RICHARD WRIGHT
Crossover Prog • United Kingdom
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Richard William WRIGHT - 28th July, 1943 (Hatch End, Middlesex, UK) - 15 September 2008
His parents, Bridie and Cedric Wright had two other children, Selina and Guinevere. Rick attended the Haberdasher's School, and when he was 17 years old, the Regent Street Polytechnic, where he met ROGER WATERS and NICK MASON. They started a group and six months later were joined by lead guitarist SYD BARRETT and PINK FLOYD was born. After BARRETT was replaced by DAVID GILMOUR, the band gradually redefined their style over half a dozen albums. In "Ummagumma" the band was allowed to combine a straightforward live album with a second disc, comprising four sections, each recorded by one band member as a solo activity. WRIGHT's instrumental contribution, "Sysyphus" (parts 1-4) was named after a character in Greek mythology.
You'll find that not only did he tickle the ivories (or plastics), but he also managed to find time to write and sing a number of the FLOYD's ditties, like "The Great Gig in the Sky" ("The Dark Side of the Moon").The band's phenomenal success during the time when "Wish You Were Here" and "Animals" were released led to a great amount of tension and conflicts among the band members. Solo albums were a safety valve and WRIGHT released "Wet Dream" in 1978. WRIGHT was accompanied by top session musicians Mel Collins (sax), Snowy White (guitar), Larry Steele (bass) and Reg Isadore (drums). No singles were released from the album, and WRIGHT did not perform any concerts. By the time they came to record "The Wall" in 1979 ROGER WATERS was assuming control of the band. WRIGHT felt the full brunt of this when WATERS threatened not to release "The Wall" unless WRIGHT left the band. WRIGHT spent the next two years as a paid employee, playing "The Wall" in America, Britain and Germany.
Being paid on a wage, he was the only "member" of PINK FLOYD to actually make money on that tour (yes, the FLOYD "lost their shirts" on that tour--it was so phenomenally expensive to put on, and they did so few shows that they couldn't recoup their investment. The rest of the band were "investors," as it were, but WRIGHT's role was the same as that of the roadies--fixed dollar amount per night or some such. So he didn't get reamed like everyone else). He did not appear on "The Final Cut".
After leaving PINK FLOYD, WRIGHT formed a short-lived partnership, called ZEE who released Identity ('84), with D...read more
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RICHARD WRIGHT discography
Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums
RICHARD WRIGHT top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
3.87 | 251 ratings
Wet Dream 1978 |
2.41 | 87 ratings
ZEE: Identity 1984 |
3.99 | 235 ratings
Broken China 1996 |
RICHARD WRIGHT Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
RICHARD WRIGHT Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)
RICHARD WRIGHT Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
3.25 | 4 ratings
Richard Wright & Dave Harris - Zee: Identity 2019 (Limited Edition Boxset) 2019 |
RICHARD WRIGHT Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)
4.40 | 5 ratings
Drop In From The Top / No Way (David Gilmour) 1978 |
2.20 | 5 ratings
Confusion (Extended Mix) 1984 |
3.00 | 2 ratings
Runaway / Night of a Thousand Furry Toys 1996 |
3.33 | 3 ratings
Broken China (4 Track Sampler) 1996 |
RICHARD WRIGHT Reviews
Showing last 10 reviews only
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by gbjones
"Cuts Like a Diamond" and "Seems We Were Dreaming" carry the day all by themselves. Here I did a similar thing with albums such as Apricity (a few spectacular original songs); and Glass Hammer's "If the Sun" (probably the least original but nevertheless spectacular. A part simply overwhelms the whole.
As the story goes, Wright was bullied, otherwise he would have been even more prolific. Wright was 25% of Pink Floyd. Is there more to say?
If you feel this review lacks depth, let me know and I'll try to explain why the few gems are five-star gems by updating the same gems which I think can be done exactly once. Otherwise, if you like Floyd, buy it!!! The full weight of it can be heard in vinyl! Crank up those two vinyl tunes and see what I mean!
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by
TCat
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
Many reviewers here have considered "Wet Dreams" to be the long-lost Pink Floyd album. Even though it is a decent enough album, it definitely is not a Pink Floyd album. It is obvious that is a Richard Wright album however as his stamp is all over it, it's just what you would expect from Wright without his band mates input. There are 4 vocal tracks 6 instrumental, the songs mostly being fairly accessible light prog. The songs are quite easy to listen to, but don't necessarily stand out as anything as ground breaking as what the entire band had put out. The closest Pink Floyd album I could compare it to is "Obscured By Clouds", but even then, it's not a close comparison.
