Search - Syd Barrett :: Best of Syd Barrett: Wouldn't You Miss Me

If one needs one Syd Barrett album, this is the one

Terrence J. Reardon | Lake Worth (a west Palm Beach suburb), FL | 09/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Original founding Pink Floyd guitarist, singer and main songwriter Syd Barrett passed away on July 7, 2006 at the age of 60.

It was seven years ago on September 11, 2001 (a dark day in US history) that a Syd Barrett compilation was released here in the States called Wouldn't You Miss Me: The Best of Syd Barrett.

The title, in retrospect, has been said "YES" to that as he was the man who created Pink Floyd and many who loved the band with him, like David Bowie and Alice Cooper and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, even attest to this.

This compilation takes the best of Syd's two albums he released after his departure The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, both released in 1970, and some songs from his 1988 rarities set Opel and a few unreleased gems make this compilation.

The songs that represent The Madcap Laughs on here are "Octopus" (originally titled Clowns and Jugglers), "Late Night", "Terrapin" (which Syd's closest friend and eventual successor in Pink Floyd David Gilmour has played at his 2001 Meltdown semi-unplugged Royal Festival Hall concert), "Golden Hair", "Here I Go", "Long Gone" and "No Good Trying". The choices are well picked from Madcap.

Syd's second and final properly recorded album Barrett is represented by "Wolfpack", "Baby Lemonade", "Love Song", "Dominoes" (which Syd's closest friend and eventual successor in Pink Floyd David Gilmour has played in solo shows in recent years and versions appear on his Remember That Night DVD and newest 3-CD/2-DVD set Live in Gdansk), "Gigolo Aunt", "Wined And Dined", "Effervescing Elephant", "Waving My Arms In The Air" and "I Never Lied To You". All great songs I may add.

The 1988 outtakes album Opel is represented by its classic title cut, "Swan Lee (Silas Lang)", "Wouldn't You Miss Me (Dark Globe)" (the best version of the song IMHO and Gilmour covered this song in concert on his 2006 European On an Island tour) and the closing instrumental version of "Golden Hair".

Then there are two rare tracks. First is "Two Of A Kind", which appeared on The Peel Sessions EP (which was out of print at the time and was not available in the US). Lastly was an outtake from the Barrett sessions called "Bob Dylan Blues" which David Gilmour had in his possession for years and put on the compilation.

The remastering of the old Barrett classics were excellent and the booklet gives us great insight into Pink Floyd's lost "crazy diamond".

Recommended!

R.I.P. Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett 1946-2006"

Best of Syd review - Shine on RKB!

Joseph Morris | Elmwood Park, NJ | 12/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kinda pointless to release a best of for an artist whose ouevre consists of a couple of solo albums (The Madcap Laughs & Barrett, both '69) but stick with me here



The only reason this was picked up by Syd fans was for the Barrett album outtake, Bob Dylan Blues, and its great. Pretty uproarious track, and it warrants inclusion on a best of



The sounds been remastered, with excellent liner notes (dig the lyrics for It is obvious being used - apparently they were included with the tape at EMI!)



Good pictures as well



"Living alone" (another unreleased track by Barrett) is mentioned in the liners, but does not appear on the album. WTF?



So, really, the only reason this album is out is cos of the new track



Most fans will already have the BBC tracks, those lucky fans will have Have you got it yet?



Did you know Gilmour was thinking about calling the recent Floyd set (of all their albums) Have you got it yet btw?



That was another pointless set - a great band, but do you really need to hear Atom Heart Mother again? I think not!



So a pointless collection. Still, if it had been an Ultimate collection (those tend to be 2 cd compilation) both the solo albums would've fit!



You can probably find Madcap Laughs & Barrett on one cd anyway. Just pick up those albums, cos this one isn't really worth it for a compilation cos the guy only released 2 solo albums while he was still functioning



The music, the musics great, but any compilation that leaves "Maisie" off is simply not to be trusted!"

Just A Sample Of Syd Barrett

pinkfloyd | annoymus countries | 07/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Syd Barrett as you was the founder of Pink Floyd and wrote most of the bands psychedlic masterpiece debut album, "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn", this album samples 22 of his greatest songs realesed during his short famed solo carrerr and is a musical adventure each and every time you listen to any of Syd Barretts songs or albums, all the songs on here are pretty simple but yet maintain a weirdness and psychedelic appeal to them which makes them facinating and interesting to listen too. Of course there's the people out there who think Barrett is underatted which is NOT TRUE I mean if it werent for Syd, Pink Floyd wouldnt be the same band they are today, he helped create that space sound they have, so if you loved The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn you'll also love the solo stuff he did, enjoy, and oh yeah did i say the songs on here are genius."