Pink Floyd

Label: Parlophone
Country: UK
Released: 2014
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

The Final Chapter in Pink Floyd's Journey

Pink Floyd's "The Endless River" is their fifteenth and final studio album, released on November 10, 2014, by Parlophone Records in Europe and Columbia Records globally. This album is a tribute to Richard Wright, the band's founding keyboardist, who passed away in 2008. The music draws from 20 hours of unreleased recordings made during the sessions for "The Division Bell" in 1993 and 1994. These sessions took place aboard the Astoria houseboat studio and at Britannia Row Studios.

Production and Sound

The album was produced by David Gilmour, Phil Manzanera, Martin "Youth" Glover, and Bob Ezrin. It is primarily an instrumental work, characterized by ambient and progressive rock influences. The four sides of the vinyl feature extensive use of Wright's Hammond organ, piano, and Fender Rhodes, complemented by Gilmour's guitar work and Nick Mason's percussion. The album emphasizes a serene and introspective atmosphere, with minimal lyrical content.

Unique Elements

"The Endless River" includes unique audio elements, such as historic recordings of Wright playing the pipe organ at the Royal Albert Hall in 1968 on the track "Autumn '68." Additionally, the track "Talkin' Hawkin'" features voice audio from physicist Stephen Hawking. The album concludes with "Louder Than Words," which is the only track with lead vocals. The lyrics for this song were written by Polly Samson, Gilmour's partner.

Cover Art

The cover art for "The Endless River" was created by 18-year-old Egyptian artist Ahmed Emad Eldin. The creative direction was provided by Aubrey Powell, known for his work with the design group Hipgnosis. The artwork visually represents the themes of the album, enhancing the overall experience of the music.

Availability

The album was released in multiple formats, including a 2xLP vinyl edition. The vinyl format is particularly significant as it reflects a resurgence in interest for analog music experiences. "The Endless River" serves as a final collection of Pink Floyd's musical explorations.

The album features a total of 18 tracks, with the recording sessions spanning from 1993 to 2014.

Tracklist

A1	Things Left Unsaid Guitar – David GilmourKeyboards – Bob EzrinOrgan, Keyboards, Synthesizer – Richard WrightWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Richard Wright
A2	It's What We Do Bass Guitar, Guitar – David GilmourDrums – Nick MasonKeyboards, Synthesizer, Strings – Richard WrightWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Richard Wright
A3	Ebb And Flow Electric Piano – Richard WrightGuitar – David GilmourWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Richard Wright
B1	Sum Drums – Nick MasonGuitar, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer – David GilmourKeyboards – Damon IddinsOrgan, Piano – Richard WrightWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Nick MasonWritten-By – Richard Wright
B2	Skins Bass Guitar – Andy JacksonEffects – YouthGuitar – David GilmourKeyboards – Richard WrightRototoms, Drums, Gong – Nick MasonWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Nick MasonWritten-By – Richard Wright
B3	Unsung Guitar, Piano, Synthesizer – David GilmourOrgan, Piano – Richard WrightWritten-By – Richard Wright
B4	Anisina Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Gilad AtzmonDrums – Nick MasonPiano, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – David GilmourWritten-By – David Gilmour
C1	The Lost Art Of Conversation Percussion, Guitar – David GilmourPiano, Synthesizer – Richard WrightWritten-By – Richard Wright
C2	On Noodle Street Bass Guitar – Guy PrattDrums – Nick MasonElectric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Richard WrightGuitar – David GilmourSynthesizer – Jon CarinWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Richard Wright
C3	Night Light Guitar – David GilmourSynthesizer – Richard WrightWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Richard Wright
C4	Allons-y (1) Bass Guitar – Bob EzrinDrums – Nick MasonGuitar – David GilmourOrgan – Richard WrightPercussion, Synthesizer – Jon CarinWritten-By – David Gilmour
C5	Autumn '68 Gong – Nick MasonGuitar – David GilmourKeyboards – Damon IddinsPipe, Organ – Richard WrightWritten-By – Richard Wright
C6	Allons-y (2) Bass Guitar – Bob EzrinDrums – Nick MasonGuitar – David GilmourOrgan – Richard WrightPercussion, Synthesizer – Jon CarinWritten-By – David Gilmour
C7	Talkin' Hawkin' Backing Vocals – Durga McBroomBass Guitar – Guy PrattDrums – Nick MasonGuitar, Backing Vocals – David GilmourPiano, Organ, Synthesizer – Richard WrightVoice – Stephen HawkingWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Richard Wright
D1	Calling Effects – Andy JacksonKeyboards – Anthony MooreKeyboards, Guitar – David GilmourPercussion – Nick MasonWritten-By – Anthony MooreWritten-By – David Gilmour
D2	Eyes To Pearls Bass Guitar – Andy JacksonDrums, Gong – Nick MasonGuitar, Effects, Keyboards – David GilmourOrgan, Keyboards – Richard WrightWritten-By – David Gilmour
D3	Surfacing Backing Vocals – Durga McBroomDrums – Nick MasonGuitar, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – David GilmourSynthesizer, Keyboards – Richard WrightWritten-By – David Gilmour
D4	Louder Than Words Backing Vocals – Durga McBroomBacking Vocals – Louise Marshall*Backing Vocals – Sarah BrownBass Guitar – Bob EzrinElectric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Piano, Synthesizer – Richard WrightPercussion, Drums – Nick MasonStrings – Chantal LevertonStrings – Helen NashStrings – Honor WatsonStrings – Victoria LyonVocals, Guitar, Organ, Effects – David GilmourWritten-By – David GilmourWritten-By – Polly Samson