Vocal ANALYSIS of "The Great Gig In The Sky". One of my most interesting analyses!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- This is the third time I've ever heard Pink Floyd, and there will be much more to come. Their composition, the musicality and story they tell with each song I've heard has been exquisite. I can't tell you how excited I am to finally release this to you!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Pink Floyd performing for the first time, "The Great Gig In The Sky".
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Written and Performed by Pink Floyd
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
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I hear all of you, and I apologize for not picking the original version of this song. Much akin to what I did with Comfortably Numb (I heard it first on a Patreon playlist, then analyzed it after the fact), I will put the original "The Great Gig In The Sky" on my recording list featuring Claire Torry very soon, and will start the copyright clearing process.
Please bear with me, as most times I don't know the best version of songs and always opt for live over studio recorded. In this case, I apologize profusely!
Do it again with the studio version please!!! Thanks for your videos
I dont thnik you need to apologize. There is the original singer, but in the various live shows the different singers loosely follow the original, but add some "flare" to the performances. I dont think there is a best version. The music just allows the vocalist to shine and the whole package just takes you away.
I wish you would do the original by Clare Torry. At least I hope you will listen to it some day.
Elizabeth,
In my experience I've witnessed all sorts of people connect to this song on all sorts of levels.
Lyric's come a close second in relation to the vocal expression of a human in an emotionally moving state singing!
Vowels alone are perfect, in the right setting I'd listen to vowels a,e,i,o,u sung anyways arrangement.
PK are Masters of what they do .
No need to apologize! I can understand why you would prefer the live versions for analysis, but I can promise that you will enjoy the original so much and it really embodies the idea of accepting death that Pink Floyd was going for with such incredible nuance! If you do make a new video for the original, I will give you massive credit. Much love!
Clare Torry's original studio version was one of those unique moments in time when the cosmos aligned and subsequent attempts to duplicate it, no matter how well done, will never match it. It's just one of those extremely rare moments that can never be replicated.
Any time this song has been performed or recorded since has been an attempt to catch that same lightning in a new bottle.
This Pulse performance is pretty amazing… but there’s just nothing like the original inspiration.
Dang, reviewing the copy of the original, even if it is the same Clare, it's just not the same effect.....
True. Clare Torry's studio version was the most unique version.
Plus it was (eventually) agreed that her performance was significant enough to get her a composer's credit on all releases from (I think) 1972 . . .
That after her having been paid a flat "session" fee of £30.
Agreed original singer is the bar...
welcome to Pink Floyd. as everyone has mentioned original version is the benchmark.
Hello my smooth calved hero 🦵
It absolutely is. I actually love the first singer in Delicate Sound of Thunder though, Rachel Fury.
I think this is good but the original is the best.
Absolutely. I don't know who recommended a live version? it makes no sense. It is of course good, but nowhere even near the original.
@@EhsanKeshavarzian Wasn't her "direction" kind of like, "Just wing it?" I seem to recall reading somewhere that Claire was fascinated with "scat" singing and just let fly. I could be mistaken, but it's a cool story :)
When I first did it on Delicate Sound Of Thunder with Rachel Fury and Machan Taylor, we stayed much closer to the original. On this version, Sam and Claudia really made it more their own. I’ve grown into my own interpretation as well. The section that Sam is singing is when you first learn that you’re dying and you’re raging at God. The second section that I sing is when you’re gripped with that deep sadness. The third section that Claudia sings is when you finally find acceptance (May she Rest In Peace). When Richard Wright knew that he was going to die, he actually set aside funds to fly me to his memorial service, because of anyone who’s ever sung this, he wanted me to sing it for him on that day. Thank you so much for the kind words.
A beautiful memory for you, I hope, thankyou for telling us... 😊
It is easily the most evocative song ever written - the fact it's sans lyrics makes it even more so. Says something about your skill set knowing Richard wanted your voice to send him off to the heavens...
Durga you knocked that shit out of the park! Mad respect!
You did an absolutely phenomenal job on this and I'm not surprised at Richard's response. Thank you so much and God bless you.
Thank you so much for the insight!
I was in the studio, when Clare did this, she was just warming up. David said, relax an go with whatever you feel is right. She apologized for the advice and asked what should she do. Well, thats perfect.
We all sat there in bewilderment. Perfection
Man, this must have been an experience of a lifetime
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THAT'S SO SICK
That must have been amazing!!
Lucky you. She excelled.
Does anyone smell that 💩💩
All versions are great. Claire Torry doing original is the greatest.
Agreed. This was phenomenal. The original is better.
I agree, too. Who is this singer?
{:-:-:}
the first part was Sam Brown ("Stop" was a hit, which also had Gavin Harrison [Porcupine Tree] on the studio version)
th-cam.com/video/nUZrOo_dAKU/w-d-xo.html
This
She whipped that badassery out in the studio off the cuff, and had to sue PF for the credit
Great song
Agreed
I've become friends with Clare Torry in recent years, and even in her 70's her voice is just as incredible. She told me that she went to Abbey Road with her new boyfriend, not knowing or caring about who Pink Floyd were at the time. They didn't have a clue what they wanted, so she just let rip in what she described as a lust-fueled performance - kind of showing off to her boyfriend in the Control room. After the second take she attempted a third, but told them she couldn't do anything better, and within an hour she was having dinner out in London, and promptly forgot about the session until the album was on the shelves and doing rather well. She wouldn't tell me what the settlement was, but she's on good terms with them all and has some amazing first edition pressings given to her by EMI. She misses those exciting times when London was buzzing with new music and lots of session work, and she now lives alone in South West London having lost her husband a few years ago. She's a real fire cracker, says it how it is, and has a lot of cool stories.
Thanks for sharing this! Clare sounds like an amazing artist!
😎 Cool! Glad she got the settlement, and future credits! So deserved! To be able to walk in to a studio like that, and belt out emotions and have the musicality and creativity to come up with something like that - is pure artistry!
