"David Gilmour's long-time bassist almost missed the opportunity to reunite Pink Floyd, as he was invited to join the band's reformation."
In the world of music, not every collaboration is destined to be a success, but for David Gilmour and Guy Pratt, their partnership has stood the test of time.
Their first encounter, however, was far from promising. A meeting at a show in Birmingham was initially awkward and unproductive, with both musicians standing silently in Gilmour's dressing room. Despite this inauspicious start, Gilmour, a notable musician, was impressed by Pratt's bass playing and remained determined to recruit him.
Gilmour's persistence paid off, and Pratt eventually joined his ranks. This marked the beginning of a long-standing professional relationship that has spanned over 38 years. Gilmour's ribbing and Pratt's tendency to fall for it have become a hallmark of their relationship.
Pratt, who has had a four-decade career as a bassist, has worked with artists such as Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Gary Moore, Michael Jackson, Debbie Harry, and, of course, David Gilmour. He considers the missed opportunity to work with Gilmour at an Amnesty International concert as his one shot.
The Pink Floyd album tour was expected to last for a year, but unfortunately, Pratt missed the opportunity to be a part of it. However, Gilmour did not give up on him. After a holiday in Thailand, Pratt returned to find more messages from Gilmour, this time inviting him to join Pink Floyd for the tour.
Pratt agreed and found rehearsing with Gilmour interesting. In Gilmour's music, the length of the notes rather than the number of notes played is often more important. Every note in Gilmour's music counts, according to Pratt. There's no need for a sixteenth note on the bass in Gilmour's music, he added.
In the end, Pratt's career with Pink Floyd was not limited to just the tour. Gilmour contacted him about joining the band for a new album, but by then, Gilmour had already recruited someone else for the Amnesty International concert.
Despite this missed opportunity, Pratt's career continues to thrive. He has recently discussed working on hits such as Madonna's Like a Prayer and Michael Jackson's Earth Song with Bass Player magazine. The music industry is fortunate to have such a dedicated and talented musician like Guy Pratt.
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- Guy Pratt, an accomplished bassist, discovered a shared interest with David Gilmour in crafting prolonged, impactful notes during their collaborations, preferring the length of the notes over the number, as evident in Gilmour's guitar technique.
- In Gilmour's recordings, each note played on the guitar, amplified by an amp, carries significant weight, as Pratt explains, making the use of multiple short notes in pedal effects less fitting in his style of music.
- The long-standing partnership between David Gilmour and Guy Pratt, spanning over four decades and various musical ventures, continues to leave an indelible mark on the music and entertainment industry.
