Customer Reviews

An Introduction to Syd Barrett

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been looking forward to this new set for a while now, even though I've had all of Syd's 3 solo albums and his work with the Floyd. This whole package is very well done, with great new artwork from the studio of long-time Pink Floyd artwork designer, Storm Thorgerson. The insert includes all of the lyrics and some fun artwork. There's a nice photo of Syd with his cat and an acoustic guitar. It's a nicely designed package.

As for the track selection, I think it makes for a nice playlist. I believe it does well to cover all of the tracks which would have to be on such a compilation. The new remasters sound really great and the 5 tracks that are newly mixed, or re-mixed, are relatively subtle enhancements which tend to make the tracks sound fresh and a bit more vibrant. I am personally quite glad for the bit of variety to go alongside the older masters and original mixes.

The download to "Rhamadan" is also going to be a real treat for hardcore Barrett fans. I'm just getting into it, but it is really trippy and groove oriented, but with lots of playful weirdness. I had read that the track was pretty much a sprawling shambles, but it sounds to me fairly structured... for the most part. But this is the kind of rarity that I think so many Floyd fans, like myself, wishes there were more of to be unearthed. If you like the extended, Interstellar style jams of the early Floyd, you will likely be up for the journey of listening to "Rhamadan" (though it is nowhere near the classic of a track like Interstellar Overdrive itself.)

My only complaint, I suppose, is that this would have made a great chance to officially release "Vegetable Man." Ah well...

We could talk all day about what tracks should or should not have been included in this collection which is intended to introduce someone to the masterful work of a sick genius. I like many others need no introduction as I'm a die-hard Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett fan. I got this package to see what the new mixes would sound like especially the version of Matilda Mother included here.

The first thing I did was rip the entire contents to the hard drive to examine the wave file format in audio editing software. Thankfully none of these songs have been "brickwalled." It has not fallen prey to the loudness war. This was surprising and very good news. The 2010 mixes sound excellent and I'm picking up detail I haven't heard since the original vinyl releases or the 2007 remaster of Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Bravo to all involved in the creation of this sonic masterpiece. One can only hope Gilmour will go back and remaster the rest of Syd's materiel using the same standards and release it soon.

More on the loudness war for those not in the know.

[...]

Just finished listening to the Bob Dylan Blues. (Lennon must have loved that one.)

Not only are the songs well mastered, but when you read that Apples and Oranges is being presented in it's "Stereo Version" you get the feeling that David Gilmour was careful in not only selecting the best nuggets to fill a disc, but making sure you get the best format for the earlier stuff, where there is a choice which is not insignificant.

So it really comes down to how much you like Syd Barrett. If you're new to it, don't think twice, this is brilliant mad stuff. Even if you're a long time fan, you would be hard pressed to come up with a better CD for regular rotation.

OK KIDS, HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE EXTRA TRACK

Put the disc into your computer. And then click:

[...]

They will ask you for some pushy info, and then let you download your mp3

What can i Say if you love Pink Floyd... and are a huge fan.. this is for you.. This is a Great album a Great psychedelic Journey..all the tracks Sound Amazing it is Cleaned up Really well.. And great low end as well for some of the tracks that never had a good low end..now it sounds really good..soo if your wondering about getting this album? you should you won't regret it.

I enjoyed this compilation. One of the most stunning tracks on the CD is the 2010 Re-Mix of a Piper At The Gates Of dawn track 'Matilda Mother' which not only sounds brilliant it has an extended ending not previously heard which is absolutely brilliant.

This track alone really wets my appetite for a full Re-Mix of these classic early Pink Floyd albums, what other hidden gems may there be in the vaults?

A very well produced and compiled CD. I encourage anyone who loves good music to buy this.

The new Syd Barrett compilaton called An Introduction to Syd Barrett is a great compilation for all Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett fans alike and a great starter point to casual fans who didn't know much about the Pink Floyd co-founder's solo career and career with pink Floyd.

At first, when I heard of this compilation coming out, I said "not another compilation". However, when I heard that Syd's best friend and (briefly) bandmate in Pink Floyd David Gilmour was serving as executive producer of this compilation and was overseeing the remixing and remastering on this compilation and adding the fabled instrumental recorded in 1968 "Rhamadan" would be finally be officially released (as a free download with the CD nevertheless), I said let's go for it. As a matter of fact, five of the tracks on here are new 2010 mixes and will be marked with a star*.

From the Syd Barrett led incarnation of Pink Floyd, we are represented by the band's first three A-side singles from 1967 which are "Arnold Layne", "See Emily Play" and "Apples and Oranges" (this time in its stereo mix which was first released on CD in 2007 on the 3-CD box set version of Pink Floyd's debut album The Piper At the Gates of Dawn 40th anniversary). Next is an alternate version of "Matilda Mother"* which is given the remix treatment done well by David Gilmour and company. Then we continue with two more excellent tracks from the classic first Pink Floyd album out of my favorite on the disc "Chapter 24" and of course "Bike".