I don't want to fanboy all over the place, but the work she did was just amazing. Not only are the vocals fantastic, but given what she was told, what she had to work with, it's astounding she was able to improvise such a wonderful performance on the spot. One of those historic moments when the right person is in the right place at the right time, inspiration hits, and a timeless thing of beauty is created. Many immensely talented women have performed this song many times, but I've never heard her performance equaled, let alone surpassed. She created a beautiful thing for the ages.
Lovely to have some background- this makes me cry every time whether on the album or live guest performers- it captures the human condition so well - the sensual and the spiritual
Thank you so much for giving us the background story. Clare Torry’s vocal performance on Great Gig in the Sky has always stood out in my mind as one of the most awe inspiring moments in the history of rock music. It literally gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. You are very blessed to know her.
Hi Elizabeth, the narration is the same sample used on the original recording. It's an employee at Abbey Road Studios, the doorman actually! His name was Gerry O'Driscoll. They went around asking people their thoughts about dying, (which is what the song is about ironically written by Richard) and they recorded their responses to put on the track. Love your channel by the way. Your genuine enthusiasm and energy is really lovely.
wonder if he was related to the drummer on the first RITCHIE BLACKMORES ALBUM, who had the name Gary Driscoll en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Driscoll
As has been said many times, the Studio version is the best version of this song. But it is hard to beat multiple voices singing live. Now for the challenge Elizabeth, will you perform this song and post it for us?
Agreed
I get why the Pulse version was recommended but I have to agree the studio original is really the one to listen to. Claire Torry did some superlative work on it, which earned her a well-deserved writing credit...eventually.
She is a vocal coach, and she would not be able to physically see the singer with the studio version. Yes! The studio version is absolutely brilliant, the best, out of this world and any other superlative you can find! Clair Torry's version is truly the Sun the Moon and the stars all aligning. But our reviewer likes to review singers she can SEE.
@@robertholte958 Elizabeth could have used the Knebworth 1990 video, where Claire performed the vocals
@@Vargol I had never heard this version, thank you!! And yes, it would have been a better version in my opinion, but I can pretty much guess that she had a lot of recommendations for the Pulse tour version...
FYI: the instrument David is playing is not a synthesizer. It's a lap-steel guitar. The strings are not fretted like a standard guitar with the left hand - they are brought out with a steel or glass "slide" after being plucked with the right-hand fingers.
Larkin Poe, great duo, with guitar and steel guitar.
Gilmour and Co. did a great version of "One of These Days" using a lap-steel guitar on Delicate Sound of Thunder, the live album and video for the 1987-1988 tour.
Also, I believe, it's turned to an open chord. Could be wrong.
@@johnnydodson3362 open E most likely!
Actually I believe it's a pedal steel guitar and foot pedals are involved in the changing of the tuning while playing. A lap steel guitar is very similar as to how it's played with a slide while picking or strumming it, but it does not have the foot pedals. Larkin Poe uses a lap steel. Dwight Yoakam's band uses a lot of pedal steel guitar for that classic country sound. Jerry Garcia played pedal steel on the Crosby Stills and Nash song Teach Your Children.
Sam Brown is friggin amazing. And so sad about her losing her singing voice.
Her mother was even better and Sam was exposed to her mother session singing whilst in the womb. I was on such a session when Vicky her mother was 8 months pregnant with Sam. I didnt know she lost her singing voice, such a shame, her dad is still singing in his late 70's.
I agree with everyone who said you have to do the original one. It is so incredible!
This version is better.
@@goldenboy140 No, it's not.
Clares is more raw and unique
@@goldenboy140 not even close dude, og version is so much better
Nope, Claire's is my favorite.
The original studio version is literally the sound of the soul being ripped from the body. It's irreplicable.
Literally? th-cam.com/video/P_DgJ8R-8XI/w-d-xo.html
This was the intention for the vocal...to illustrate the passage from life to death.
The day I said farewell to my wife of 34 years, I put this on headphones and listened for hours. Thank you Claire Torrey for your help in my grief.
YES!!! What he said.
Not having heard the original, I hope you don’t mind me saying this version ain’t half bad, neither! 😁
I have heard some really good renditions but nothing compares to the original
True
Total agree.
Ola Bienkowska of Brit Floyd? Maybe even surpasses the original.
th-cam.com/video/CVWHItGgrdE/w-d-xo.html
The second singer is Durga McBroom. I think, this is her moost stunning performance. Sooo much feeling in this part. Its feels like something in the universe is created from scratch. This gives me goosebumbs, everytime I hear this.
Agree, I love her voice, I think she sings the best part of this Ive ever heard. Its so full and rich.
I agree. Her section is better than this section in the original album version in my opinion. So much warmth and artistry in her voice
just beautiful
While this version is staggering, the original studio version is simply other worldly. You MUST do a critique on THAT version. You will flip your wig.
British singer Clair Torry sang the original by herself on the Dark side of the moon album .....its still the best version of it .
this is better
@@goldenboy140 its all preference......i just listened to it ( the original) and im even more convinced its better and not even close .
@@goldenboy140 It is not. This is not even the best live version.
😂🤣😂. No it's not ! Not even close!!
@@Paul-jj5wy There is a live version w/ Clare Torry 'Live at Kenbworth' in 1990 th-cam.com/video/VGX7RxsTNmo/w-d-xo.html
The 'synthesiser' that David is playing is actually a slide steel guitar which is how he could get the vibrato.
probably inspired by George Harrison's contemporary (e.g. then) introduction of the instrument, though I will say, PF blew my mind far more when I was 19
Gilmore can get more out of simple slide guitar than most get out of the most advanced synthesizer.
the steel guiter is a staple in county music
@mikenovak5544 "Wish you were here" off the same titled album was originally written as a country song, timing and tonal qualities still carry country qualities.
@@joehealy6376 so can David Gilmour.
It all starts with the keys that Richard Wright lays down - the most underrated pianist ever.
