David Gilmour - About Face (2021) [Hi-Res]

David Gilmour's second solo album entitled About Face was released in March of 1984 in both the US and UK. The album reached #32 in the US and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album was co-produced by Bob Ezrin and David Gilmour. All songs, except as noted were penned by Gilmour himself. Two songs were co-written by The Who's Pete Townshend.

After Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut" (1983), which was a Roger Waters solo album in all but name, guitarist David Gilmour ventured forth on his own. At the time, the future of the group Pink Floyd seemed doubtful. After at least two albums of turmoil, Waters had left the group to go on to "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking," a concept he had as far back as 1978, when he presented rough demos to Floyd, along with demos of "The Wall." (Floyd chose the latter as its follow-up to 1977's "Animals.")

"David Gilmour released his second solo venture in 1984, following the apparent dissolution of Pink Floyd. He had released a record on his own in 1978, but About Face is much more accessible. Gilmour has a stellar band backing him, including Jeff Porcaro (drums), Pino Palladino (bass), and Anne Dudley (synthesizer). The songs on About Face show a pop sensibility that Pink Floyd rarely was concerned with achieving. Although the album didn't attract the attention of a Floyd release, several cuts did manage to get airplay. "Until We Sleep" is rife with shimmering synthesizers and cavernous drums, and "Blue Light" was a minor pop hit, with Gilmour's trademark delay-drenched guitar giving way to a driving, horn-laced rocker. Pete Townshend wrote two of the tracks: "Love on the Air" and the propulsive "All Lovers Are Deranged." Of course, there's more than enough of Gilmour's fluid guitar playing to satisfy, including the gorgeous "Murder," a gentle acoustic track that explodes with some fiery organ by Steve Winwood and concludes with a fierce coda. About Face is well-honed rock album that is riveting from beginning to end." (Tom Demalon, AMG)

David Gilmour, vocals, guitars, co-producer
Bob Ezrin, keyboards, orchestral arrangements, co-producer
Ian Kewley, Hammond organ, piano
Steve Winwood, piano (3), Hammond (4)
Jon Lord, synthesiser
Anne Dudley, synthesiser
Steve Rance, Fairlight CMI programming
The Kick Horns:
Roddy Lorimer, trumpet
Barbara Snow, trumpet
Tim Sanders, saxophone
Simon Clarke, saxophone, flute
The National Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Kamen, orchestral arrangements
Pino Palladino, bass
Jeff Porcaro, drums, percussion
Luís Jardim, percussion
Ray Cooper, percussion
Vicki Brown, backing vocals
Sam Brown, backing vocals
Mickey Feat, backing vocals
Roy Harper, backing vocals

Produced by Bob Ezrin & David Gilmour

Digitally remastered