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Syd Barrett - Crazy Diamond (3CD Box Set)

A three-CD box set that enshrines Barrett's complete recorded legacy as a solo artist. Besides including his two 1970 albums, this collection includes the 1989 compilation of unreleased material, Opel. The chief attraction of this set for Barrett fans is no less than 19 previously unreleased alternate takes from throughout his quite brief solo career. All of those alternate takes, it's important to note, are alternate versions of songs that appear on the three previously available albums; no entirely unheard compositions were unearthed. Nonetheless, these alternate takes are more interesting listening than you might expect, for a couple of reasons. First, Barrett was so mercurial (and occasionally unfocused) in the studio that it was difficult to get him to play a song the same way twice. Second, the alternate takes are usually starker and more acoustic in nature than the official versions; they're not better, but have interesting different slants. With some of the songs repeated two, three, or even four times, this is definitely for the hardcore fan. But it's a beautifully produced document, with a meticulously detailed booklet, of a uniquely primitive visionary, and has many moments of charming and chilling power. It includes everything salvageable that he produced, with the exception of the Peel Sessions. It doesn't match his work with the original Pink Floyd, but the music continues to influence and be emulated (most notably by Robyn Hitchcock), though never equaled. ~ Richie Unterberger No longer available in the U.S., this is the Pink Floyd co-founder/ former member's 1993 box set on EMI. Features both of his 1970 solo albums, 'Barrett' & 'The Madcap Laughs', plus the 1989 rarities compilation 'Opel' with six bonus tracks added to it. 58 tracks total. Comes packaged in the original full color 6 inch x 12 inch longbox & also contains a 24 page booklet. 1993 release. Includes a 24-page booklet. Personnel: Syd Barrett (vocals, guitar, electric guitar). Audio Mixers: Phil Smee; Gareth Cousins; Brian Hogg. Liner Note Author: Brian Hogg. Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England (05/04/1969-08/14/1970). Illustrator: Angela Rogers. 


Disc 1. The Madcap Laughs

 Tracks 14-19: Bonus tracks

 01. Terrapin [05:02]
 02. No Good Trying [03:22]
 03. Love You [02:25]
 04. No Man’s Land [02:59]
 05. Dark Globe [01:58]
 06. Here I Go [03:09]
 07. Octopus [03:43]
 08. Golden Hair [01:56]
 09. Long Gone [02:46]
 10. She Took a Long Cold Look [01:55]
 11. Feel [02:17]
 12. If It’s in You [02:22]
 13. Late Night [03:10]
 14. Octopus (Takes 1 & 2 – Bonus Track) [03:09]
 15. It’s No Good Trying (Take 5 – Bonus Track) [06:22]
 16. Love You (Take 1- Bonus Track) [02:28]
 17. Love You (Take 3 – Bonus Track) [02:11]
 18. She Took a Long Cold Look at Me (Take 4 – Bonus Track) [02:44]
 19. Golden Hair (Take 5 – Bonus Track) [02:28]

Disc 2. Barrett

 Tracks 13-19: Bonus tracks

 01. Baby Lemonade [04:06]
 02. Love Song [02:59]
 03. Dominoes [04:03]
 04. It Is Obvious [02:54]
 05. Rats [02:54]
 06. Maisie [02:46]
 07. Gigolo Aunt [05:42]
 08. Waving My Arms In The Air [02:07]
 09. I Never Lied To You [01:47]
 10. Wined And Dined [02:53]
 11. Wolfpack [03:41]
 12. Effervescing Elephant [01:50]
 13. Baby Lemonade (Take 1 – Bonus Track) [03:46]
 14. Waving My Arms In The Air (Take 1 – Bonus Track) [02:13]
 15. I Never Lied To You (Take 1 – Bonus Track) [01:48]
 16. Love Song (Take 1 – Bonus Track) [02:32]
 17. Dominoes (Take 1 – Bonus Track) [00:40]
 18. Dominoes (Take 2 – Bonus Track) [02:36]
 19. It Is Obvious (Take 2 – Bonus Track) [03:51]

Disc 3. Opel

 Tracks 15-20: Bonus tracks

 01. Opel [06:24]
 02. Clowns And Jugglers [03:26]
 03. Rats [03:10]
 04. Golden Hair [01:42]
 05. Dolly Rocker [02:59]
 06. Word Song [03:18]
 07. Wined And Dined [03:01]
 08. Swan Lee (Silas Lang) [03:11]
 09. Birdie Hop [02:27]
 10. Let’s Split [02:21]
 11. Lanky (Part 1) [05:30]
 12. Wouldn’t You Miss Me (Dark Globe) [02:57]
 13. Milky Way [03:05]
 14. Golden Hair [01:50]
 15. Gigolo Aunt (Take 9 – Bonus Track) [04:02]
 16. It Is Obvious (Take 3 – Bonus Track) [03:44]
 17. It Is Obvious (Take 5 – Bonus Track) [03:06]
 18. Clowns and Jugglers (Take 1 – Bonus Track) [03:33]
 19. Late Night (Take 2 – Bonus Track) [03:19]
 20. Effervescing Elephant (Take 2 – Bonus Track) [01:28]

Personnel:

 Syd Barrett – Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals, Producer
 Tim Chacksfield – Project Coordinator
 David Gilmour – Producer
 Brian Hogg – Liner Notes, Compilation, Mixing, Compilation Supervisor, Remix Supervision
 Peter Jenner – Producer
 Malcolm Jones – Producer
 Angela Rogers – Illustrations
 Phil Smee – Compilation, Mixing, Package Design, Compilation Supervisor, Remix Supervision
 Roger Waters – Producer
 Richard Wright – Producer and Keyboards