I never thought about it that way, but you're completely right. It transcends both worlds
Pink Floyd: "We're going to need at least three singers to do this."
Claire Torrey: "Hold my beer."
Saw Roger Waters Us and Them Tour and they did this with a duet. It was amazing, but not as straight gangsta as the original.
so stealing that, put on my coffee mug
Lol 😆 🤣
The original sounds like sex
@@jinxbottleflip1942 yeah, more like an orgasm. "La petite mort".
She needs to listen to the studio album from start to finish to get the full Dark Side experience. One of the great masterpieces of art known to man.
Well said. And very true.
Yes but there’s nothing wrong at all with getting a first reaction video one at a time either. I love watching the first listen to music I’ve loved for years
Smoking a blunt during the experience really brings closure on it all too.
produced by none other than Alan Parsons
When I hear one son of the album means I immediately have to listen to the full album and I almost always shed a tear when I get to "The Great Gig In The Sky". It's so emotional and impactful!
Gerry O'Driscoll, Abby roads doorman was the voice you heard. It’s from the original DSOTM album. The “synth thingy” is a Slide Guitar. Clare Torry pretty much did her vocal extravaganza in one take. Gilmour coached a bit but Clare decided to use her voice as an instrument. Hearing the original is breathtaking
The other voices on the album (including the classic "I don't know, I was very drunk at the time") were mostly Wings crew as Red Rose Speedway was being recorded at Abbey Road at the same time at DSoTM
Paul and Linda Macca were going to be included but the Floyd thought Paul may go a little corny or over the top.
Actually it's a steel guitar , slide guitar is a style of playing.
so true !
Clare did two-and-a-half improvised takes, and they were edited/combined into the final version.
Sam Brown's performance was WAY more than worth the price of admission to the concert ! She is AMAZING ! You are too Elizabeth !
Absolutely agree, very disappointed in the disrespect the brilliant Sam Brown is receiving here. React to Stop by her and you’ll see how great she is in her own right
Absolutely. It’s sad the number of people here basically dumping on Sam Brown and the others. They had only one take in front of thousands at a live concert to get it spot on and they nailed it. Contrary to popular mythology, Clare Torry, as amazing as her studio performance on the original was, did not do it in one take. I’ve never heard a bad performance of this song by Pink Floyd live and I’m sure they wouldn’t tolerate one.
Just wanting to thank all three of you. It's like spitting on the steak because you asked for Sirloin and got T-Bone. Such disrespect for Sam blowing our ears off.
Im jealous. Im following her career since i was 13 y.o.
I honestly hope you listened to the original version. No one human could replicate what Claire Torry did in two takes in under an hour. Live shows had to use two or three female singers to do this song as not to destroy their vocal chords. The story behind this song is remarkable. Pink Floyd told her to sing as if she's singing her last song then die. A once only vocal legend.
Yes ofcourse the original will always be the best but Vivienne Donner from Atom is close unlike all the pink floyd vocalist ive seen in recent times..
They wanted more takes from Claire and she said no and left the studio...Epic!
She also thought these guys were crazy and the song was not going to amount to anything.
My understanding is that Torry didn't like the first take and apologized. Wanted to try again... But the first take was perfect!!
I think they're all unique and beautiful but the original is original and it's the reason why the song is the topic of conversation all these years later.
Yes, indeed, Great Gig is Richard Wright’s crowning masterpiece. It is about death but more about dying. The fear then the disbelief, the why, the wonder and finally the acceptance..
He finally experienced his own song, may he rest in piece. And thank you Richard for your brilliance.
Richard Wright played a crucial role in Pink Floyd that I think a lot of people don't realize. Gilmore had great soul, Waters was a great songwriter/story teller, but Wright was the one with the jazz chops that brought chordal sophistication that brought it to a higher level. Waters is quick to milk the same 3 chords(I, IV,V) for all he can get out of them. Richard weaved much more creative chords into the music, to give us interesting surprises.
Have to go with Sysyphus as Wright's best composition
Just an FYI: David Gilmore isn’t playing a synthesizer. That’s a lap steel guitar. Fantastically musical instrument.
I don’t know why, but I was surprised she said that. Maybe she’s never seen or heard a lap steel guitar?
I think it’s actually a pedal steel. But maybe it’s just a lap steel mounted on a stand.
@@RabbiSteve Seemed every country band of the 60s had one of those. So my brain kinda hears a little of it here.
@@jamessweet5341 Last time I saw Aerosmith live, there was one song the Joe Perry played a pedal steel guitar.
Very popular instrument in country music.
The way Elizabeth Zharoff is analyzing the singing is something to watch. Her whole face and eyes are into the music and voice, reflecting them with subtle emotions of being immersed in sound. Such pleasant angle of real music, sound, and quality among junk sounds overwhelming today's music mainstream.
To be fair, MOST of Floyd's music was not really "mainstream", even though it was popular. Think along the lines of Tom McDonald (among the best selling independent artists) compared to today's mainstream.
If you want to hear the true essence of this song, you have to listen to the original studio version of the song with Claire Tory, who invented and sang the vocals for this song. They also acknowledged her co-authorship.
The story behind the recording of this song always intrigued me. Torry came in, they told her what the song was to be about with no further instruction, and she went in and sang her heart out. She left without the band saying a word (as they were apparently speechless, for obvious reasons) and believed she botched it. Years later she finds out they used her take in the final release. Amazing song, amazing voice.
I've heard it played live by numerous cover bands over the years and this 1 song always gets a standing ovation no matter who is singing it.
Yeah, that was an interesting story. They really didn't know what they wanted from her initially. They told her to free form and she started out with some scooby-dooby-yeah-yeah stuff and finally Gilmour stepped up and pointed her more in the direction of what ended up being the final take.
The real story seems to vary. There are versions from Alan Parsons (2 takes, used second take), Gilmour (six takes, then pieced together). Both were there, both have different recollections of it.
I also remember hearing the only instruction they gave her was to sing without using words....
