Alfred Publishing has released Pink Floyd Piano Sheet Music Anthology book, featuring selections from the band’s best selling albums. The book itself is bound with high quality recycled paper, for all of you “green” fans. The cover is glossy black and features a magnificent picture of the late Richard Wright seated on a throne behind the majesty of his modern day keyboard set up. The transcriptions within definitely highlight some of Wright’s finest works with Pink Floyd and include some never-before -published features. Included are songs from The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall and The Division Bell.
The Dark Side Of The Moon was the band’s eighth studio recording and their most commercially successful album. It remained on the charts for an unprecedented 741 weeks from 1973 to 1988. The book has two songs from this recording, “The Great Gig In The Sky” and “Us And Them.”
The transcription of ‘The Great Gig In The Sky” has been previously published. However, this new release includes features that were skimmed over, such as a natural sign on the first C ninth chord, as well as vocal cues. Also, the piano bass lines previously published were written using quarter notes through the vocal soloing in the G minor to C7 progression. This newly transcribed version brings more life to the piece by emulating a walking bass line; that adds more character.
While transcriptions for “Us And Them” have been published before, the version in this book has been upgraded as well. This version features the way it would have been played on the piano as opposed to the guitar. The introduction has been written out, including the notes for the subtle organ passage that precedes the start of the song. The saxophone part is written out above the treble staff, completing the score. The added bonus to this piece is that the piano solo has been written out, whereas in the past it was typically omitted, bravo! Wright is surely smiling down from Heaven over the wonderful presentation of these two songs that the publisher took the time to do correctly.
Wish You Were Here was the band’s ninth album and is said to be David Gilmour and Richard Wright’s favorite Pink Floyd release. This record ranks at the 209th spot on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. “Have A Cigar,” “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and “Wish You Were Here” are all included in the book.
Animals, released in 1977, was the tenth Floyd album, written primarily by Roger Waters. “Pigs (Three Different Ones)” is the only song from Animals included in the book. Parents familiar with the graphic language of “Pigs” need not worry about purchasing this book for their budding child musicians, as Alfred Publishing has opted to censor the inappropriate language.
Fans of The Wall will be extremely pleased with the decision to publish nine songs from the album herein. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II),” “Comfortably Numb,” “ Run Like Hell,” “ Stop,” “The Trial” and “Waiting For The Worms” have been lovingly transcribed in the book. “Run Like Hell” is missing a written out solo on the third verse; however, the third verse has been designated for the solo.
The Division Bell was the last official album release for Pink Floyd and came in 1994, minus Roger Waters. Only one song from this album makes an appearance in this book: a well-crafted version of “High Hopes.”
Pink Floyd Piano Sheet Music Anthology is yet another great compilation of songs, masterfully transcribed, by a company that works to get it right. A must for any fan and or musician who appreciates Pink Floyd.
~ David R. Pighin
