November 25, 2024

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

DREAM THEATER’S JAMES LABRIE Voices The Role Of Evil Record Executive On New Version Of PINK FLOYD’s “HAVE A CIGAR”!

One of the most iconic characters ever created in song – the smarmy, nefarious record executive dreamt up by Roger Waters for Pink Floyd’s 1975 single “Have A Cigar,” who infamously asked “Which one’s Pink?” – is being brought to life in a whole new way, courtesy of the legendary voice of prog metal superstars Dream Theater, James LaBrie, and a spectacular new concept video from award-winning director Vicente Cordero of Industrialism Films. LaBrie’s superb rendition of the song, taken from the just released album Still Wish You Were Here – A Tribute To Pink Floyd, gives the lyrics a far more sinister edge than the original recording, as does the razor-sharp guitar work from Steve Stevens, which contrasts nicely with the laid-back rhythm section composed of The Damned’s Rat Scabies and Public Image Ltd.’s Jah Wobble and some supremely tasteful keyboard work from The Moody Blues’ Patrick Moraz. This fantastic new version of the song inspired the first-ever dramatic portrayal of this character, performed by seasoned character actor Noel Jason Scott for Cordero’s video, as a stylish Mephistopheles who casually tempts a young, naive musician into a malevolent Faustian bargain that grants him all the riches and rewards of rock superstardom before exacting a treacherous toll. 

Watch the video:https://youtu.be/dY6HTvgjzpE

LaBrie’s performance is a major highlight of Still Wish You Were Here but there is plenty more where that came from. The album also features awe-inspiring performances from a whole host of rock, metal & pop music legends such as keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, recent Rock Hall of Fame inductee Todd Rundgren, ex-Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate, guitar god Joe Satriani, Zombies/Argent vocalist Rod Argent, spacebass super genius Bootsy Collins, and lots more! Still Wish You Were Here is available on both CD in a beautiful 6-panel deluxe digipak and a stunningly gorgeous gatefold vinyl in a variety of colors!

Order the album:https://orcd.co/still_wish_you_were

Track List:

  1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5) – Geoff Tate, Steve Hackett, Billy Sheehan, Mel Collins, Geoff Downes, Ian Paice
  2. Welcome To The Machine – Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman, Tony Levin
  3. Have A Cigar – James LaBrie, Steve Stevens, Patrick Moraz, Rat Scabies, Jah Wobble
  4. Wish You Were Here – Rik Emmett, Joe Satriani, Edgar Froese, David Ellefson, Carmine Appice
  5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9) – Rod Argent, Steve Hillage, Ian Paice, Bootsy Collins

    Article photo: Carlos Delgado