Then we go to his first solo album from 1970 called The Madcap Laughs and is represented by "Terrapin", "Love You", "Dark Globe" and "If It's In You". Three of the tracks from that debut are given 2010 mixes which are "Here I Go"* (which also has a new bass guitar track added from David Gilmour himself for this compilation and adds a nice bass guitar riff which the song so needed), "Octopus" (with the false intro which is great to hear)* and "She Took a Long Cool Look"* (originally titled "She Took a Long Cold Look At Me").

Then we go to Syd's second (and last of original material) solo album Barrett also from 1970 which is represented by "Baby Lemonade", a 2010 remix of "Dominoes"*, "Gigolo Aunt" and "Effervescent Elephant" (all of which are great choices in my view to represent Barrett).

We close the CD with "Bob Dylan Blues" which was released on the 2001 Syd compilation Wouldn't You Miss Me. As a bonus, there is the long fabled 1968 instrumental "Rhamadan" which is available as a free download which is a great improvisational 20 minute jam session. It would have been on CD but since they hold 80 minutes, it wouldn't fit.

Overall, An Introduction to Syd Barrett is a SOLID RECOMMENDATION!

Also, the cover art was done by longtime Pink Floyd album cover designer Storm Thorgerson.

No doubt Syd Barrett was a brilliant, one-of-a-kind musician. During Pink Floyd's earliest years, when Barrett wrote most of the tunes, they made some truly magical music. Their debut album, released in 1967, represents the zenith of Barrett's output so I recommend picking that one up first if you're a newbe. Assuming PIPER wins you over (and it should!), then by all means go ahead and explore his solo work if you're so inclined.

To my mind, THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN is the all-time quintessential pyschedelic album. The Beatles' SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND, also released in '67, usually takes most of the credit, but in terms of pure psychedelia PIPER makes PEPPER look like child's play. Every song on PIPER is mind-blowingly good, a real trip, and much of it rocks harder than PEPPER too, although it's also often whimsical and occasionally rather twee as well (but certainly not in a bad way as I see it!). The album oozes creativity. If you're familiar with the more widely known side of Pink Floyd (DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, THE WALL) but not their early stuff, definitely do yourself a favor and check it out. The Syd Barrett version is almost like a completely different band from what they would later become.

As for this release, I agree with those who feel the public would be far better served by a compilation of remastered rarities, many of which are excellent. However, this collection DOES sound great and the 2010 remixes are worth having for the Floyd fan who doesn't have to deal with a tight budget. It's also cool that the CD booklet contains the lyrics to each song and the artwork is pretty cool too. Of particular note is an alternate version of the PIPER track "Matilda Mother" which features different lyrics and some different instrumentation as well as a 2010 remix. Unfortunately, PIPER is only represented by two other tracks (no matter - you need the whole album!). Also it's great that Pink Floyd's first three singles are here (which were released before PIPER and on par with everything from that album) but the B-sides are fantastic and glaringly absent.

Regarding the solo Barrett material (beginning with track 7), I certainly relate to those who relish these songs but personally I don't think they measure up to Syd's work with Pink Floyd. His solo stuff tends to be rather sparse and less focused. The music is still highly original and a true delight for Barrett fans but I find the quality of the songs falls short compared to his work with Pink Floyd. I would even dare say it crosses the line from quirky to grating on occasion. If it's the solo work you're interested in sampling, you're better off getting THE BEST OF SYD BARRETT: WOULDN'T YOU MISS ME? which has more songs and arguably a better song selection.

Of course, there's something here to hook the rabid Barrett fan: the download of "Rhamadan," a 20-minute jam which can be accessed with the purchase of this CD. If such things appeal to you, this track is well worth having. It's meandering, hypnotic and quite trippy in places.

I have a hard time envisioning a world without the music of Syd Barrett. It is so utterly strange and yet somehow logical on some other plane, and essential to any pop music lover's listening experiencing. Many have tried to copy him; no one has succeeded.

I was listening to "The Piper at The Gates of Dawn - 30th Anniversary Box Set (Mono)" this morning - the one Pink Floyd album dominated by Syd's writings - and it really hit me. This must have been the oddest thing ever heard back in 1967. Sure there was psychedelia by then, but this stuff is really, really OUT THERE - and yet makes perfect sense, hits the right buttons, and seems to have staying power.

For longtime fans, here's what you need to know: Matilda Mother is here in a version that this longtime Floyd fan has never heard, but it's similar to the Piper version. Bob Dylan Blues has been released once before, on another Syd compilation. Apples and Oranges is a single that has seen legitimate CD release on the CD "The Early Singles" from the mammoth Floyd box set. Everything else has been released and available on Piper or on one of Syd's 3 solo albums.

The CD is great but I have not found out yet where to get the free download track promoted on both the Pink Floyd and David Gilmour websites and emails. Amazon customer service has been absolutely useless in helping with this and deny all knowledge even though they are listed as the sellers (along with iTunes) on the artist websites

I knew little of Syd Barrett's sound beyond the early Pink Floyd, but I did lose most interest in Floyd

after he left them. This is a terrific overview of his

Floyd and his solo work, but it does give me incentive

to look for the entire discography. As an appetizer, it's terrific. I'd gladly sample the other courses as well.