Watch: Pink Floyd Begin Recording ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ in Third Preview of ‘Pompeii’ Remaster
Photo courtesy of Sony Music
In one week, Pink Floyd will return to one of their most memorable moments with a re-release of the iconic Live at Pompeii concert film. Set to arrive in select global cinemas and IMAX screens on April 24 via Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision, the distinctive 1972 performance, framed by ancient ruins, has been meticulously restored and will be coupled with a live album release.
Boosting anticipation for the monumental undertaking, the band have offered up a third preview video: the first look at the behind-the-scenes documentary footage that has been paired with the original film. These passages, captured just after the landmark recording, provide an unprecedented look at a revolution in Pink Floyd’s sound and creative process. In this two-minute advance dispatch, the bandmates explore the capacities of new synthesizers and recording devices while taking the first steps towards Dark Side of the Moon.
Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII communicates the power of the iconic film like never before. The legendary prog pioneers’ performance to an empty ancient Roman amphitheatre preserves a pivotal moment before their Roger Waters-helmed heyday and sat forgotten in their archives for more than 50 years after its celebrated release. With the revelation of the original 35mm negative reels, a team led by Pink Floyd’s Director of Restoration Lana Topham set about carefully scanning in 4K and artfully repairing the treasured film frame by frame, emphasizing its natural beauty with color enhancements without sacrificing grain.
“Since 1994, I have searched for the elusive film rushes of Pink Floyd At Pompeii, so the recent discovery of the 1972 original 35mm cut negative was a very special moment,” Topham detailed in a statement. “The newly restored version presents the first full 90-minute cut, combining the 60-minute source edit of the performance with the additional Abbey Road Studios documentary segments filmed shortly after.”
The restoration team’s endeavor is complemented by audio enhancements by artist and producer Steven Wilson, who lent his expertise to immersive theatrical and home entertainment mixes in 5.1 and Dolby Atmos. Wilson’s remaster leverages the power of current technologies to present the band’s original vision with new clarity, bringing up the cracks and vintage warmth in their red-hot sound instead of evenly plastering over their character. Wilson’s reverent mix will be available as a full-length live album on May 2, bringing Pink Floyd’s Pompeii concert to vinyl for the first time ever, as well as CD, Blu-Ray, digital audio and Dolby Atmos formats. The project is available to pre-order now.
Tickets for the theatrical revival of Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII are on sale now. For more information, visit pinkfloyd.film.
Read on for the live album’s full tracklist.
Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII – Pink Floyd:
Side A:
1. Pompeii Intro
2. Echoes – Part 1
3. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
Side B:
1. A Saucerful of Secrets
2. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
Side C:
1. One of These Days
2. Mademoiselle Nobs
2. Echoes – Part 2
Side D:
1. Careful With that Axe, Eugene – Alternate take
2. A Saucerful of Secrets – Unedited
