VA – Animals Reimagined – A Tribute To Pink Floyd (2021)

Cleopatra Records is doing a lovely campaign this 2021: tribute recordings of Pink Floyd classic albums performed in it’s entirety.
Following the successful ‘Still Wish You Were Here’ tribute project, another gathering of classic, prog and hard rock superstars join to reimagine Pink Floyd’s ambitious 1977 album ”Animals”.
“Animals Reimagined – A Tribute To Pink Floyd“, coming November 19, 2021, from Cleopatra Records, features such stars as Yes’ Rick Wakeman, Graham Bonnet, Vinnie Moore (UFO), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Pat Mastelotto (Mr Mister, King Crimson), Carmine Appice, Joe Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew) and many more.
Fusing the guitar work of David Gilmour with Roger Water’s lyrics, ‘Animals’ is widely hailed as one of the group’s most highly conceptual and uncompromising albums of their career, and certainly set the template for the commercial breakthrough that would come two years later with 1979’s The Wall.
On this tribute, each track has been completely reimagined with modern production flourishes and tasteful musical additions while staying true to the original album’s heady and subtly complex compositions.

Indeed, there’s a much more ‘rockin’ pulse’ on the songs recorded here, I wouldn’t say hard rocking but at places very close. ‘Dogs’ pretty much fits into this category, accented by Graham Bonnet’s raspy vocals. On the other hand, ‘Pigs On A Wing 2’ is quite faithful to the original, with Jon Davison (lead singer for Yes) shining on vocals.

‘Pigs (Three Different Ones)’ is a highlight, thanks to the incredible personnel including Al Di Meola superb guitar licks, James LaBrie precise vocals, Joe Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues) & Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
As happened with ‘Still Wish You Were Here’ tribute, ”Animals Reimagined – A Tribute To Pink Floyd” really nailed the spirit of these songs adding a colorful melodic approach.
One of the best tribute albums in recent time.
Highly Recommended

1. Pigs On A Wing 1
Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew) & Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)

2. Dogs
Graham Bonnet, Vinnie Moore (UFO), Kasim Sulton (Utopia), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) & Pat Mastelotto (Mr Mister, King Crimson)

3. Pigs (Three Different Ones)
James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Al Di Meola, Joe Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues) & Billy Cobham (Mahavishnu Orchestra)

4. Sheep
Arthur Brown, Rick Wakeman (Yes), Jan Akkerman (Focus), David J. (Bauhaus) & Carmine Appice (Cactus/Vanilla Fudge)

5. Pigs On A Wing 2
Jon Davison (lead vocalist for Yes), Albert Lee, Billy Sherwood (Yes)

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