Wiki
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Release Date
29 May 1995
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Length
24 tracks
Pulse (stylized as P•U•L•S•E) is a live double CD by Pink Floyd, released on May 29, 1995 in the UK and on June 6, 1995 in the US, containing songs from their albums The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Meddle, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, A Momentary Lapse of Reason, and The Division Bell.
The album was recorded during the band's Division Bell tour in 1994, specifically the UK and European leg, which ran from July to October 1994 (See Pink Floyd live performances).
The album includes a complete live version of The Dark Side of the Moon and features a booklet with many photos from performances on this tour. It also features "Astronomy Domine," a Syd Barrett song not performed since the early 1970s, as a tribute to the original Floyd guitarist.
Unlike Delicate Sound of Thunder, David Gilmour and producer James Guthrie have stated that no parts of the songs were re-recorded in the studio. However, the band and Guthrie fixed songs that had bad notes (as heard on some bootlegs) by lifting solos and corrected vocal lines from other performances as the band recorded most of the European leg.
In the U.S., Pulse debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in June 1995 (briefly dethroning Hootie and the Blowfish's Cracked Rear View for a week before Hootie regained the #1 spot in the U.S.) and was soon certified Double Platinum on July 31, 1995.
The cassette issue had two bonus tracks: "One of These Days" and a 22 minute ambient piece that was played prior to the 1994 concerts.
The vinyl version comes in a four-LP box and includes "One of These Days" as well as a large version of the photo booklet. The video version (the only release of Pulse with an accurate running order) also featured the song "Take It Back," and was, in fact, the near complete performance from their October 20th show at Earl's Court, London.
On July 10, 2006, the Pulse DVD was released of the concert performed on October 20, 1994 at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London.
The original CD cover features a "eye-like" machine that has clock pieces inside, there is a planet in its center, and on the outside it shows evolution as it moves backwards. It starts in the sea, moves to the bacterias which evolve into fishes, then into egg type creatures, then into eggs that hatch birds, and birds follow the trail of an airplane. There are six pyramids in the desert, and in the bottom of the sea, you can observe a city in the shore.
LED
Early CD versions came with a blinking red LED on the side of the case, that flashed to the heartbeat heard at the beginning of Dark Side of the Moon. This was designed by EMI contractor Jon Kempner (who incidentally was awarded the platinum disc) using the (now discontinued) LM3909 LED flasher IC. The circuit was powered by a single AA cell; this was theoretically replaceable in that it was fitted in a battery holder rather than soldered onto the circuit board. However, the circuit board is hidden behind a glued-in cardboard cover; removing it from the case to replace the battery requires careful use of a long-handled scalpel. In some cases, the battery holder was fitted to the circuit board the wrong way round, so the "+" and "-" markings on holder and cell do not correspond. The battery life was stated to be over 6 months.
Some versions were also made with 2 AA batteries that were easier to replace. The LED and battery can be removed by rapping the open end of the case on a firm surface until the cardboard flap attached to the battery compartment slides out far enough. This flap can be used to gently pull the circuit compartment out the rest of the way and replace the batteries.
Later editions of the CD set did not feature the blinking LED.
The complete text from the sleeve notes concerning the LED reads:
Might we suggest that if the pulsing LED begins to drive you crazy, turn the box round so the LED faces to the wall or the back of your shelf. If it begins to drive you really crazy, then separate the outer slip case from the book, leave the book in your CD collection, and put the slip case in your car or potting shed where it might look and act like a burglar alarm. The battery for the LED should last more than six months and is replaceable, if you can get to it, that is, without trashing the case. The battery must not, of course, be exposed to fire or high temperatures which can cause cells to leak or explode. The LED is set at the average human pulse speed so it can be used as an anti stress device - just check your own pulse against it. It is designed primarily for easy finding thereby avoiding uncomfortable neck twisting or eye squinting to read the spine. The LED is also like the opening heartbeat of the Dark Side of the Moon. Most particularly the LED pulses… it is a live phenomenon… like the music.
