To think that
David Gilmour waited 22 years to record his third solo album is a pretty solid indicator that he's not the kind of bloke to merely cash in on his name. After all, he's the guy who sold his house for four million English pounds and gave the money to charity. Perhaps now that the
Pink Floyd reunion happened and he and
Roger Waters are at least civil to one another, the
Floyd enigma can finally find its way into the annals of history and rock legend. This catches listeners up to
On an Island. Those desiring something edgy and dramatic will have to wait.
Gilmour wrote six of these ten tunes with his wife,
Polly Samson, who also plays a bit of piano and sings. Musically, On An Island is mostly a laid-back, utterly elegant English record. It has the feel of taking place between twilight and dawn. There are a few rumblers to upset the overall balance of tranquility and stillness, like flashes of heat lightning across the dark skies; they add dimension and a quiet power to these proceedings. Produced by
Gilmour,
Phil Manzanera (who appears on keyboards), and
Chris Thomas, the album features guest spots from the likes of
Richard Wright,
Robert Wyatt,
B.J. Cole,
Floyd/
Sly Stone drummer
Andy Newmark,
Georgie Fame,
David Crosby and
Graham Nash,
Jools Holland,
Willie Wilson, and many others.