I've owned the original CD since it's initial release in the '80s, and I've always felt that it sounded flat and lifeless, so I ordered this remaster with hope of at least modest improvement. After fetching it from the mailbox, I popped it in my player, hit play, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This disc has depth, dynamics, warmth, and perfect tonal balance - all way beyond anything I had hoped for. Who remastered it? Doug Sax. He and his company, The Mastering Lab, do a lot of work for audiophile labels, and he is considered by many to be the best in the business. Apparently he was given a lot of freedom on this project, because even the volume level isn't jacked up to todays record company norms. He gave it plenty of headroom and no noticeable compression, and it sounds sweet! This is an audiophile quality disc for the price of standard admission. I wish they'd clone this guy.

It's now been an entire decade since Pink Floyd released a new studio album, and the likelihood of a forthcoming album or tour is getting drearier. So, once new fans have collected all of the albums of those legendary titans, and are perplexed as to where the "next Floyd album" is, they can find a silver lining in collecting the solo albums of the five past and present members. Aside from being a great place to start, David Gilmour's eponymous solo debut (along with fellow PF member Richard Wright's "Wet Dream") is significant for students of Floyd history; it captures the missing period of time between the 1977 "Animals" album and the long, tension-racked sessions for 1979's epic "The Wall." Released in 1978, Gilmour's first album is both as atmospheric and varied as "The Wall" due to his signature guitar work, and often as rough as "Animals." The opening instrumental 'Mihalis' and another interesting instrumental 'Raise My Rent' are like the instrumental demos Gilmour recorded during these sessions which would eventually become 'Comfortably Numb' and 'Run Like Hell.' But the top songs on the album present Gilmour as a strong songwriter, or in the case of the melodic 'There's No Way Out Of Here,' an interpreter. 'So Far Away' and 'I Can't Breathe Anymore' prove the guitarist is an excellent crafter of songs, and it's been speculated that 'No Way' could be Gilmour's description of Floyd's dominant presence Roger Waters, while 'Short and Sweet' (co-written with Roy Harper) is the kind of radio-friendly song that makes this album such a joy for even non-Floyd fans to listen to.

This album proves David Gilmour's mastery of the guitar and vocals. It is a far cry from Waters's solo work, which sacrifices musical quality for lyrical complexity and flashy effects. Gilmour's solo album, however, has just the right amount of subtlety and charm to be considered a serious musical album. Even though it dosn't revolve around a specific concept like 'The Wall' or 'Animals', 'David Gilmour' shows remarkable cohesiveness. This album is strongly reminiscient of 'Wish You Were Here' in the way it is put together. Every track has importance, and they're all very good. The soothing but magnetic 'Mihalis' opens the album, and 'I can't Breathe Anymore' closes the piece with a guitar power trip. The instrumentals are great, and every song shows it could stand on its own. 'David Gilmour' shows immense replay value and wonderful texture. If you think Roger Waters was the only genius of Pink Floyd, think again.

"David Gilmour" stands head and shoulders above either of Gilmour's other solo CDs. Throughout the set list, Gilmour is in consistently fine form, and shows off his chops not only on guitar and vocals but also as a surprisingly competent piano player. Strong songs focus both Gilmour's singing and instrumental prowess, and this disc collects most of his strongest solo material. Most of this album can easily hold its own against much of Pink Floyd's output, and it's by far the best of any of Gilmour's attempts at solo success. When I bought this CD I listened to it at least once nightly for over two weeks and not once did I skip through the songs. That is how good this CD is. There are no big-name guest stars here and no gimmicks - only Gilmour with some very capable support on drums and bass.

There are no bonus tracks. Given that Gilmour is a perfectionist, that isn't surprising. I, for one, would rather hear a strong album the way that it was originally intended rather than dilute it with needless outtakes or demos. If Gilmour doesn't want them here, he has his reasons and I respect them.

Listening to this CD, I had a new appreciation for just how fine a craftsman David Gilmour can be. Everyone recognizes his gifts as a lead guitarist, but he's also a solid songwriter and his arranging skills are sublime. Try this CD, and you might find yourself glad that "There's No Way Out Of Here!"

Gilmour, of course, is best known as the guitarist for Pink Floyd. In 1978 he put out this his first solo album of shorter songs mostly in the 4 to 5 minute range. If I remember correctly the two guys he recruited to perform on the album with him had been in a band with Gilmour when they were kids. The bass player is Rick Willis who has had stints with both Foreigner and Bad Company, and the drummer was Willie Wilson. I have always liked this album. The songs are relatively simple, but all contain that distinctive David Gilmour guitar that is uniquely his. Gilmour's voice is also one of a kind with it's soothing quality that always gave Pink Floyd that special touch. The album is a mix of instrumentals and vocal tunes that reflect a similar sound to what fans are used to in Floyd. The lyrics, while not as profound as Roger Waters, are all decent and enjoyable. Highlights include, "Mihalis", "There's No Way Out Of Here", "So Far Away", "Raise My Rent", and "I Can't Breathe Anymore". The bottom line is if you like Gilmour's work with Pink Floyd you will probably like this nice little disc.