@@kostaskritsilas2681 Alan Parsons is just as much a part of the GENIUS of DSOM as The Floyd
@J. Aube :: You've got just about everything wrong about this.
There is an interview on TH-cam with her where she tells exactly what happened. You should look it up.
Much respect to the ladies who performed here. The duality of this "great gig" is the honor of being asked to render Claire Torry's landmark performance, and the knowledge that whatever you do, no matter how great, will fall short. You owe it to yourself to listen to this record, front to back, and experience how Claire's gut wrenching take is a perfect facet in a likewise peerless album.
And Claire did it spontaneously... run the tape, see what you get... and it was amazing.
I would put it exactly that way: you *owe it to yourself* to check out Torry's original. What this version does by committee, Torry did by herself, and took it to a much higher plane (no offense intended to the ladies here). There's nothing else like it.
You haven't heard this song until you've heard Claire. This blonde singing is the worst version. She's way below the mark
Claire's rendition actually conveys the story in a way you just understand. It is less about her showing off.
That makes it even more remarkable.
In my opinion, the original studio version is stellar. My next favorite is from the Delicate Sound of Thunder performance (there is a video here on YT). Rachel Fury and the other two ladies do an amazing performance of the song.
BTW, if it hasn’t already been said. It’s a slide guitar that David is playing. Not a synthesizer of any kind.
This entire album is a masterpiece. You need to listen to it as a whole.
Still the Gold Standard for what a Concept Album should be like.
the older you get the more profound it sounds.
the older you get the more profound it sounds.
Any colour(track) you like..bro
@@ankurd2889 best music ever produced
Yes! Claire Torry's original studio version is a must now!
A MUST!
She did it on her own (no 2 partners) and from what i have heard the original was fully improvised. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gig_in_the_Sky explains it.
@@HG-cv4ru This is true!
OMG, I have been dying for you to react to this one! I just wish you would do the original version.
Claire Torry recorded this masterpiece on the 2nd take. One of the most incredible performances in music history. It takes 3 women to do it live. Claire did it by herself, on the fly, and all by instinct. Just marvelous.
Eva Avila performs it live solo... she rivals Claire Torry.
I've heard her equal with cover bands, even better, but never matching her musicality, the "wrote" this on the fly.
she recorded it on the first take she wanted to do a second and the band said no it was perfect
thank you for that feedback - your knowledge is very much appreciated Sir
th-cam.com/video/kK0rpKOEAt0/w-d-xo.html
I hate to say do the same song twice... but the original recording from the dark side of the moon album is so unique and can never be duplicated and I think it would be worth reacting to.
- one take
- one vocalist
- 100% improvised.
It sounds like one take; according to Wikipedia, there were three takes -- two full takes, and a partial take -- and what we hear on the record is edited together from the three. I would love to hear the original full takes -- I bet they were stunning already!
@@wagstaff6135 Interesting! I'm not saying your wrong but I'd like to figure out the truth now.
@@jwec9867 I'm not saying I'm right, just what I read on Wikipedia. There are quotes from: Roger Waters says he thinks she did it in one take; Gilmour says he thinks she did like 6 takes, lol. The article itself says what I repeated. I've seen interviews with Clare Torry on youtube I'll have to revisit -- don't remember how she told it!
There are interviews with Gilmour, Waters. Alan Oarsons (recording engineer of DSoTM), and Claire Torry. All seem to have a different version.
@@jwec9867 Clare herself said 1 take was her singing things like ooh baby, baby baby etc. they had her do it again with no words. I don’t remember if she said it was one or two takes after. TH-cam has interviews with Clare about the song and how hard it is to sing.
Pink Floyd takes you on a journey. In my humble opinion, arguably the greatest rock band ever.
Word!!!
No need to be humble when you're simply telling it like it is!
Yes!!!
Probably the best psychedelic or progressive rock band, but not the best rock band ever.
@@jeffmalloy8200 I agree..Perhaps NOT the best ......
..... CERTAINLY one of THE GREATEST. 💪🏼
GOAT band. Period.
I came prepared with my Pink Floyd shirt.
And all the folks saying Claire Torry is the best are dead on. She has these sassy highs the rely more on her range to impress than vocal flourish, and it is powerful. There is this moment where I believe she switches back and forth from gut to head singing that just rings in my head gloriously. Definitely check out her version.
If you see it live, you cant avoid crying. Its just to big . As you sayed, a masterpiece.
Watching Elizabeth's face light up when someone does something cool is always the highlight of each video for me. I found myself chuckling in the first few minutes of this video, you were like a kid that just found something new and were so excited about it!
I agree am moved by the reactions as well. It's like sharing beautiful, intimate memories with a true friend.
It's why I keep coming back. Always makes me excited to discover and rediscover so much good music out there, and appreciate it on a much higher level. :D
I understand the sentiment for the original, for sublime it is! However I feel these three ladies are often maligned unfairly as being somehow inferior. I also love this performance and the fact they have immersed themselves fully into the music. Full respect and admiration to them and their voice too!
I do not malign these ladies in the least for their attempt to echo the passion and sheer vocal gymnastics of Claire Torry... They did a fine job between the three of them, but Claire Torry did a "Once in a lifetime" performance. It is not that they are inferior, but it took all three to pull off the magnificence of the original and it was their interpretation... not the original. Let's also remember that this tour also did not include Roger Waters contributions either.
They are impressive in their own right, but they ARE inferior.
I've loved many of the live performances, but I have a special fondness for the original Claire Torre performance. I wouldn't call them inferior.
They are talented singers. But Clare Torry was told to imagine horror and death and then sing as if her life depended on it, some of her wails where her voice cracks and she's screaming more than singing absolutely drive that emotion of fear and despair into the heart. Every rendition I've heard but Clare's has lacked that visceral, primal edge that makes it one of the greatest vocal performances of all time.
Sam Brown did an excellent job in this version, I wouldn't call her inferior to anyone
I actually prefer the album/studio version. the vocalist gets more crazy and its amazing to think how it was improvised. It is literally lightning in a bottle.
