Pink Floyd, Delicate Sound Of Thunder (1988)

I have a huge love for this album – a sentimental attachment. You see, I never got to see Pink Floyd live. But I got (kinda) close. We were in Auckland when they played on the tour that would come to be represented by this double-live album; the tour in support of A Momentary Lapse Of Reason. We were staying with friends. One of them worked in radio and told us it would be easy to get free tickets to the gig. He hoped for eight so that all of us could go. Or if not he’d get four. And then, logically, four of us would go. In the end he got two. So only two could go. My brother chickened out – made out he wasn’t interested. I was only allowed to go if my older brother went. But instead the family-friend’s son was given the tickets. I’m not sure my parents trusted him to take me so instead he took one of his pals. I was gutted. I was actually distraught. I was given the consolation prize of my choice of a Pink Floyd album. I bought A Momentary Lapse since it was the album out at the time. We drove back from Auckland the day after the concert and the whole family had to listen to my tape of A Momentary Lapse Of Reason. They didn’t seem to enjoy it at all. I loved it. Instantly. And because I was upset about not going to the gig – so this was my consolation. When Delicate Sound was released I purchased it on double-tape and then eventually I bought the double-LP. I’ve always liked it – it means more to me than Pulse. I like the track-selection better. I like the versions of the songs performed here. And I like to think that I got a slice of the action I missed when I wasn’t allowed to go to a Pink Floyd concert. Back in 1987 in Auckland; the most gutted I have ever been to miss a show. I had just turned 11.

Sample Track: Sorrow

The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown