So, so you think you can tell, when you've heard enough of a song? Well I encourage you to give this version another spin. It is an original recording of "Wish You Were Here" from 1976 and it is totally different than the released version. What makes it particularly amazing is the violin solo improvised by the legendary Stepane Grappelli, who just happened to be recording in the next studio, invited in by the Floyd for an impromptu take. To give you some background Grappelli played with guitarist Django Reinhardt as far back as the 1930's when jazz music was in it's infancy (more on him to come).
Unfortunately this is another recording which didn't see the light of day until (as far as I know) the recent release of the Experience box set, some 35 odd years later. This version is heart-wrenching, but it must not have fit with what Pinky and the Floyd were going for on this album. The 68-year-old Grappelli had not even heard the song (and probably the band) before, yet his performance is absolutely gripping. Just another magnificent crossroads of musicians.
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