Last week we updated the website when the news came through that the July 2nd gig at Bad Honnef, Germany, for Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets had unavoidably been changed to E-Werk in Cologne on the same day. The Saucers' show was one of a number affected at the location. Ticket holders should have already been contacted regarding the change of location, but there's a factor which could be overlooked and is important for those affected.

Our friend Andreas Claus got in touch to let us know that there's a significant difference to the new venue. It is no longer a seated concert, so while we understand tickets remain valid for the new location, if you are someone who doesn't want to stand, or is unable to (for health reasons), you may need to investigate getting a refund for your ticket.

One of the more inventive interpretations of Pink Floyd's 1973 classic, The Dark Side Of The Moon, was released back in February 2003, by the Easy Star All Stars. Using the pick of the reggae and soul community, who spent over three years on the work, Dub Side Of The Moon was one of the more outrageous attempts at reworking Floyd tunes that has come along over the years. And it works really well - so much so that Nick Mason has mentioned it on occasion as a version he enjoys, particularly over renditions by tribute bands and suchlike.

The idea came about in 1999 when New York reggae label vice president Lem Oppenheimer convinced his colleagues that this was a viable concept to cover. He imagined it would "echo Dark Side's album artwork - refracting Pink Floyd's music vision through a prism of reggaes's rich rhythmic and instrumental possibilities". Gathering some of the best musicians of their genre, the producers approached the work seriously - so seriously in fact, that the (alleged) Wizard Of Oz synchronicity apparently works throughout!

For those who missed out on it originally, or who fancy it on vinyl, Rough Trade have announced an exclusive, coloured vinyl edition of just 300 copies available to order currently, ahead of the 5th August 2022 release date. There have been a few, very limited edition colour editions of this album in the past, so it is nice to have a new version available, albeit for a short while until all 300 are sold!

Our thanks to Brendan Docherty for letting us know about this, and Danny V for his additional help.

The well-respected UK music magazine MOJO has just announced the latest in their series of "deluxe bookazines": MOJO Essentials: Pink Floyd, which aims to have MOJO's experts guide you through Pink Floyd's essential albums, songs, films and books.

In their description, they note that "Pink Floyd's status as rock's greatest visionaries is beyond question, from their early days as psychedelic pioneers in the mid-60s to their mega-selling 70s albums The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall and beyond. But how best to negotiate their revered legacy of studio recordings, film soundtracks, rarities compilations, live albums and books? And what of their members' solo releases?

"Written by MOJO's team of experts, Pink Floyd Essentials arms you with all the knowledge you need to acquire your ultimate Floyd collection. There are incisive appraisals of all their studio albums, from 1967's The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn right up until 2014's 'posthumous' The Endless River, as well as fascinating pieces on the film soundtrack LPs the group cut in the early 70s when their future was uncertain. We also journey track-by-track through their career-spanning compilation Echoes, and take a deep dive into their revelatory Early Years and Later Years box sets.

"Then there are profiles of each member's solo releases, including early leader Syd Barrett's two wonderfully eccentric cult albums from 1970, Roger Waters' prolific catalogue following his departure from the group in 1984, and David Gilmour's output, beginning with his acclaimed self-titled 1978 debut. Fear not, Rick Wright and Nick Mason are featured too!

"When it comes to Floyd’s audio-visual performances, we uncover the extraordinary stories behind the band's ground-breaking Live At Pompeii concert movie and the extravagant 1980/81 tour to promote The Wall, later captured in the epic film of the same name. Plus we recommend the best Pink Floyd books with which to line your reading shelves. Illustrated throughout with dozens of rare and iconic photographs, Pink Floyd Essentials is an indispensable purchase for all serious music fans."

To purchase this magazine - they ship worldwide - please use this direct link to the Great Magazines website.

Officially published in the UK yesterday (June 6th) is the new issue - cover date July 2022, issue 359 - of Total Guitar magazine, which majors on David Gilmour and Pink Floyd.

Over 23 well illustrated pages, with some shots we've not seen before, they trace Gilmour’s evolution as a guitarist via 20 classic Pink Floyd tracks – from 1969’s The Nile Song all the way through to Hey Hey Rise Up. Along the way, Gilmour’s genius in landmark songs such as Echoes, Breathe, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb and Another Brick In The Wall is celebrated by a host of guitarists – Kirk Hammett, Matt Bellamy, Sophie Lloyd, Derek Trucks, Jon Gomm, Steve Rothery of Marillion, Geordie Greep of Black Midi and Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard.

Gilmour’s story of his life in Pink Floyd and beyond is told in his own words, and an insight into the guitarist’s creative process is provided in an exclusive interview with Bob Ezrin, producer of Floyd’s legendary double album The Wall and the last three albums of the band’s career. Finally, in an additional eight-page in-depth lesson, they profile the details of David’s playing technique. From his trademark wide-interval string bends to his melodic bluesy phrasing, they say they cover what you need to know to play like him.

You can order this online through this direct link saving you the effort of tracking it down in a store, or if you live outside the UK.