The Dark Side of the Moon Redux – Roger Waters Reimagines the Original

Roger Waters has just released his reinterpretation of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.  The release of his Dark Side of the Moon Redux is timed to coincide with the original album’s 50th anniversary.

Having listened to the new album and read recent statements by Roger Waters, I’m relieved that this release does not appear to signal a further chapter in his feud with Pink Floyd leadership rival, David Gilmour.

Since Pink Floyd 38 years ago, Waters has continued to perform Pink Floyd songs, largely as they were written and originally recorded. The new album is not Waters endeavouring to show that he can improve on the original, for which he wrote all the lyrics and set his trademark themes.

As Roger Waters observed, 50 years have passed and this is a reimagined more mature version of the Pink Floyd classic. I think that he may well have succeeded.

Waters demonstrates creative genius in producing an album that is readily identifiable as Dark Side of the Moon, yet sufficiently different to not be regarded as merely a version of the original. Re-recordings or updates tend to still sound like the originals, this album doe not.

The most striking difference is the almost total absence of a lead guitar – without which it is difficult to imagine Pink Floyd music. The new album simply cannot be classified prog-rock.

While much more subtle in its transition between tracks, the new album retains the original album’s themes and progressions. I found myself toe tapping to a prevailing drum beat and background heart beat and Waters’ ‘front stage’ bass guitar. Instead of electric guitar we hear keyboards, Hammond organ and synth, a little acoustic guitar, as well as particularly well incorporated, cello.

The next noticeable distinction is Waters’ recitation of poetry on some of the tracks – which blends in seamlessly.

The lyrics are sung, spoken or whispered by Waters in late Leonard Cohen style. For much of the album, Waters narrates, sounding like Richard Burton in War of the Worlds.

I have tended to largely ignore Waters’ versions of earlier Pink Floyd songs. After all, David Gilmour’s versions feature the original guitarist and vocalist and in most cases one or both of the original Pink Floyd members. However, on Dark Side of the Moon Redux Waters showcases his musical mastery, in a manner befitting a writer and musician who is 50 years older and performing for an audience in 2023 that is not asked to compare or look up the original.