Have you ever wondered if there are hidden gems in your favorite albums that you might have missed? Well, Pink Floyd’s 1977 album Animals has one such treasure tucked away—a guitar solo by Snowy White. This solo, however, went unheard by most fans until the internet revived it. Let’s delve into the fascinating story of how this solo came to be and how you can listen to it today.
The Enigma of the 8-Track Edition
Snowy White’s contribution to “Pigs on the Wing” appeared exclusively on the 8-track edition of Pink Floyd’s Animals. For those unfamiliar with this format, the 8-track tape (formally known as Stereo 8) gained popularity in the automobile world due to its looped tape design. Unlike other formats, there was no need to flip between sides or manually restart the album—it just kept playing. However, the 8-track format had its limitations.
Unveiling the Limitations
The fixed length of the four stereo tracks in the 8-track format posed a challenge. Songs often had to be cut in the middle since it wasn’t possible to adjust the track length. To mitigate this issue, artists like Pink Floyd had to fade out a song on one track and fade it back in on the next, rewinding the tape a few seconds to avoid missing any music. Additionally, the fixed length of the tracks sometimes required rearranging the order of songs, which was far from ideal for bands focused on the album format.
Pink Floyd’s Unique Approach
To overcome these hurdles, Pink Floyd devised their own solution. While they split “Dogs” into two parts on the 8-track version, they took a different approach with “Pigs on the Wing (Part One)” and “Pigs on the Wing (Part Two),” the opening and closing tracks of the standard edition. Instead of splitting them, Pink Floyd decided to seamlessly stitch the tracks together as one long song at the beginning of the 8-track version, giving it a unique twist.
Discovering the Mythical Solo
Now that we’ve explored the background, let’s uncover the mythical guitar solo that Snowy White contributed to the 8-track version of “Pigs on the Wing.” After accidentally erasing one of David Gilmour’s takes, Pink Floyd turned to White to bridge the two parts of the song with a solo. White’s solo, recorded on the spot, has since taken on legendary status among Pink Floyd fans. It even became the only commercially unavailable piece of music officially released by the band as they continued to reissue their catalog.
The Spontaneous Creation
The story behind White’s solo is nothing short of serendipitous. Pink Floyd invited White to the studio and offered him a position in their touring band without even hearing him play. It was a leap of faith. Then, as fate would have it, Roger Waters decided to put his skills to the test.
“We went back into the control room, and as I’m passing Roger, he said, ‘Hey, while you’re here, you might as well play something. Why don’t you play a solo in the middle of this track?'” recalled White. “That track happened to be ‘Pigs on the Wing.'”
With nothing but a guitar in hand, White quickly ran through the solo in a quiet manner. Little did he know that what he played in that first take would be the final solo. It was a stroke of luck, a moment of spontaneity that captured the essence of the song.
FAQs
Q: Can I listen to Pink Floyd’s 8-Track Version of ‘Pigs on the Wing’ online?
A: Yes, you can! With the internet bringing lost treasures back to life, you can now experience Pink Floyd’s 8-track version of “Pigs on the Wing” and immerse yourself in Snowy White’s mythical guitar solo.
Q: How does the guitar solo enhance the song?
A: Snowy White’s solo adds a new layer of emotion and depth to the already captivating “Pigs on the Wing.” It seamlessly connects the two parts of the song and showcases White’s exceptional guitar skills.
Q: Are there any other hidden gems in Pink Floyd’s discography?
A: Pink Floyd’s discography is rife with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Exploring their albums further might reveal more surprises, breathtaking solos, and musical masterpieces.
Conclusion
Pink Floyd’s “Animals” holds a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide, and the 8-track edition adds an extra layer of intrigue. Snowy White’s guitar solo is a testament to the band’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating memorable music. Thanks to the power of the internet, this long-lost solo is now accessible, allowing us to delve deeper into the sonic journey of Pink Floyd’s iconic album.
So, go ahead, press play, and immerse yourself in the magic of Pink Floyd’s “Animals” and the mesmerizing guitar solo that almost slipped through the cracks.
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