The line up of studio musicians is pretty impressive with includes Mel Collins on several tracks and guitarist Snowy White who had past connections with Wright through Pink Floyd. And, in the end, you end up with an okay album of good songs. To me, there seems to be a sense of nervousness to the music that could have come about because of his first official outing on his own. This is evidenced in Wright's 2nd solo album "Broken China" released in 1996 as I consider it a much better and mature album which better reflects his musical talents in both performance and songwriting. "Wet Dreams" however is a good album that could be enjoyed by both Pink Floyd fans and newcomers alike, but not quite up to what we all know is Wright's actual potential. It's good, but not quite great.
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by Zalek27
I thinks wright here achieved perfect balance betwen the music and the concept. Whille On a island sound like Pink floyd but is weak as a concept and lyrics, Broken China is strong as a concept. While amused to deah is weak for the music part some time, Broken chine is strong for the music part.
What i am trying to say here is that Broken China capture the very essence of a PF record while having is own personnality. I am really impressed by how strong some track are (runaway, black cloud. far from the harbour wall, reaching for the rail, breakthroug) etc.
The excecution is aslo brillant. Broken China is a concept album about depression and you can feel the despair and the dark atmosphere for all the album expect the last track (this one represent the end of the depression.)
You need to listen to this album, ist not on spotify neither on youtube but ist the most prog and complex album of all solo member.
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by Psychedelic Paul
Many of the songs on the album have a watery theme, hence the title "Wet Dream", and so we begin with "Mediterranean Sea", an instrumental opening number which has all of the musical elements we've come to know and love over the years from Pink Floyd. There's the pleasing sound of a piano and synth combined together in perfect harmony and a gorgeous saxophone solo from Mel Collins (of King Crimson fame). It's as close to the sound of Pink Floyd as you can get without actually BEING Pink Floyd. This beautiful piece of music wouldn't have seemed out of place on the classic "Dark Side of the Moon" album. We hear the sound of Richard Wright singing solo for the first time on Song No. 2 "Against the Odds" - no relation to the Phil Collins song of the same name. The song is another pleasingly harmonious and melodious song that would be worthy of a place on any Pink Floyd album. In time-honoured tradition, where the singer wears his heart on his sleeve, it's a romantic ballad about love's mysterious ways and the sad break-up of a relationship. We're used to hearing the sound of Richard Wright's harmonising vocals on many of Pink Floyd's albums, but this is where he gets the chance to take centre-stage and really stretch his vocal chords. He sounds pretty good too as a lead vocalist for someone who's better known as a keyboard player. Returning to a watery theme again for "Cat's Cruise", another Floyd-esque instrumental number with a wonderful and mellifluous saxophone solo. Just bask in the glow of this beautifully warm piece of music and imagine yourself out on deck in the sunshine on a sea cruise. It's the kind of feel-good music that's enough to brighten up anyone's day. Sailing onwards now, we come to "Summer Elegy", an uplifting and euphonious piano number that floats over you like a warm breeze. Despite the uplifting and inspirational feel to the music, the lyrics tell a different story:- "Something's gotta give, We can't carry on like this, One year on and more, Unsure where do we go from here?, Many nights and many days I've spent with you, Talking about what we should do, I can't say, Nothing's clear to me no more." ..... Yes, it's another sad tale of love gone sour. To close out Side One, comes "Waves", another watery-themed instrumental number. It's a magical piece of music combining keyboards and saxophone in true Pink Floyd fashion. This soothing and sophisticated melody will leave you feeling like you're sailing on the crest of a wave.
Sailing onto Side Two now and we arrive at our "Holiday" destination, the longest song on the album, running at just over 6 minutes long. "Holiday" is a powerful and passionately uplifting ballad with these heartfelt lyrics:- "It was meant to be a holiday, Building castles by the sea, Another way to live for you and me, Time to pause, Consider what we've done, The wind is blowing, So come, Let's take a holiday." ..... It's a song guaranteed to pull at the heartstrings, and if this song doesn't move you, then you must be a statue. The curiously titled "Mad Yannis Dance" is up next. I've no idea what it's about as it's another instrumental piece. It's not particularly mad and you can't dance to it, but it's a pleasant-sounding number all the same, sounding like a slow plodding march. We're into funky Jazz-Rock territory with "Drop in from the Top", a lively instrumental piece with an upbeat feel to it, which leads us into "Pink's Song", another emotionally appealing ballad. This sad song continues the theme of a broken relationship with these touching lyrics:- "Patiently, you watched us play parts you'd seen before, Even then, We sometimes asked, Would you keep us all?, Caught between the tangled web, You helped set us free, Sadly, then, you lost yourself, so you had to leave." ..... It sounds like Richard Wright is writing from personal experience, straight from the heart, with those heart-wrenching and melancholic lyrics. And so, we come to the end of our wonderful musical cruise now with a lively and Jazzy instrumental number, "Funky Deux", and funky it is too!
