborators Hipgnosis.
The album was released to generally positive reviews in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 2. It was also a success in the United States, reaching number 3 on the Billboard 200, and although it scored on the American charts for only six months, steady sales have resulted in its certification by the RIAA at four times platinum. The size of the venues on the band's In the Flesh Tour, and an incident in which Waters spat at a fan, prompted him to conceive the band's subsequent album, The Wall.

Tracks Listing

1. Pigs on the wing Part 1 (1:25)
2. Dogs (17:04)
3. Pigs (three different ones) (11:28)
4. Sheep (10:16)
5. Pigs on the wing Part 2 (1:25)

Total Time: 41:38

Line-up / Musicians

- David Gilmour / guitars, vocals
- Nick Mason / drums, percussion
- Roger Waters / bass, vocals
- Richard Wright / keyboards


1979 [1992] "The Wall" [2 CD]

The Wall is the eleventh studio album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd. It is the last studio album released with the classic lineup of guitarist David Gilmour, bassist/lyricist Roger Waters, keyboardist Richard Wright and drummer Nick Mason before Wright left the band. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was supported by a tour with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a 1982 feature film, Pink Floyd – The Wall.
As with Pink Floyd's previous three albums, The Wall is a concept album and explores themes of abandonment and personal isolation. The album is a rock opera that follows Pink, a character whom Waters modelled after himself and the band's original leader, Syd Barrett. Pink's life begins with the loss of his father during the Second World War and continues with abuse from his schoolteachers, an overprotective mother, and the breakdown of his marriage; all contribute to his eventual self-imposed isolation from society, represented by a metaphorical wall. Waters conceived the album during Pink Floyd's 1977 In the Flesh Tour, when his frustration with the audience became so acute that he imagined a wall between the audience and the stage.
The Wall features a harsher and more theatrical style than Pink Floyd's previous albums. Wright left the band during its production but remained as a salaried musician, performing with Pink Floyd during the Wall tour. The album was one of the best selling of 1980, and by 1999 it had sold over 23 million RIAA-certified units (11.5 million albums) in the United States. Rolling Stone placed The Wall at number 87 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".

Tracks Listing

CD 1: 38:58
1. In The Flesh? (3:17)
2. The Thin Ice (2:28)
3. Another Brick In The Wall Part 1 (3:41)
4. The Happiest Days Of Our Lives (1:20)
5. Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 (3:56)
6. Mother (5:32)
7. Goodbye Blue Sky (2:48)
8. Empty Spaces (5:36)
9. Young Lust (2:03)
10. One Of My Turns (1:33)
11. Don't Leave Me Now (4:22)
12. Another Brick In The Wall Part 3 (1:17)
13. Goodbye Cruel World (1:05)

CD 2: 40:43
1. Hey You (4:39)
2. Is There Anybody Out There! (2:40)
3. Nobody Home (3:25)
4. Vera (1:38)
5. Bring The Boys Back Home (0:50)
6. Comfortably Numb (6:49)
7. The Show Must Go On (1:36)
8. In The Flesh (4:16)
9. Run Like Hell (4:22)
10. Waiting For The Worms (3:56)
11. Stop (0:34)
12. The Trial (5:16)
13. Outside The Wall (1:42)

Total Time: 79:41

Line-up / Musicians

- David Gilmour / guitars, vocals
- Nick Mason / drums, percussion
- Roger Waters / bass, vocals
- Richard Wright / keyboards, vocals

WITH:
- Joe Chemay, Stan Farber, Jim Haas, Bruce Johnston, John Joyce & Toni Tenille / voices
Pupils from Islingtown Green School Choir


1987 [1992] "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason"

A Momentary Lapse of Reason is the thirteenth studio album by the English progressive rock group Pink Floyd, released in the UK and US in September 1987. It followed guitarist David Gilmour's decision to include material recorded for his third solo album on a new Pink Floyd album with Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and keyboardist Richard Wright. Although for legal reasons Wright could not be re-admitted to the band, with Mason he helped Gilmour craft what became the first Pink Floyd album since the departure of bass guitarist, singer, and primary songwriter Roger Waters in December 1985.
A Momentary Lapse of Reason was recorded primarily on Gilmour's converted houseboat, Astoria. Its production was marked by an ongoing legal dispute with Waters as to who owned the rights to Pink Floyd's name, an issue resolved several months after the album was released. Unlike many of Pink Floyd's studio albums, A Momentary Lapse of Reason has no central theme and is instead a collection of songs written by Gilmour, sometimes with outside songwriters.
Though it received mixed reviews and was derided by Waters, A Momentary Lapse of Reason outsold Pink Floyd's previous album The Final Cut (1983) and was supported by a successful world tour. It has been certified quadruple platinum in the United States.

Tracks Listing

1. Signs Of Life (4:24)
2. Learning To Fly (4:53)
3. The Dogs Of War (6:05)
4. One Slip (5:10)
5. On The Turning Away (5:42)
6. Yet Another Movie (6:18)
7. Round And Round (1:10)
8. A New Machine Part One (1:46)
9. Terminal Frost (6:17)
10. A New Machine Part Two (0:38)
11. Sorrow (8:46)

Total Time: 51:09

Line-up / Musicians

- David Gilmour / guitars, vocals, keyboards, sequencers
- Nick Mason / acoustic & electronic drums, sound f/x

WITH:
- Carmine Appice / drums
- John Carin / keyboards
- Bob Ezrin / keyboards, sequencers, percussion
- Steve Forman / percussion
- John Halliwell / saxophone
- Jim Keltner / drums
- Michael Landau / guitar
- Pat Leonara / synthesizers
- Tony Levin / bass, Stick
- Scott Page / tenor sax
- Bill Payne / Hammond organ
- Tom Scott / alto & soprano saxes
- Richard Wright / keyboards, vocals
- Donnie Gerrard, Darlene Koldenhaven, Phyllis St. James & Carmo Twille / backing vocals.