2 and a half takes before she said "nah that's it... You got the best I'm gonna give, I'm getting repetitive now" amazing.
I actually still hear the original in my head even when others sing it, it was that impactful
She hit it but was asked to do another take....it pissed her off..Lol....so she chugged a Heineken and let it rip
Anyone who has ever lost someone very close can identify with every note, every tone, every emote, beginning to end, of this powerful masterpiece.
In 7th grade music class, our teacher turned out the classroom lights, told us to rest our heads on our desks, and close our eyes. She was going to play some music her son had brought home from college. Then we all listened to Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. Best class period ever and still a vivid memory nearly 50 years later! RIP Mrs. S.
Wow, what a teacher! Talk about a lesson that lasts a lifetime!
Which begs the question, how do we get Elizabeth to listen to the whole album? There is a reason the album was on the top 100, on and off, for over 1,500 weeks. It’s a story and Great Gig in the Skyis one of the final chapters.
That would be awesome, and once heard, she could enjoy it anytime during those late night sessions with the little one.
@@randomchord Exactly! The Great Gig In the Sky is part of a concept album. Feelings flow from song to song and by the time you get to this song, it takes your breath away. This is a song that cannot be isolated.
Teacher of the year!
The version you reviewed was lovely, but you MUST do the original album version - that's the benchmark version we all know. ❤️
I completely agree. Not that this singer is bad, but (and I'm not formally trained, so I could be wrong about this) it sounds like she's an Alto, whereas Clare I think was a Soprano, so the ranges of pitches is very different.
PINK FLOYD is my FAVORITE BAND just ahead of LED ZEPPELIN....!!! BOTH ARE AWESOME....!!!
@@johnmeggers5059 There was more than one singer in this live performance. Did you even watch the video?
I had the the honour of attending the Pulse gig and seeing this very performance live.. nothing in my life has ever come close to emotional roller coaster I had that night. 2 weeks ago at the age of 58 I have just been I informed that I have 3 months or less until my own Great Gig in Sky. I haven't yet reached acceptance .. but this song is starting to help me down that path. Floyd has been a great inspiration in my life.. songs such Turning away and Wish you were here have guided my life choices and helped me to improve as a person. Take the time to enjoy the greatest music this planet has ever created. Each version is different so take the time to listen to different versions of the same tracks. Be nice to each other.. be nice to the planet....its all so short in the end.
Im so sorry to hear this and wishing you peace, love and as much amazing music like this for as much as you can
I share your name, age and love of the floyd. Sorry to hear your bad news. I wish you peace my friend.
HAVE A CIGAR ON THE RUN
COMFORTABLY NUMB.
Set The Controls For The Heart Of The SUN.
Peace & Joy to you Floydian. Hope the planet treated you well.
Don't fret pal, you will not Die
You will always have P.U.L.S.E ❤️
We will honor you my friend, blessings
Thank you fellow traveler, for you follow many who have gone before you and will leave cherished memories for those who follow after. Most of us never meet each other, but through points of connections such as these- through music such as this, we get to truly see each other- even if only ever a glimpse. It is enough. Godspeed and Love.
I don't know how anyone can hear this without crying. 😭
Amen
Doesn't exist... We have to cry...
I cry every time I hear this. And that is many, many times.
Crying - but not for the right reason🙄
Dark Side of the Moon is one of the greatest pieces of art ever made. You need to listen to it from front to back to truly get the the album. Also, the "narration" as you call it is from interviews they did with people about death and such. They are played in the background, throughout the entire album.
They are?
@@metalmanny666 Yes. They were all random questions about life made up by Roger, who then asked various people in the studio working on the album, and recorded their responses. One of them was something along the lines of "Describe the last physical altercation you had been in," which is where most of the ending dialogue for Money came from.
Dark Side of the Moon is meant to be played beginning-to-end,
this song is perhaps 3/4 of the way into the album
To *completely* appreciate this musical composition you may need to hear the entire album
And if you ever do that, I would love to take that journey with you.
I've been a Pink Floyd fan ever since my father chose to use this album as my lullabye, 40 years ago
I was about to post something similar. We seem to be in an age of single songs, but this one really benefit from listening to the whole album. Perfect for a rainy Sunday morning at home.
So much ‘this’. DSotM is a rock opera with many different acts. A rollercoaster where you just sit there for a minute after it is done to try and gather your wits. I would happily spend the time it takes Elizabeth to explore the whole album. Bonus: These days one doesn’t need to get up and flip the tape/album. 😬 Damn I’m old. 🤣
It was the (good old) time when albums (aka vinyl) were meant to be listen in full.
Nowadays every song is formatted to be single and radio friendly, that's often boring!
I completely agree that this should be played and discussed along with the entirety of the album. I would listen to the whole video of her dissecting the album. I'd also like to hear her do The Wall, followed by Animals.
Although sung by some great voices, Claire's original seems to strike a chord of its own in my soul. This enigmatic song is so heartfelt by so many people, and knowing the finality of the journey it represents, is a key to fully appreciating this deeply felt experience by some on the best musicians ever to reside on our planet ❤️ ♥️ 🙌 💙 💖 💕 ❤️
This is the "Pulse" concert version of GGITS. Sam had been singing the most difficult part for about 35 shows prior to the video version. The other version to consider is the "Delicate Sound of Thunder" footage from five years earlier. In that version, the most difficult part was sung by Rachel Fury. Again, the DTOS version is after several shows and while she hits every note, her voice is a bit thiner. I prefer the DTOS of any live version, but it is clear that Clare's original version invents and captures the full intent of that track.
All versions are good, but you should listen to Clare Torry's original from the album as well. It can't help but give you the feels.
It's basically a perfect vocal performance.
100% the original version was magic. You can find interviews where they talk about how they put the take together that are super interesting. She had no idea they used her performance until she saw the Dark Side of the Moon in the record store.
I think I shall after this premieres!
