Saw these guy a few years ago in Ithaca, NY, really, really great show. I'm not as fond of McBroom's voice though my opinion probably means nothing considering that, after once hearing her sing this, Richard Wright has requested she sing at his funeral!
I've been to 6 Brit Floyd shows, going back to when they were The Australian Pink Floyd Show. This version really kinda sucked compared to the other ladies who have performed it over the years.
I met David Gilmour back stage at a concert in California 1984. I asked him about the meaning - reason for “Great Gig In The Sky”…. David’s answer was something like…. .I was asked if Pink Floyd would ever do a song about Religion like some others have… so I said, You are referring to the great gig in the sky they call “God“. What words could be used to describe all the pain and suffering caused by religious beliefs. All the crying and wailing from mothers who lost their husbands or sons in a war fought over religious differences. The only vocals should be just the sound of a mothers crying with pain and suffering. That’s the true intentions of the song. We didn’t want to make that public so as to avoid any religious boycott like what happened to the Beatles after Lennon made his comment about Jesus. We could not tell the singer so as to avoid her making any comments that would end up in the media. The speaking heard at the beginning was recorded at Apple records prior to the recording of the song. Roger Waters placed a recorder at the door asking anyone who walked by to answer some questions into the microphone. The doorman stopped and recorded his answer to the question….”Are You Afraid Of Dying”?. weeks before the song was recorded. It was decided to add the recording to the start of “Great Gig In The Sky”. It leads people to believe the song is about dying, but that is actually not the case. The Great Gig In The Sky…is GOD … The incredible vocals from Clare Torry happened when she did not know what they wanted. David Gilmour told her to pretend her voice is a Saxophone like on other songs on the album, no words, just tones. Results are legendary.
That is completely bs, its about a person dying, going to meet God, first they are suffering and trying to stay here, but then when they let go it changes and they become more at peace, last part she becomes filled with joy at the knowledge she is with him...
$ay Whaatt? Greek Theatre? Oh my gracious GOD? I honestly hadn't heard they were coming from the looks of things it was apparently sold out!!! I would have given top dollars 💲💲💲💲💲