Richard Wright has really struck gold with this masterful album of uplifting and emotionally appealing tunes. It's bound to appeal to fans of Pink Floyd, as the album has basically the same Floyd-esque sound we've come to know and love over the last five decades, the only difference being that this album has more of a Jazzy feel to it. Prepare to set sail on the musical cruise of a lifetime with "Wet Dream", a maritime delight from beginning to end. This music is just sublime!
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by mariorockprog
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by mariorockprog
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by ReactioninG
THE MUSIC
1. Confusion
This is a very listenable pop song with a driving rhythm, crashing synths, brass samples and passionate vocals. The lyrics are mainly meaningless, but quite good as a collage. I listen to this song all the time. The single version adds some heavy handed Owner of the Heartish embellishments.
2. Voices
A little plodding, not so different from something that might fit on Momentary Lapse of Reason. Synthesized rhythm section heavy with beautiful textures. Lyrics a little insipid. Reverted radio chatter here and there. Quite repetitive.
3. Private Person
Very Fairlight typical song, with funky little samples getting a little over the top. Wright keeps it entertaining with building hooks and some synth runs. Contemplative Harris vocals and lyrics well suited to the song. Pretty funky and compelling.
4. Strange Rhythm
Begins and continues intermittently with a near-obnoxious Fairlight loop from a voice sample. Gets a little discoey. Some funky guitar sounds from a real guitar, a buried solo amid brass samples. A weak track. Off kilter.
5. Cuts Like A Diamond
This is generally considered the best song on the album and is, with realistic sounding or at least realistically programmed drum samples/drum machine. A lot of good guitar work more up front this time. Sounds like a kind of throwaway Pink Floyd song. The fairlight is more subdued and its a very natural sounding song. The loud 80s drums are very effective here.
6. By Touching.
Begins with an annoying sample that reappears at times, not unlike Strange Rhythm. Getting more conventional here. Guitar makes another effective appearance. Goes for a funky vibe. Not as entertaining as most of the previous tracks.
7. How Do You Do It?
Perhaps most pop song so far. Has a twisted dance beat. Interesting bass sounds. What I imagine is an actual keyboard solo is great in the middle. Then a little guitar solo with some scat singing over it. Not altogether bad.
8. Seems We Were Dreaming
This is a little like Cuts Like A Diamond. Slow, with some brass samples prominent at the beginning. Starts to jam halfway with some Hammond like playing coming in. Then slows down again.
This album is patchy and the lyrics and vocals can wear on one. It is often repetitive. However, it is very entertaining and highly accessible. It is very much of its time however that makes it very unique. There are a lot of ambitious all-Fairlight albums conceived this way and none are as good as this one.
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by billwilly
I lived my childhood in the 80's, so I was very used to the mainstream sounds; I enjoyed listening to Depeche Mode, Level 42, Kajagoogoo, U2, Duran Duran, OMD, etc. Yet, amidst those bands I discovered Pink Floyd, Yes, Camel, Moody Blues ... of course, with their 80's productions. Thanks to it I became interested in their music which was, in a certain way, a bit different to the others; little by little, I started to discover at a very young age what Progressive music was.
I don't blame Richard Wright for attempting this experiment with former Fashion's singer and guitarist Dee Harris. It was a way to survive in that period. The album per se, is not bad at all. On the contrary (thanks to what I mention above), I really enjoyed the album from beginning to end, it reminded me of so many bands like Talking Heads, King Crimson, Japan and Camel, all of them progressive, all of them with similar productions in the 80's.
Ok, ok ... it is not a progressive album, but it is a wonderful new wave album created by a classic progressive musician (Richard Wright) and a post-punk, new romantic one (Dee Harris), that's what I call experimentation.
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by
Guillermo
Prog Reviewer
I really expected a very "dark" and "depressing" album. Maybe that was the main reason to not buy this album in 1996 when I saw it in the record shop. But Wright`s talent really helped him to make a very good album full of musical moods and atmospheres, using a lot of the then new digital keyboards. But maybe the most important thing in this album was the empathy that Wright showed musically and lyrically for this person`s personal history and how he also experienced the process of this condition with this person. For me, it was a very good gesture done by Wright for his then wife.
Richard Wright Crossover Prog
Review by
Guillermo
Prog Reviewer
A last note: I found in the web that this album was released on CD in the Netherlands, and it seems that it never was released in the U.S. in any format.