The Album:
Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" was released on March 1st, 1973, and has since become one of the most iconic and timeless albums in music history. It recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. The album's concept is centered around the dark side of human nature, exploring themes such as greed, mortality, and mental health.
The album is made up of ten tracks, with each song playing a unique role in telling the story of the album. The opening track, "Speak to Me," sets the tone for the album, acting as an overture of sorts. It is followed by "Breathe," which introduces the album's main theme of the pressures of modern life.
"On the Run" is a fast-paced instrumental track that represents the chaos and stress of modern life, while "Time" explores the inevitability of mortality and the fear of wasting time. "The Great Gig in the Sky" is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores the idea of death and the afterlife.
"Money" is perhaps the album's most famous song and critiques the greed and materialism of society. "Us and Them" is a melancholic track that reflects on the futility of war and conflict. "Any Colour You Like" is another instrumental track, this time showcasing the band's mastery of sound effects and experimental music.
The album's closing tracks, "Brain Damage" and "Eclipse," bring the album full circle, with "Eclipse" ending with the same heartbeat that "Speak to Me" began with, creating a sense of closure.
The tour:
Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" tour in 1972 and 1973 was a groundbreaking experience for both the band and their audiences. The tour began in March 1972, just a few months before the album's release, and continued through the end of 1973, with shows in the United States, Europe, and Japan. The tour was characterized by elaborate stage shows, featuring state-of-the-art lighting and projection technology, and stunning visual effects that perfectly complemented the album's themes.
The tour's setlist included songs from "The Dark Side of the Moon," as well as older material like "Echoes" and "Atom Heart Mother." The band's performances were marked by their use of quadraphonic sound, which allowed for a more immersive and dynamic listening experience. The quadraphonic sound system was a new technology at the time and was used to great effect during the tour, with sounds moving from speaker to speaker, creating a unique and memorable experience for audiences.
The tour's most memorable feature was the band's use of elaborate lighting and projection effects. The band employed state-of-the-art lighting technology to create stunning visual displays that were perfectly synced with the music. The tour's projection effects were also a major highlight, with the band projecting stunning images and animations onto a large screen behind the stage. These effects added to the overall sensory experience of the concert and helped to bring the album's themes to life on stage. The "The Dark Side of the Moon" tour was a turning point for Pink Floyd, and the success of the tour cemented the band's status as one of the most innovative and creative acts in rock music. The tour's success was also a testament to the power of live music and its ability to bring people together in a shared experience. The band's live shows were also a crucial part of the album's concept. The live performances often featured elaborate light shows and projections, which were incorporated into the album's artwork. The band's live shows also allowed them to experiment with new ideas and sounds, and to get a sense of how audiences were responding to their music. One of the most significant live shows in the album's history was the 1972 performance at the Rainbow Theatre in London. This show featured an early version of "The Dark Side of the Moon," which included different lyrics and song titles. The performances allowed the band to try out new ideas and to get a sense of how audiences were responding to their music. They made this album on the road basically so it could be perfect.
The Gear:
Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" is an iconic album that remains a landmark in the history of rock music. Released in 1973, the album was the result of years of experimentation and innovation by the band, and it showcased their ability to blend various musical elements to create a unique and unforgettable sound. The gear used on the album played a crucial role in shaping its sound. The band used a range of guitars, basses, drums, and keyboards to create the sonic landscape that would become the hallmark of "The Dark Side of the Moon." One of the most distinctive sounds on the album is the use of the EMS VCS3 synthesizer. This was a cutting-edge piece of equipment at the time, and its unique sound helped to create the haunting and otherworldly atmospheres that feature throughout the album. Another key piece of equipment was the Fender Rhodes electric piano, which was used extensively on tracks such as "Us and Them" and "Time." The band also made use of a range of other keyboards, including the Hammond organ and the Farfisa organ, to create a wide range of sounds and textures. The guitars used on the album included a range of Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters. David Gilmour, the band's lead guitarist, also made use of a range of effects pedals to create his signature sound, including the Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face pedal and the Uni-Vibe modulation pedal. This fuzz pedal is special because it uses a silicon transistor, which makes the tone harsher, boosting his solos through all the instruments for tracks such as "Time" and "Us and Them," Gilmour made extensive use of his Black Fender Stratocaster, using the guitar's tremolo arm to create the soaring, emotional solos that the band is known for. Another key element of the album's guitar sound was the use of lap steel guitar, played by guitarist and session musician Dave Wintour. The lap steel guitar is a unique instrument that is played by sliding a steel bar across the strings, producing a distinctive and evocative sound. It can be heard prominently on tracks such as "Breathe" and "The Great Gig in the Sky," adding a mournful and atmospheric quality to the music. Overall, the guitars on "The Dark Side of the Moon" played a crucial role in shaping the album's sound, contributing to its emotional impact and musical innovation. The bass guitars used on the album included a Fender Precision Bass, which was played by Roger Waters, and a Rickenbacker 4001 that was previously used on the album “Meddle” for the song “One of these Days” The drums on the album were recorded uniquely, with the band using a range of techniques to create a rich and dynamic sound. For example, the drums on "Money" were recorded in a specially-designed room with a unique acoustic signature, which helped to create the distinctive sound of the track.
"The Dark Side of the Moon" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, which was also the location for many of the Beatles' most iconic recordings. The studio was equipped with cutting-edge equipment at the time, including a 16-track mixing console, which allowed the band to create complex and layered arrangements. One of the things that make "The Dark Side of the Moon" so unique and ahead of its time is the way that the band blended different musical elements to create a seamless and cohesive sound. The album features elements of rock, jazz, and classical music, as well as experimental sound effects and spoken word samples. Another key factor was the way that the band used the studio as an instrument, using techniques such as tape loops, backward recording, and stereo panning to create a rich and immersive sound. This was particularly evident on tracks such as "On the Run" and "Any Colour You Like," which feature complex and intricate soundscapes that are still revered by musicians and fans today.
In conclusion, "The Dark Side of the Moon" is a masterpiece of musical innovation and experimentation, and the gear used on the album played a crucial role in shaping its sound. From the haunting sound of the EMS VCS3 synthesizer to the rich and dynamic drum sound, every element of the album was carefully crafted to create a unique and unforgettable sonic landscape. I want to give a special thanks to Bjørn Riis for the photos and fact-checking! He has been a great help and a good friend in the Pink Floyd musician community.
The Box Set:
The box set was released in March 2023, marking the 50th anniversary of the original release of the Dark Side of the Moon album. The box set is a comprehensive celebration of the iconic album, featuring a wide range of materials for Pink Floyd fans and collectors. Right now it is around $300 and on backorder. I got it on pre-order and I love it! The book shows a lot of great photos and gives you a great behind-the-scenes look at the band. The Vinyls and CDs are top quality! The coolest thing in the set is a book that has sheet music for all the songs. It is expensive and you get some things out of by themselves, but if you’re a huge fan like me, this is a must-have!
The contents of the box set include:
Remastered album on CD and vinyl: The original album has been remastered and is included in both CD and vinyl formats.
High-resolution 5.1 surround mix: The album is also presented in a high-resolution 5.1 surround mix on Blu-ray.
Unreleased material: Two additional CDs feature previously unreleased live performances and alternate versions of tracks from the album.
Book: The set includes a hardcover book featuring rare photos and artwork, as well as new essays about the making of the album.
Prints and tour programs: The box set also includes a set of high-quality art prints and replica tour programs from the original tour for the album.
