Delicate Sound of Thunder 2020 Reissue vs. Original: What the 5.1 Mix and Full Concert Add

The 2020 reissue of Delicate Sound of Thunder is less a remaster and more a complete rebuild — the original 1988 album was a heavily edited single-disc set that compressed an entire tour into highlights. The new version doubles the tracklist, restores the full concert sequence, and, most importantly, gives David Gilmour the chance to remix the live recordings from the original multi-tracks, fixing the thin, compressed sound of the ’80s vinyl.

The 5.1 surround mix on the Blu-ray is where the reissue justifies itself. James Guthrie’s immersive mix places you inside the A Momentary Lapse of Reason tour’s massive PA — synth pads swirl behind you, the bass drum hits your chest, and the backing vocals from Rachel Fury and Durga McBroom separate into distinct corners. It’s not just a novelty; it reveals layers buried under the original’s dry stereo mix, especially on “Sorrow” and “One Slip.”

If you already have the original CD, the stereo remix alone is worth it for the punchier low-end and restored audience ambience. But the 5.1 mix turns a good live album into a reference-grade concert experience. Essential? Only if you have the system to do it justice — but for Pink Floyd fans who want to feel the 1988 tour for the first time, it’s the definitive version.