Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Robert Ellis: CITY OF ECHOES Makes Me Feel So COMFORTABLY NUMB




Robert Ellis

As most of my readers already know, I used to have a very close relationship with music. I played rhythm guitar in a number of garage bands, and while in college, was lucky enough to manage the kitchen at a nightclub called The Main Point in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It was while working at The Main Point that I got to hang out with rock, blues and jazz legends like Muddy Waters, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Al Di Meola. I love to put what I'm listening to in my novels, and have chosen pieces that sync up with the emotions of the moment. If my books were films, you might find the song mentioned in the story on the soundtrack of the movie as well. I also very much enjoy discovering new works, at least to me, like Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters doing BOBBY'S BOP in the second Lena Gamble novel, THE LOST WITNESS. BOBBY'S BOP, from the album HOPE RADIO, was the perfect song for the moment.

David Gilmour LIVE in Gdansk
September 1, 2015
In CITY OF ECHOES there is only one song played in the entire novel. I can't really explain why only one cut turned up, but it's an extremely special moment. The song is something we've all heard many times before, COMFORTABLY NUMB by Pink Floyd. Only this cut is not performed by the entire band. It's David Gilmour on his original black Stratocaster performing LIVE at the Gdansk Shipyard in Poland to commemorate the anniversary of the revolution. It is the first time any work by Pink Floyd has been accompanied by a full orchestra, in this case the Polish Baltic Philharmonic. And it's also, in my opinion, the best version of COMFORTABLY NUMB ever performed. Of keen interest, this was recorded in 2006 before an audience of 50,000 people. Notice that most, if not all, are young.

CITY OF ECHOES will be out on September 1, 2015. Until then, hope you enjoy listening to this remarkable version of a classic song.



Sleep Loose,
Robert
http://www.robertellis.net


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