Barrett (album)

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Barrett
Barrett cover
Studio album by Syd Barrett
Released 14 November 1970
Recorded Abbey Road 26 February- 17 July 1970
Genre Rock, Psychedelic
Length 38:43 (Original vinyl)
56:12 (CD reissue)
Label Harvest/EMI
Capitol Records (U.S.)
Producer(s) David Gilmour and Richard Wright
Professional reviews
Syd Barrett chronology
The Madcap Laughs
(1970)		 Barrett
(1970)		 Syd Barrett
(1974)


Barrett was the second and final studio album of new material released by former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett. In February 1970, shortly after releasing his first album, The Madcap Laughs, Barrett appeared on John Peel's Top Gear radio show where he presented only one song from the newly released album. Two days later, he began working on his second album in the Abbey Road Studios, this time with Pink Floyd members David Gilmour and Rick Wright as producers and musicians.

The main aim for the Barrett sessions was to give Syd the structure and focus many felt was missing during the long and unwieldy sessions for The Madcap Laughs. Thus, the sessions were more efficiently run - with much unreleased material recorded - and the album was finished in far less time than it took to complete The Madcap Laughs. In addition, with the unpredictability and at times despairing nature of Madcap greatly decreased, the rigid format of the new sessions ended up giving Barrett a less inventive flavor, as a result.

Nonetheless, Barrett does indeed have some memorable songs, namely "Baby Lemonade", "Dominoes" and "Gigolo Aunt", all of which are as well known to Barrett fans as "See Emily Play" and "Astronomy Domine". Although not generally as highly regarded as The Madcap Laughs, Barrett - of which, the cover was painted by Syd himself - is still a much prized recording from its maker.

While the sessions for Barrett ran more smoothly, it didn't prevent Syd's by-now characteristically bizarre behavior from coming through. On June 6, 1970, Syd gave his one and only solo performance, backed by David Gilmour and Jerry Shirley, and baffled the audience (including Gilmour and Shirley) when he abruptly took off his guitar during the fourth number and walked off stage.

Barrett was released in November 1970 to less interest than had greeted The Madcap Laughs earlier in the year, and as a result, failed to chart. Bored and directionless, Barrett promptly headed back to his hometown of Cambridge and — but for a brief dalliance with a band called Stars in 1972, and some abortive recording sessions in 1974 — left his music career behind for good.

[edit] Track listing

All songs by Syd Barrett.

  1. "Baby Lemonade" – 4:07
    Take 1, Recorded 26 February 1970
  2. "Love Song" – 3:02
    Take 1, Recorded 17 July 1970, overdubs added 17 July
  3. "Dominoes" – 4:02
    Take 3, Recorded 14 July 1970
  4. "It Is Obvious" – 2:55
    Take 1, Recorded 17 July 1970, overdubs added 20 July
  5. "Rats" – 2:57
    Demo, Recorded 7 May 1970, overdubs added 5 June
  6. "Maisie" – 2:46
    Take 2, Recorded 26 February 1970
  7. "Gigolo Aunt" – 5:42
    Take 15, Recorded 27 February 1970, overdubs added 2 April 2
  8. "Waving My Arms In The Air" – 2:09
    Take 1, Recorded 27 February 1970, overdubs and new vocal track 2 April
  9. "I Never Lied To You" – 1:46
    Take 1, Recorded 27 February 1970, overdubs and new vocal track 2 April
  10. "Wined And Dined" – 2:54
    Take 10, Recorded 14 July 1970
  11. "Wolfpack" – 3:41
    Take 2, Recorded 3 April 1970
  12. "Effervescing Elephant" – 1:52
    Take 9, Recorded 14 July 1970,

In 1993, Barrett was reissued with several bonus tracks of alternative takes. See Crazy Diamond for track details.

[edit] Personnel


 v • d • e Syd Barrett
Studio Albums
The Madcap Laughs | Barrett | Opel | The Peel Sessions | The Radio One Sessions
Compilation albums
Syd Barrett | Crazy Diamond | Wouldn't You Miss Me?
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