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Customer Reviews (3)

The best, and hopefully last book about Syd.
How do you write about a man who was never here, or should I say he was here for such a short period of time what is left to write? Syd Barrett as we remember him, the guiding light behind the early Pink Floyd, was like a flash of lightening just visible out of the corner of your eye. Did you really see it, or was it something you imagined? The sad fact is we will never know who Syd/Roger was. The former personality exploded in a brilliant flash of talent and just as quickly died out, morphing into the later in order to survive the pain caused by it all.

If you want to read a book about Syd, this is the one to read. The author does not exploit Syd's mental state, nor play on all the myths that grew around it. It is as honest a book as we will likely ever see, and I hope it is the last. His family and friends cooperated, so at this point I see nothing left to write about. The life of Syd Barrett makes for a very depressing read, and you will feel the sadness when you close this book.

overrated
I purchased this book, based on the hype that Chapman would let us all know what really happened to Barrett & how he spent his post-Floyd decades. Chapman suggests that Barrett's family provides never before published insight & thus lends supreme credibility to his book. The few contributions provided by sister Rosemary & nephew Ian did not provide any new information one could not easily find online from previous sources.

The book was an uninteresting read, supplimented with long, unrelated details about minor players in Barrett's life that added nothing of value. Ironically Chapman did not see fit to include any updates on or from Lindsey Corner or Gayla Pinion-which would have been very interesting to this reader. Chapman did include multiple comments from Libby Gausden, however Libby has always been very forthcoming about her relationship with Barrett, so again, little new info was provided that one couldn't find elsewhere or online.

I also didn't like Chapman's writing style in that he starts off chronlogically, then fast forwards, then travels back into time, & then again fast forwards.

Chapman finally gets around to discussing the "after Floyd" decades of Barrett's life in the final chapter, about 50 pages from the end of the book. This 'insight' tells the Barret fan nothing new, except possibly the specific details about the items in the auctioned lots of Barrett's estate.

Barrett got out & about Cambridge, was often stalked, filmed and/or approached by fans, never responded to these intrusions or inquiries & withdrew into his own world. Ok...so whats ground breaking in this book?

Would not recommend this book for a fan reasonably knowledgable about Barrett or for a new fan wanting to know more about this misunderstood icon. There are better written books on Barrett & this book was sadly disappointing.

THE BEST IN DEPTH VIEW YET INTO A TROUBLED MIND, BUT STILL NOT DEFINITIVE
2 page Forward, 4 page Acknowledgements, 5 page Introduction, 409 pages of text, 3 page Bibliography, and an Index.There are 16 pages (in 2 sections) of color and b&w photographs of Barrett, his family, PINK FLOYD, plus reproductions of a few of Barrett's artwork.This is actually a 3 1/2 star review, simply because of no in depth, definitive information on Barrett's mental condition.

"I don't think I'm easy to talk about.I've got a very irregular head.And I'm not anything that you think I am anyway"-Syd Barrett.

There are a few books about (the late) Syd Barrett that are worth reading, but this is the first authorized biography of Barrett to see the light of day.The author, Rob Chapman, who has written about Barrett for Mojo Magazine, had exclusive access to Barrett's family and friends, plus journals, letters, and artwork, to write the first truly in depth account of the troubled Barrett.

The book begins with Barrett's family and family life beginning in the 1940's.The depth Chapman goes into helps give an inside look at Barrett's life as a boy ( for instance how Roger Barrett became "Syd") and the many things that influenced him during this period.From there Barrett's friendships through his boyhood, his schooling, and his predilection for painting helps lay the foundation for Barrett's outlook on life.While no real diagnosis of Barrett's mental state was ever undertaken, the consensus of opinion is that Barrett, at the very least, suffered from some form of paranoia, which was exacerbated by all the attention he received, first in PINK FLOYD, and later with his solo music and his art.His use of mind altering drugs only made things worse. But Barrett used them to travel inside himself, where people who knew him during this time, felt Barrett seemed to want to explore, and where he felt he might find "something".

From that point Barrett's introduction to music, and meeting up with future PINK FLOYD band members, and early recordings ("Lucy Leave", "I'm A King Bee", etc.) is looked at in conjunction with Barrett's (and friends and acquaintances) use of the drug LSD.The early English music scene (1966), in conjunction with the left-leaningcounterculture is put into perspective in relation to what was then called "pop" music and the beginning of a new type of music, including the AMM, SOFT MACHINE, and others, who played at places like the Marquee Club, and the Roundhouse.