Agree 100%. The fact that Clare Tory thought she didn’t really give the band what they wanted and now it’s such an iconic track on an iconic album just blows me away.
Have to do studio over this performance. Although still good, it doesn’t compare.
Clare Torry's studio version is an absolute groundbreaking, that leaves ever this in it's dust, and did it all in one take.
3 takes, or actually 2.5 takes, which were edited together after Clare had left.
you definitely need the studio version though. No performance has ever matched it, not even by Torry herself. The song is basically about the 5 stages of grief, which is also reflected in the vocals. But again, the studio version nails it to a level of unreplicatable perfection
The studio version is absolute beauty and perfection.
Indeed, it's the only one that really moves you.
Outside of Clare Torry's original performance, this is my favorite of all of Pink Floyd's live performances of this song.
The original is totally magical. Really something special. Nothing else can compare.
Disagree
th-cam.com/video/J3xc5H_N8ds/w-d-xo.html
100%
I'd read they wern't sure what they were going to do for vocal,if any and the original singer was backing in next studio. She listened to song and came up with her vocals and did in one take
The original version (with Claire Torry) is phenomenal, it is, for me, the best female vocal performance of ALL time.
I feel the same way
...and it was a single take. Just wonderful!
There has never been any doubt.
@@burattin Technically, she did 2 and half takes and then left. There's an interview with her talking about the making of the song on TH-cam. Search for "Clare Torry Interview and Great Gig" and you'll find it. The video quality is terrible, but it's good to see her talk about it.
it is fascinating to go thru all the versions of great gig that are not claire and see where they fall short
Richard had a great, dare say unique, sensibility for interesting chords - often overlooked as one of the cornerstones of the Pink Floyd sound.
Especially by Waters. His contempt for Wright was so offensive.
Criminally overlooked
@@davidembrey4248 my contempt for the richest most bitter old Man is just as high.
I've istened to this song for 40+ years, 100s of times, all versions/singers, and I still get chills. Every.Time.
If you are really discovering Pink Floyd for the first time, then I genuinely envy you. You have an amazing journey ahead of you. Enjoy it all, and remember too that most of this stuff is now 50 years old.
This is an amazing performance interpreting Clare Torry's original. Clare improvised the entire thing. That's why Clare's is the one to listen to, as good as this is.
And why Torry deserved the co-writer credit from the word go.
@@jonathanroberts8981 and it was recorded in ONE take
I hope this helps you understand this song. The song before it on the album, "Time", is about how time flies by and suddenly one realizes that so much of life has passesdwithout us knowing it. This song is about the process of accepting one's own death. At 65 years old, this moves me to tears as it did when I was in high school, but now I know why.
I remember the first time hearing this. We played hooky from school and went to a friend’s house to smoke. He played the album and I was floored. I never heard anything like it. It was a time when I was into Yes, ELP, John Coltrane and Santana. Will turn 65 in a few weeks and I wonder where the time went.
I am also 65 and couldn't have said it better 👍🏼
I am 56 and love the album too. I didn't like the album when I first heard it, but after a few plays the album grew on me, especially this song. It is impossible to replicate live. To all the 65 year olds who responded to this comment, strangely enough there are 65 likes! I just made it 66 likes...
Same thing here Rick but the stress has turned to financial anxiety and realising the futility of it all. Yip I will admit I just cry full out sometimes. God bless you.
We must have both been 15 when we first heard this album. - "Kicking away the moments that make up a dull day" - You really hear it from another perspective 40 years later, especially when one of the original band is no longer here.
I generally like original and studio music much more than live, but the Pulse concert was one of the few where I felt exactly opposite. The music was incredible, the sound was incredible, and especially for The Great Gig In The Sky, the vocals blew my mind. Even without words, you can just feel the emotion in the voices. The best music always makes me feel.. Doesn't matter what I feel, as long as it makes me feel. This song never fails to pull on my emotions.
Ditto
Pretty much everything on the Pulse album / Division Bell tour was just absolute peak Pink Floyd, often surpassing the studio versions musically (not technically of course). I thought Delicate Sound of Thunder was a good album until Pulse came out -- and then I've seldom listened to it afterwards.
You owe it to yourself to listen to the original album version. Then read about the lady who sang it, how she came to sing it, and what happened to her as a result. It's an amazing, but heartbreaking, story.
I have heard several versions of this song, all great in their own ways, but the original studio recording by Clare Torry is very hard to top. Especially since it's her original off the cuff improvisation all others follow/emulate/or at least draw inspiration from. I hope you'll listen to it sometime. :)
I've seen a bunch of different versions live (Roger Waters, Floyd without Waters, cover bands), the best version (besides Clare's original) was at Wetlands club in NYC like 25 years ago. Cover band was The Machine and the guest singer was a chubby black male teenager with colored beads in his hair. I'll NEVER forget it. By the end of the vocal every person in the club didn't just get teary-eyed, we were all crying with joy.
The narrative voice is a recording of the studio’s doorman Jerry Driscoll, whose insightful mutterings make up the majority of the album’s spoken word fragments.
Yeah the boys asked a set of questions to various local people around the studio and used clips from it for the songs.
Yep, the narration is voice-print perfect with the original, so my guess was that they used the original recording. Nothing wrong with that, pretty sure it would be difficult to imitate
Roger Waters held up cards with questions to crew members and recorded the responses. Questions about madness, violence and death, all topics covered by the album
@@christophertaylor9100 Fun fact - reportedly, they also asked Paul McCartney some of these questions, but didn't include him in the album because they thought he was trying too hard and wans't being genuine.
@@zorkan111 McCartney’s guitarist at the time is the one saying “I don’t know, I was really drunk at the time”. He wasn’t as pretentious as Paul and Linda.
This is in my top 5 favorite songs. Its amazing how a single vow can come to mean everything. The song isn't about death like you said, it's about the cycle of life. The reason the song starts out slow then starts screaming right away is its supposed to symbolize nothing, then birth and the screaming baby. Then later on when she starts the raspy vocals its the beginning of the death cycle. This song gives me tingles. It's amazing and moving.
