I find is this the life we really want to be a bit more heavy handed as far as the pretense goes. This complex concept album takes its title from a book by author neil postman that also explores and alerts us to. Jeff beck does some wonderful guitar playing on the album, particularly on the ballad of bill hubbard, where he pulls licks out of his strings that make the instrument sound like a sentient creature baring its soul. Waters enlisted legendary guitarist jeff beck to play lead guitar and a whole host of talent to provide additional music and vocal support. Roger waters amused to death album page 2 the gear page. The album title was attached to material that waters began working on during the radio k. Buy amused to death vinyl online at low prices in india. Amused to death acoustic guitar roger waters backing vocals doreen chanter, katie kissoon bass james johnson drums graham broad electric guitar geoff whitehorn keyboards patrick leonard soloist solo, guitar jeff beck vocals rita coolidge, roger waters vocals royal fusiliers. For his third solo album and last for 25 years, amused to death 1992, roger waters takes listeners on a journey through his mind as he examines how human society has been affected through mass media and particularly television. With this album, waters touches heavily on the dangers of capitalism, the insensitivity of the human. As beck floats a solo at the twominute mark, listen out for the bandleaders encouragement.
The album was inspired by the book amusing ourselves to death, a critique of television and its related culture by neil postman. In addition to jeff beck playing guitar on half the tracks, vocal cameos come flying in from don henley, p. This release was issued in a standard jewel case with a black tray whereas the cb 681 release was issued in a standard jewel case with a clear tray. This release is almost identical to roger waters amused to death with the difference being the distribution code printed on the bottom right hand corner of the rear inlay which on this release is cb 811 and on that release is cb 681. Roger waters amused to death audiogon discussion forum. After reading it i was amazed at how little i knew, but pleased to be so informed.
Twentythree years later, amused to death speaks to our present moment in ways that could. The title and theme were inspired by neil postmans 1985 book amusing ourselves to death. Only this time, instead of david gilmour, it was jeff beck. In addition to jeff beck playing guitar on half the tracks. Amused to death roger waters discography pink floyd. Amused to death is the third studio album by english musician roger waters, released 7 september 1992 on columbia. Give any one species too much ropeand theyll fuck it up is the cheery sentiment on roger waters amused to death. The other major reason i would recommend amused to death is if you are an aficionado of jeff beck s guitar playing.
The clip features waters and guitarist jeff beck, who appears on a handful of amused to death tracks, performing the track live in a studio setting. Amused to death is mixed in qsound, a virtual surround sound, which enhances the spatial feel of the audio along with the. Amused to death from a similarly titled book, amusing ourselves to death by. This new, revised edition of hot wired guitar brings beck. Guitar jeff beck bass roger waters, james johnson drums jeff porcaro background vocals jon joyce, stan laurel, jim haas london welsh chorale conducted by kenneth bowen.
Guitar solo by jeff beck on what god wants, god gets part 3, is quite possibly one of my favorites of all time. I much prefer the maybe more superficial but musically more satisfying to me work of david g. This supermarket life, is getting long what is the heart life of a color tv. The album features jeff beck on lead guitar on several tracks. With amused to death, roger waters sounded the alarm about a society increasingly and unthinkingly in thrall to its television screens.
Roger waters will reissue his 1992 lp, amused to death, on july 24th, and rolling stone has the exclusive on the updated music video for the remastered album s what god wants, part 1. Roger waters used all of his star power and musical acumen to pull together an impressive list of contributors for amused to death. Roger waters, amused to death written by matthew bolin may 28, 2008 music, when good albums happen to bad people you probably wont be surprised when i tell you that this has been the hardest post for me to write since popdose started. As we reported last week, roger waters is set to release a remastered version of amused to death, his critically acclaimed 1992 album. The musicianship on amused to death is exceptional. Amused to death backing vocals doreen chanter, katie kissoon bass guitar james johnson drums graham broad electric guitar geoff whitehorn keyboards patrick leonard soloist, guitar jeff beck vocals alf razzell, rita coolidge vocals, acoustic guitar roger waters. Roger waters, amused to death columbia ck 47127, 1992 reissued columbialegacy recordings, 2015. Guitar jeff beckkeyboards, programmed by percussion programming patrick. One of the albums noteworthy guest musicians was guitar great jeff beck, whose brilliant playing is a true highlight of several tracks, including what god wants, part iand seven other songs. Ive been able to go back to amused to death again and again over the last 24. Most notably, guitarist jeff beck makes appearances on a few tracks. Hot wired guitar the life of jeff beck power, martin on. If you are an amused to death fan and have bluray and 5. Roger waters amused to death 1994, qsound, gold disc.
