28. September 2008 by John Arnold.

The New York Times on September 15, 2008 wrote, “Richard Wright, Member of Pink Floyd, Dies at 65.” Saying Richard Wright was a ‘member’ of Pink Floyd is a bit like saying there’s concrete in New York City.  Richard Wright was every bit as much what Pink Floyd is as was David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Nick Mason.

I remember watching a dvd about the making of Dark Side of the Moon that contained footage of studio sessions in which Floyd was recording songs not on DSOTM.  One in particular, “Echoes” - David Gilmour and Richard Wright were peforming a vocal duet in the initial verses of the song when Gilmour stopped, looked scathingly across the studio at Wright and said “hangs motionless UPON the AIR.  You’re going to bloody butcher us…”  Richard looked at that moment like he wanted to be anywhere else in the world but in that studio.  That’s probably the first time I really identified with Richard Wright.  When people think about Floyd, the tendency is to think about Gilmour and Waters, but the post-Barrett Floyd would never have been what it became without all four of these passionate perfectionists - Gilmour, Waters, Mason and Wright.

Each one of these men conveyed a compelling message that they articulated collectively through their music.  So compelling in fact, that nothing short of brilliant music would serve to convey it. 

“Us and Them” is, I think, Richard Wright’s greatest achievement.  Orginally written as a background score for the film, Zabriskie Point, directed by Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni, it was rejected by the director as too “mournful… sad” and lay quietly forgotten before being resurrected to be included on Dark Side of the Moon.  This piece of music entrenched Richard Wright as an instrumental influence on the sound and the success that launched Pink Floyd to the next level with Dark Side of the Moon.

It’s a black month, Richard.  Thank you for leaving with us those pieces of you that you could describe on your keys.  I hope you are now at that Great Gig in the Sky.  I hope you are happy and at peace.

You are missed.

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27. July 2008 by John Arnold.

The Big Lebowski…  What a movie.  I converted another friend to the genius of the Coen Brothers last night.  While the movie has its share of the surreal, you can’t beat it for memorable quotes, many of which happen to be my favorites are probably unsuitable for repetition here. It does remain a fact though that countless are the times since I first saw The Big Lebowski that I’ve wanted to walk into my boss’ office and say “New shit has come to light, man.”

Now, I’m not a movie critic, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. So, if you haven’t seen this movie (which came out in 1998), grab it next time you walk by the Bargain Bin in your local video store or Walmart. If on the other hand, you’re easily offended by a liberal smattering of profanity, you may not make a connection. However, as employed by the Coens, the profanity is not so much gratuitous as it is a defnining characterstic of the central characters - the Dude and Walter. Poor Donnie… Just shut the fuck up Donnie.  ”I am the Walrus?  I am the Walrus.”

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