I agree, this is beautiful. And that is also the meaning it has for me. All of life and the eventual acceptance of and happening of death. Other interpretations are fine too.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Caire Torry! I'm 61 and I've heard a lot of singers in my time, both male & female but Claire's performance on the original record is most certainly the most extraordinary vocal performance I have ever heard, without doubt. Her voice is beautiful yet gut wrenchingly visceral. The emotion, soul and pain in her voice is on another level. Until recently I imagined that she was a black gospel singer but it turns out she's this polite white english woman with a cut glass accent! I cry every time I hear her XX
Claire forever ❤❤❤
When Davis Gilmour invited Claire Torry in to the studio to record her vocals for this track he just told her to vocalize like a jazz instrument. It’s been an improvised performance ever since. I personally prefer the studio version myself, but I do enjoy seeing any and all covers and live performances for this song. Thank you for giving Gig in the sky justice. It also pairs well with The Wizard of Oz.
Well, it’s already been said. Somewhere Clare is smiling. Here’s to you, Ms. Torry! With one performance, you achieved musical immortality.
Beauty in COMPLEXITY 😭❤️🙏👍
I think most of your choices are spot on, but you might have missed the mark on this one. While it's a very good performance, the original by Clare Torry is one of the greatest vocal performances in rock history. This live version is nothing more than a solid attempt to copy it by someone else. The original is the one you want to listen to because that's the version that blew everyone's mind the first time they heard it.
It takes three women to make a solid attempt at copying what Clare did by herself.
This was recommended to her; that is not her fault. It’s a good performance if it is your first exposure to the song. The larger context of one singer basically improvising the entire thing cannot be beat, but don’t hold it against her for doing the version one of her fans suggested.
@@Fishmorph Bullshit the original have been recommended many many times, with these channels a few patreons that pay money can have their wishes done over popular opinion.
Part of Elizabeth's approach is to talk about vocal technique. In a live version like this she can talk about how a performer is using their whole body to improve their power, quality and endurance.
So while the studio is absolutely the better performance, this one give outstanding fodder for her to not only react, but teach as well.
@@jerryfick613 Im not buying! You dont start with the copy, its the other way around.
As everyone has already stated and I agree... this was nice. It was pretty. It was not Clare. One voice, one take (according to the legend), and she has never been bettered as far as I have heard. Clare produced all the range of the 3 and can make you cry when she reaches acceptance.
I believe that it was her 2nd take. She got out of the recording booth after the 1st, dissatisfied, and told the band that she didn't get it the 1st time, could do much better.
Clare seemed to 'let it all out' with her everything putting out such a range of emotions. Her version is just mind blowing.
Recollections vary, as one would expect after almost 50 years. Roger Waters said one take, David Gilmour said she sang it maybe half a dozen times. Clare Torry herself said she had a few tries that really weren't what the band was looking for, then she changed her approach, sang it twice right through for the tape, then stopped midway through the third take because she felt she had already done her best. (Watch Clare's account of it here: th-cam.com/video/mIW7xZSlZoM/w-d-xo.html)
Not wanting to get into an argument about who did it better, the studio environment allowed Clare more opportunity to work the emotions of surrender into the closing stages of the song. For me, the 1973 version will always be the "reference" version, by which all others will be judged.
Clare herself said in an interview that she she wasn’t sure what PF was looking for so she tried a bluesy/soleful style but they told her that wouldn’t work so she just winged it with the version we all know today.
Obviously someone who lacks the musical ear recommended this version over the original. While she can analyze the change in vocal registers, which is unique (Clare used her chest register for all of the forte top notes) it does not capture the true nature of the song.
“Whoa, I wasn’t quite ready for it to end.”
Relatable experience when passing on to The Great Gig in the Sky…
Kinda what the song is about to.
Claire Torre walked into the studio and completely improvised this from her soul. So beautiful ! Amazing grace.
The message this whole album conveys is awsome.
From growing up, going to work and toiling your life away.
Only to end with that great gig in the sky that none of us escape. Death.
Message is peace ✌️
I could not stop listening to this when I was a young person
Ya bro totes magotes. That’s cool you figured that out. I’m surprised nobody else has ever thought of that
@@TillURide420 Ticking away..
any time will do . . .
Agree with comments, below, that the studio original is a class above. I hope Elizabeth listens to it 🙂. But also that she listens to the whole of Dark Side of the Moon. It's a journey, and Great Gig is so much more powerful whenistened to as part of that journey 🙂
^^This.
Err- whats with this reaction? Im positive every single suggestion to react to this song said to do the origional. Now listening to that has kinda been spoiled a bit by hearing a worse version of it first :(
(Not that this version isn't very good)- but imo (and most peoples) these lives dont hold a candle to Claire's.
Your perchance for finding the worst versions to react to continues lol.
I'm actually surprised as well that this isn't a reaction to the original studio version? It's the same thing as listening to Ronnie James Dio live from 2006 and onward. He was well beyond his peak singing abilities by that point.
It is beautiful, isn't it? Sam Brown, Claudia Fontaine and Durga McBroom are just incredible! It was amazing to see your expressions of joy and pleasure when listening to their performances. Although many say the original version is the benchmark, I do prefer this live one, as they had only one chance to nail it, and they did! They showed their talent! And Pink Floyd is one of the best!
IMO, it is always best to listen to Time first then let it run directly into GGITS on DSOTM. That way you carry the emotion built up over the elements of Time being finite and how we need to live today to GGITS which deals with the power of death and loss, as the two songs really lead naturally due to the thematic elements of the album.
The narration at the start of the song is on the original album, I always get goose bumps every time I hear this. As I'm getting older and death is slowly coming closer The Great Gig In The Sky is becoming more poignant for me.
Gerry O'Driscoll, Abbey Road Studios janitorial "browncoat"
DITTO
@@topaxci6993 Was given question cards, he had to read out the question, then answer it.