The debut of the album was highlighted by a minor light show from the top of the Empire State Building in New York City.
Track listing
Disc one
Lead vocals performed by David Gilmour unless stated otherwise.
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5 and 7)" (David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Richard Wright) – 13:35
Earls Court, London on October 20, 1994
"Astronomy Domine" (Syd Barrett) – 4:20
Earls Court, London on October 15, 1994
Lead vocals: Richard Wright and David Gilmour
"What Do You Want from Me" (Gilmour, Wright, Polly Samson) – 4:10
Rome, September 21, 1994
"Learning to Fly" (Gilmour, Anthony Moore, Bob Ezrin, Jon Carin) – 5:16
Earls Court, London on October 14, 1994
"Keep Talking" (Gilmour, Wright, Samson) – 6:52
Hannover, August 17, 1994
"Coming Back to Life" (Gilmour) – 6:56
Earls Court, London on October 13, 1994
"Hey You" (Waters) – 4:40
Earls Court, London on October 13 + 15 (last verse), 1994
Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Jon Carin
"A Great Day for Freedom" (Gilmour, Samson) – 4:30
Earls Court, London on October 19, 1994
"Sorrow" (Gilmour) – 10:49
Rome, September 20, 1994
"High Hopes" (Gilmour, Samson) – 7:52
Earls Court, London on October 20, 1994. Some parts ("forever and ever" line and part of lap steel solo) from London, October 14-19 or 21-29, 1994
"Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)" (Waters) – 7:08
Earls Court, London on October 21, 1994
Lead vocals: David Gilmour, Guy Pratt and Backing Vocals by Tim Renwick
Disc two (The Dark Side of the Moon)
"Speak to Me" (Mason) – 2:30
Earls Court October 20, 1994
Instrumental
"Breathe" (Gilmour, Waters, Wright) – 2:33
Earls Court October 20, 1994
Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Jon Carin
"On the Run" (Gilmour, Waters) – 3:48
Earls Court October 20, 1994
Instrumental
"Time" (Gilmour, Waters, Wright, Mason) – 6:47
Explosion recorded in London, October 15, 1994. Intro recorded in Modena September 17, 1994. The rest of song and most of Breathe Reprise was recorded in Rome, September 20, 1994. Ending of Breathe Reprise recorded in London, October 20, 1994
Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Richard Wright
"The Great Gig in the Sky" (Wright, Torry) – 5:52
London, October 20, 1994
Lead vocals: Sam Brown, Claudia Fontaine and Durga McBroom
"Money" (Waters) – 8:54
Modena, September 17, 1994. Part of sax solo from London October 1994
"Us and Them" (Waters, Wright) – 6:58
London, October 20, 1994. Second and third choruses London, October, 19 1994.
"Any Colour You Like" (Gilmour, Wright, Mason) – 3:21
London, October 23, 1994. Last part recorded in London, October 19, 1994.
Instrumental
"Brain Damage" (Waters) – 3:46
London, October 19, 1994
"Eclipse" (Waters) – 2:38
London, October 19, 1994
"Wish You Were Here" (Gilmour, Waters) – 6:35
Rome, September 20, 1994
"Comfortably Numb" (Gilmour, Waters) – 9:29
London, October 20, 1994
Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Richard Wright
"Run Like Hell" (Gilmour, Waters) – 8:36
London, October 15, 1994
Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Guy Pratt
Personnel
David Gilmour – guitars, lead vocals, lap steel guitar
Nick Mason – drums, percussion
Richard Wright – keyboards, secondary vocals, backing vocals
Sam Brown – backing vocals
Jon Carin – keyboards, secondary vocals, backing vocals, programming
Claudia Fontaine – backing vocals
Durga McBroom – backing vocals
Dick Parry – saxophones
Guy Pratt – bass, secondary vocals, backing vocals
Tim Renwick – guitars, backing vocals
Gary Wallis – percussion, additional drums (played and programmed)
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