A feast of Floyd in the new Q and Mojo Magazines
Written by Matt   
Saturday, 25 February 2006

With his new album just a week away, it is no surprise that the latest issues of the UK's Mojo and Q Magazines are chock-full of David Gilmour and Pink Floyd!

Mojo April 2006
Mojo, April 2006
Q April 2006
From Q, April 2006
Starting with Mojo (cover date April 2006), which features a lovely cover, there is a fifteen page exclusive interview with Gilmour where we are treated to a two day interview with Gilmour that was conducted aboard the Astoria last month.

There are side bar features involving Rado Klose, Phil Manzanera, Robert Wyatt, Jaz Colemans 'punk' view of the Floyd and an interesting piece entitled 'How to whittle 150 pieces of music into a ten track album'.

The interview itself is introduced as '...Gilmour talks candidly about Syd, Roger Waters and the "carnage" of the last decade'. It is truly revealing and informative, and alongside are some fabulous new photos of David along with some great archive shots, some of which we've not seen before.

There's a companion piece about Syd Barrett's last bid for musical expression with Stars that covers four pages and includes Mark Sturdy asking "What happened to those Stars masters?" Those with long memories will recall Mark's appeal to Brain Damage visitors for help with the article.

Mojo also publish their short but complimentary review of 'On an Island' and give it four stars (out of five). The reviewer concludes..."Dave's 'feel personified' guitar solos are legion. The one on The Blue - a sublime piece of virtuosity you can sense coming - gave me goose bumps".

A full page ad for On and Island makes the whole thing even more tangible.

There is also an advert for Mojo, The Radio Station. Psych Out Saturday on March 11th from 9.00pm, will have a sonic smorgasboard of psychedelic delights plus Pink Floyd Live at 11.00pm. There will also be 'David Gilmour and the music of Pink Floyd' on Friday 10th March at 9.00pm. Mojo Radio is available via Sky Digital (channel 932), Freeview (channel 721) and on www.mojo4music.com.

Another incentive to buy the mag, if you still need one, is the free cover mounted CD entitled 'Mojo Psych Out' featuring a cover pastiche of 'Piper' and including great tracks by the likes of John's Children, Tomorrow, The Troggs, Donovan, Procol Harum and many others.

Finally, to round off this Floydtastic feast, Mojo are offering new subscribers a free David Gilmour In Concert DVD, when they sign up. Phew!

Turning to Q Magazine, there's less Floyd in this issue, but interesting and unique nonetheless. There's a four star (out of five) review of "On An Island" under the heading "The Axe Files", which talks of the "sumptuous record" in glowing terms, and closes by saying that "Live 8 was the perfect trailer for On An Island, while also saddling it with impossible expectations. Gilmour has risen above all that and made an album which should keep those baying for a reunion record satisfied."

Other than the full page ad for the album, and a "Q Recommends" for the forthcoming broadcast of David's special gig for the BBC, there is a fascinating full page article with David talking about ten things he does and doesn't like - from being called "Dave", talk of future Pink Floyd shows, drugs, Syd Barrett, the homeless and aging with grace!

Both magazines should be hitting UK stores this coming week, and are available in many countries worldwide as an import. Our thanks to Q/Mojo's Mark Blake for his help, along with BD's Kevan Porter.