Claire composed and sang the vocal on the fly. Her second take is the original. Totally in the moment. You MUST hear it to really know this album
1st take had words in it and they asked her not to do that. Thus, the performance we love was born. Love Claire Torry - the originator and best by far.
This song is about death and the different stages of coping with death. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. You can hear this expressed within the singers voice. I highly recommend listening to the studio version. This song is a masterpiece. No real words are spoken but it tells the story flawlessly non the less.
Thank you for speaking to the song as coping with death, and the steps of grief. I’ve been very depressed today and hearing this right now is truthful and soothing to me. Thank You Shawn
Hi S, in fact, a little detail here is that not only dying, but a Woman dying of cancer. The voices on the studio version were of different people, one was an elderly man.
And about rebirth. The change from what is comfortable and known through the fear and pain into a new amazing experience.
@@AlisMarsaili1351 thinking of you today.
Noooooo! I was so hoping you'd be doing the original, Clare Torry version. Please, please react to Clare's version as well - it's the original, classic and best version. There's a great interview on TH-cam in which she discussed recording the song. It's terrific.
I second this! I know you prefer live versions of songs, but this is worth breaking away from the norm for.
@@pete5668 yep, the *is* Clare Torry's song.
@@lauriekittle9459 exactly....🤦🏻♂️
It represents birth, living and death. The vocice saying "Why should I be afraid of dying" etc, is the voice of a cleaner/janitor who worked at Abbey Road Studios.
Dude $ I never knew that!!!
@@lesliespears8918 All of the voices are people who were in the studio on the day, iirc Wings were recording and some of the voices are theirs, the girl who says "That geezer's cruising for a bruising" is Linda McCartney
Jerry Driscoll, his name was.
@@thomasadkins4024 actually Gerry O’Driscoll aka GOD. He has 4-5 vocals throughout the album including his closing comments on the last track ‘Eclipse’ regarding the dark side of the moon.
It is Richard Wright on the keys and David Gilmour on the lap slide guitar. As for the narration, that is taped by Roger Waters, interviewing the Irish doorman at Abbey Road Studios, Gerry O'Driscoll.
I love Sam Brown. Still, 50 years later, Claire Torry's original recorded version on the album is by far my favorite. She composed the vocal line, improvising over Richard Wright's sublime chord progressions, and set the standard for all who filled her. She absolutely nailed it and, if you haven't already, you might want to put on side 1 of the album, turn out the lights, turn up the headphones and enjoy.
Clare Torry did the best --absolutely stunning performance on the original. This one is good but pales by comparison.
Spot on!
Yes. The fact that she wasn't credited song writer or paid future royalties for her work on this track is so unjust.
Great though this is you really must listen to the album version with Claire Torry. One singer vs three performs this better, just awesome!
Sam Brown.... epic. Check out STOP by Sam Brown as a soloist
Clare was paid around 60 dollars for this performance that went on to be the most prolific album in history. I believe she received a larger amount 30 years later. Amazing story
She won an unspecified monetary compensation plus subsequent albums gave her a writing credit for the song. She had to fight Floyd hard for that recognition and pay, which is to the band's discredit.
Sometime in the early 1980s, David Gilmour and Nick Mason had gone out to dinner, and ran into Claire Torry during the period when Claire Torry was suing Pink Floyd for royalties on this song. They talked, and eventually got around to talking about Torry being paid 50 British pounds for the performance. Gilmour and Mason hadn’t realized that she had never gotten a penny of royalties because all of the financial arrangements had been handled by their management group (con-men and swindlers). Gilmour asked Mason if he had a company chequebook with him. Mason said he did, and they made out a cheque, and both signed it (50,000 Britsh pounds). They also did the paperwork to get her royalties going forward.
Claire Torry also (rightfully) sued Pink Floyd for writing/song composition credits, and won.
@@kostaskritsilas2681 David & Nick always remained grounded, and are the heart of The Floyd. They also made sure that Syd got every penny of royalties that he was owed.
I recommend listening to this piece in its place in the album. Listening from the start gives it context. Love your videos. ❤️
Also we’ll never get a performance close to the GREAT Clare Torry’s original version of this song. Simply amazing !!!
I raise you this one then:
th-cam.com/video/J3xc5H_N8ds/w-d-xo.html
@Petty Eddie :: It was *not* one take. She gave an interview that details the whole studio experience.
It's right here on TH-cam.
@@billstevens3796 my bad. I thought it was one take. Thanks
sam brown... is what she is! Beautiful..... daughter of Gilmour's freind
This reminds me of a few years ago when I saw Pink Floyd Tribute band "Pink Fraud" at a small rock pub in London. The place was full of denim-clad grizzled rock fans, and when this solo approached, there was a palpable air of skepticism in the room, which turned to dropped jaws when their singer totally nailed it.
Great tribute band name 👍
This is an extremely challenging song to do properly. Full credit to any bar band singer who even attempts it.
You should also listen to a cover band referred as Australian Pink Floyd. They are phenomenal
👍👍👍
Saw Brit Floyd at Red Rocks last month and I don't remember the lady's name, but she absolutely NAILED Great Gig in the Sky by herself. True to the Clare Torry original. Blew my damn mind.
You should Check out the "Delicate Sound of Thunder" version of this song. Rachael Fury, Durga McBroom and Machan Taylor. Rachael preforms a perfect cover of Clair Tory's primary line. Durga bridges the first and third sections with a soul that's all hers, and Machan takes the third verse to a new universe. Unbelievable.
that's my favourite version too
Rachel fury is my favourite
Agreed its brilliant
I played this song live with Durga McBroom. It was super cool!
I 100% adamantly agree with you. I feel it's the very best live version that was recorded on video.
Definitely listen to Claire Torrie!! The Original! Definitely one of the best!!!
here's an interview of Claire about this song... great stuff : th-cam.com/video/mIW7xZSlZoM/w-d-xo.html
The looks on your face when the vocal started was worth the price of admission alone!