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From album
p·u·l·s·e
Pink Floyd · 1995 · Track 5
Details
Duración4:44
Álbump·u·l·s·e
Año1995
ISRCGBN9Y1100080
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The story behind
When you dive into The Great Gig in the Sky, you encounter a piece that transcends the usual song structure. What makes it so special is the voice of Clare Torry, who doesn't sing lyrics but expresses pure emotions, as if she were another instrument. This vocal improvisation, which feels so free yet so connected to Richard Wright's music, is the heart of the piece. The musical foundation, which evolved from initial ideas like "The Mortality Sequence," was built on rhythmic and bass patterns they were already exploring in tracks like Breathe, but with a twist that made it unique.
The recording of this piece, which is part of the album The Dark Side of the Moon, took place at Abbey Road studios in London, England. In early 1973, shortly before the album was ready, the band decided to incorporate a female voice. Alan Parsons, the sound engineer, suggested Clare Torry, a 25-year-old session singer. The session was quickly arranged, and Torry, inspired by the music, improvised over the instrumental backing. She recorded two full takes, and a third that she didn't quite finish, feeling she had already given her best. The final result is an amalgamation of these takes, achieving a vocal expression that surprised everyone. Richard Wright is the main composer of the music, while Clare Torry contributed her vocal genius. The song was released as a digital single on February 10, 2023, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon.