The most iconic, recognizable record cover in the history of EVER. Pretty much everything that could be written about this album has been written and is common knowledge for any music buff worth their salt. This post, therefore, is my personal memory of my copy of the album when it was all new in the early 70's.
Apart from my Norton 750 Commando Fastback, by 1974 I had 3 items that were the pride of my possessions. The first was a JVC 4VR-5436 Fm-Am 4 Channel Stereo Receiver. The '4 Channel' part was because this brute of a machine was capable of quadraphonic output. In laymans terms that meant that with the right turntable, stylus, cartridge and album, you got the 1974 equivalent of today's 'surround sound' systems.
For an audiophile like me it satisfied my desire to control sound. It sat resplendent with 19 switches and buttons on the front console to control speakers, mode, source, filters, balance, with signal and tuning meters, stylish green tinted wavelength display and discrete function lights. For me it wasn't only a technical marvel, it was a piece of art, an aesthetic delight and a beautiful statement. To illustrate it's function as a 4 channel amp the console had not only individual rear speakers controls but dual inputs for, believe it or not, 4 channel headphones. I had a pair. Two speakers in each side, sound distribution between front and rear, immersive and addictive.
The second item in my arsenal of equipment was a Bang & Olufsen 3000 Beogram turntable. This was a futuristic elegant masterpiece from a maker of great repute. Beautifully crafted weighted tone arm that looked to be styled after the nose of the Concord Supersonic Jet. A single selector/button to choose the size of the record you were about to place on the platter, press the button and the player selected the speed and lowered the pick-up to the groove. A teak case and clear hinged lid that could be angled or removed. Minimalistic elegance and perfection in performance.
Last but not least, in all it's glory was my Quadraphonic release of this brilliant album.
It was only fitting that I had the quad version of this LP. Pink Floyd, as early as 1967, gave the first ever surround sound live concert at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The control device is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Hook up the 4 speakers or plug in the quad headphones, set the amp source, select the mode, adjust the volume, balance and 5 sliding equalizers to taste, position the tone arm, press the turntable play button and prepare to experience the most unique sound the 70's ever produced.
'Dark Side of the Moon' had never sounded like this before. The original quad mix was done by Alan Parsons and although primitive and rough around the edges, there was nothing to compare. Footsteps running, clocks ticking and chiming and swirling, disembodied voices telling you they were 'not frightened of dying' and music coming from all corners and all around.
It wasn't until 2003 when SACD technology allowed a 5.1 surround mix to be produced by James Guthrie and later re-issued in 2010 on Blu-ray that a cleaner crisper version became available, but even then, the memory of my 1974 experience can never be lessened.
Quad LP's were a passing fad, a little like VHS and Betamax for video tapes. There were competing quad formats (e.g. CD-4, SQ, EV-4 etc) but unlike video tape, when the dust settled, nobody won.
Although the copy that Tracy has is the standard stereo version, it contains something mine did not. Inside, perfectly preserved and unmounted is the infrared photo poster of The Great Pyramids of Giza and the uncut Day/Night stickers.
With worldwide sales of over 45,000,000 and an amazing 950 weeks on the Billboard Charts this album could be, should be and in fact MUST be in any collection. In any format, SQ Quad, vinyl, CD, tape, 8-track, 5.1 or digital it is not just music, it is an experience.
If you haven't listened for a while, treat yourself. Listen now.
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