Biography
Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. Distinguished by their use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, extended compositions and elaborate live shows, they are one of the most commercially successful and influential groups in the history of popular music. Pink Floyd were founded in 1965 by students Syd Barrett on guitar and lead vocals, Nick Mason on drums, Roger Waters on bass and vocals, and Richard Wright on keyboards and vocals. They gained popularity performing in London’s underground music scene during the late 1960s, and under Barrett’s leadership released two charting singles and a successful debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967). Guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour joined in December 1967; Barrett left in April 1968 due to deteriorating mental health. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd
Album & Cover
Obscured by Clouds is the seventh studio album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, based on their soundtrack for the French film La Vallée, by Barbet Schroeder. It was released in the United Kingdom on 2 June 1972, and a few weeks later in the United States, by Harvest Records, reaching number 6 and number 46 respectively. A single, “Free Four”, was issued in the US only. The album was something of a stopgap for the band, who had already started work on The Dark Side of the Moon, and was recorded in two sessions in France between touring, with three days for mixing. The original plan was to just record small sections of music, but they ultimately created enough songs for a complete album. The resulting work has been overlooked in the Pink Floyd canon because of the huge commercial success of later albums, but still has a positive reaction from fans and critics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obscured_by_Clouds
The cover design was an out of focus still from the movie La Vallee… reality obscured. It consists of a photograph of a man sitting in a tree.
Cover Location:
Who Did What: Cover Design – Hipgnosis (courtesy of La Vallee)
Label: Harvest ST11078(US), Harvest SHSP 4020(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
Tracklist
Side One Obscured By Clouds When You’re In Burning Bridges The Gold It’s In The… Wots… Uh The Deal Mudmen |
Side Two Childhood’s End Free Four Stay Absolutely Curtains |
Credits
Producer, Composed By – Pink Floyd
Notes
Music from The movie “La Vallée”
The label credits David Gilmour as “Gilmore” and Richard Wright as “Wrights” where the sleeve says “Gilmour” and “Wright”.