Album Listening Session: Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon

“The Dark Side of the Moon” is not just an iconic album but also a milestone in sound production. Mixed in just seven days at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, the record is a masterpiece of experimentation and technical perfection. Alan Parsons, the sound engineer, was only 24 years old when he worked on the album, bringing a freshness and boldness that would define the final outcome.

The album is filled with curiosities and details that make it an endless treasure trove of anecdotes. For example, the voice of Abbey Road’s doorman, Gerry O’Driscoll, was immortalized in the iconic phrase: “There is no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact, it’s all dark.” Additionally, the laughs in “Brain Damage” belong to Peter Watts, the band’s road manager and father of actress Naomi Watts, and the eerie laughter heard throughout the album is entirely real, recorded by Alan Parsons himself.

Regarding instrumentation, Richard Wright used a modified Hammond B3 organ for some parts of the album, and David Gilmour recorded the guitar for “Time” in a single take, demonstrating the band’s incredible skill and connection in the studio. Details like these build the mystique of a record that continues to surprise with each listen.

The editions and reissues of “The Dark Side of the Moon” are also part of its legacy. From colored vinyl released in 1978 in the Netherlands (white) and France (blue) to the 1974 German quadraphonic edition, considered one of the best mixes, the album has had over 1,412 official versions in different countries. Among the most sought-after are the gold-plated CD from Mobile Fidelity, the high-quality Japanese vinyl, and the 50th-anniversary commemorative edition of 2023, which includes a Dolby Atmos mix. This last one is the version we will have the pleasure of listening to.

The cultural impact of this album is equally undeniable. “Money” has been used in over 50 movies and commercials, and songs like “Us and Them” and “Time” have appeared in films such as “Zombieland” and “Doctor Strange,” respectively. It has even reached space: in 2011, an astronaut took a copy of the record to the International Space Station.

For those who come to Artlab this Wednesday, the experience will be much more than a simple listening session. It will be an opportunity to rediscover a classic in its highest sound quality, appreciating every detail and texture thanks to the Altec A7 The Voice of the Theatre. With Maitena Aboitiz’s guidance, we will delve into the stories, sounds, and legacy of an album that, 52 years after its release, continues to illuminate the darkness.

Reserve your free tickets here.