David Gilmour-About Face (1984)

Once Roger Waters' relationship with the rest of Pink Floyd ended after the album "The Final Cut", guitarist David Gilmour focused his efforts on creating his second solo album. Far removed from Waters' political or social activism, Gilmour concentrated solely on showcasing his musical talent without engaging with his former bandmate's controversial messages. "About Face" reveals the musical sensibility of an excellent guitarist in an accessible and thoroughly enjoyable work. Melancholic atmospheres set the overall tone of the album, as exemplified by the emotive "Out Of The Blue" and the radiant "Love On The Air", where he receives invaluable assistance from Steve Winwood on keyboards. Winwood, along with other prominent musicians such as Jon Lord, Jeff Porcaro, Bob Ezrin, Roy Harper, Ray Cooper, Pino Palladino, and Michael Kamen, comprises the extensive list of guest musicians on the album's recording. The nods to his main band are present in the progressive "Blue Light" and "Near the End", while the more predictable eighties-inspired "Until We Sleep" and "All Lovers Are Deranged", put a worthy conclusion to an effort that is more appealing and less pretentious for the average listener than the vindictive schemes of the brilliant but irascible Roger Waters.