Amused to death is mixed in qsound, a virtual surround sound, which enhances the spatial feel of the audio along with the various sound effects sprinkled throughout the album. Jeff beck does some wonderful guitar playing on the album, particularly on the ballad of bill hubbard, where he pulls licks out of his strings that make the. Three wishes, my solo from amused to death by roger waters. Much of beck s recorded output has been instrumental, with a focus on innovative sound, and his releases have spanned genres ranging from. Once in a while an album comes along which demands to be spoken about, particularly when it seems to be neglected by the masses. Neil postman, inspired waters the founding member of pink floyd to make the cd. The albums title was inspired by neil postmans book amusing ourselves to death. The albums title was inspired by neil postmans book amusing ourselves to death a remastered remix by waters and james. Roger waters amused to death 200g 45rpm 4lp box set. Of course, like everything floydrelated, nothings perfect. Amused to death is a concept album, and the third studio album by former pink floyd bassist and songwriter roger waters. The book is now 20 years old, it applies just as well or better today then when it was written. In addition to jeff beck playing guitar on half the tracks, vocal cameos. The tapestry of found sounds, choirs, televisions, washes of organ, lonely acoustic guitars, and blues leads by jeff beck does recall floyd at their 70s peak, but amused to death sounds grander and more expansive.
The album was inspired by the book amusing ourselves to death, a critique of television and its. The remixed and remastered reissue of the 1992 solo release from the pink floyd founding member included guest appearances from jeff beck, rita coolidge, don he. Amused to death is very much a product of its time. One of the albums noteworthy guest musicians was guitar great jeff beck, whose brilliant playing is a true highlight of several tracks, including what god wants, part iiiand seven others. It has an all star cast of musicians, including jeff beck on guitar, don henley on vocals for the song watching tv, p. Amused to death pop culture wiki fandom powered by wikia. Former eagle don henley duets on watching tv, while jeff beck. How roger waters reanimated his legend on amused to death. Mqs albums download mastering quality sound,hires audio download. C 1992 columbia records, a division of sony music entertainment.
Roger waters amused to death certainly filled that criteria when it was first released in 1992, and it remains to be seen. Jeff beck on amused to death is awesome and i really like the production, but the songwriting and sense of melody doesnt move me as much as i wish it would. Its very indepth and has some surprising info on his collaborations. Much of beck s recorded output has been instrumental, with a focus on innovative sound, and his releases have spanned genres ranging from blues rock, hard rock, and an additional blend of guitarrock and electronica. Jeff beck stars in roger waters updated what god wants. With jeff beck, graham broad, andy fairweather low, jim ladd. Jeff beck is an iconic guitar player and this book does justice to his story.
Music video by roger waters performing what god wants, pt. I thought i knew a lot about jeff beck prior to reading this book. Amused to death is a solid album both conceptually and musically, showcasing waters as an artist who, like his work with pink floyd, conveys his thoughts and ideals with pinpoint accuracy so that they are engraved within his audiences mind. Amused to death is available for preorder at where fans will have access to an exclusive music and merchandise bundle including their choice of an amused to death tshirt or sweatshirt. Roger waters amused to death to be reissued with new. Much of the frontal philosophical assault remains on the first half, but the second half lulls you into pleasant 5. Waters sometimes lets indulgence get the better of him, and certain moments of the album feel overlong, or too overthought, and wouldve benefited. Although he began working on the initial concept in the late 1980s, inspired by neil postmans book amusing ourselves to death, the project was shelved as waters began work on staging the massive wall show live in. An unblinking look at an entertainmentobsessed society, amused to death addresses issues that have only grown in complexity and urgency over the past two decades. Continuing waters trend of having well known guest guitarists featured on his solo albums, amused to death features jeff beck on lead guitar. Roger waters celebrated 1992 solo album, amused to death, will return july 24better than evercourtesy of a new remaster from columbia recordslegacy recordings. Roger waters amused to death to be reissued with new artwork. It spans from childhood to 2014, providing an almost complete picture of his life and career. Amused to death vocals roger waters, rita coolidge, alf razzell royal fusiliers keyboards patrick leonard solo guitar jeff beck electric guitar geoff whitehorn.
Produced by waters and patrick leonard, it is mixed in qsound to enhance its spatial feel. Jeff beck does some wonderful guitar playing on the album, particularly on the. Roger waters amused to death 1992 beck sprayed guitar genius over seven tracks on waterss dystopian concept album. Stevie wonder talking book 1972 on talking book wonder played most of the instruments himself, but delegated stunt guitar on lookin for another pure love. By the time waters unleashed amused to death, everyones appreciation. Waters has said the record, which also features jeff beck on. One of the albums noteworthy guest musicians was guitar great jeff beck, whose playing is a true highlight of several tracks, including what god wants, part iiiand seven others.