Chapman also takes an in-depth look at many of the songs now famous by PINK FLOYD, including "Arnold Layne" and "Bike", as examples.He also writes about the pressures of being on the road, and how this begun to affect Barrett, and when he started to become unreliable and erratic in his behavior. But Chapman writes that Barrett's decline wasn't constant.During this period when most people thought of Barrett as unstable, he had many periods when his actions were very normal.During his period of slow mental decline a number of Barrett's friends speak about a number of good points they saw in Barrett.He seemed to have an inward energy that people seemed to pick up on, especially women, who wanted to sleep with him.He gave the impression of being a deep thinking person, even when he said nothing.

Barrett's sacking from the band, and it's effects on him is delved into at depth.After being forced out of the band, Barrett began his solo career.A number of songs he recorded ("Silas Lang", "Golden Hair") are used to show Barrett's use of poetic imagery in forming his songs.Barrett's struggle to record his music ("The Madcap Laughs" album for example) was very difficult for him during this time, with Barrett attempting to write record his songs over a long period of time.

The book goes into some detail concerning Barrett's slow decline by citing various interviews Barrett gave over the course of several years.In the beginning Barrett was eager to talk about his music and his band, only later to become more obtuse and non-linear in his answers.Barrett never really enjoyed fame, which is supported by a number of people who knew him during this period.In 1974 Barrett virtually disappeared from the public eye.This is the period when all the myths and stories began concerning Barrett's mental state-running onto an airport runway trying to hail an airplane like you would a taxi, trying on several pairs of pants, and seeing they fit, walking out of the store without paying, walking around in a dress, and other oddities are all here.But the myths surrounding Barrett were only a part of his, admittedly, troubled life.His continued use of mind altering drugs and how they contributed toBarrett's fragile mental state are told by friends and acquaintances who witnessed Barrett during this last stage of his withdrawal from life.But Chapman also writes about Barrett's somewhat undeserved reputation during this time because Barrett fit into the romantic category of a lost soul.

No one knows what, or how much, Syd Barrett would have contributed to both music and art had he led a "normal" life.This book goes further than any others into the life and surroundings of a troubled soul.Not only do we get an in depth look at Barrett, but the era in which he lived.Chapman, by putting those areas together, has woven the best look so far, at a man who never seemed to want fame and it's attendant problems.After reading this book you're left with a feeling of sadness for a man who never seemed to find his place in the world.Touched with mental illness, in combination with mind altering drugs, robbed all of us of someone with a unique talent in both music and art. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
A Revised and Expanded Edition of the original version updated after his death. Learn all about Barrett s short-lived career as lead member of the original Pink Floyd, his subsequent release from the group and solo career. A revealing investigation into the life of a reclusive cult genius. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Syd
Interesting enough if your into Pink Floyd and/or interested in Syd Barrett. However it never really even attempts to get inside Barretts head or seriously delve into exactly what was wrong with him. Its way too simple to say he just fried his brain by doing too much acid. The most likely thing was he had some form of Schizophrenia. I think this partially because of his behaviour and partially because about the age he was when he started to get really batty is a common age when Schizophrenia begins to manifest itself in young adult males. Of course all the acid he was doing didn't help his condition either.

yahh
worth the read, especially if you're a pink floyd/ Syd Barrett fan and you want to know the truth instead of w/e crap is spread around online

Syd B - new edition from July 2007 - updated after death
An excelllent bio, although Lost in the WOods is more deep. Madcap is pretty light, with the interview with Syd at his home not copping to much

The revised edition talks about Syd's funeral and the news on Syd in recent years (that he might've gone to visit Abbey Road, that Roger Waters stopped the Crazy Diamond film being made, although a script was done for it; that Syd befriended the late Bernard White)

Read the book and play the Have You Got It Yet cds and you'll be set!

Shine on
Even though I am just starting to listen to the music of Pink Floyd, that does not mean I am not interested in reading about their work and its creators.Before Roger Waters and David Gilmore became celebrated members of Pink Floyd, there was Syd Barrett--the creative genius who was one of the band's founders.This short, yet concise biography paints a picture of Syd during both his early years and part of his reclusive era.Syd Barrett (born Roger Keith Barrett) was a painter, songwriter, and musician.He was admired by many for his creative genius and good looks.In 1968, Syd left Pink Floyd and embarked upon his solo projects.Many would say that he became burnt out from all the fame and pressure from his musical career.In the early 70's Syd became a recluse and started to express himself more through his paintings.His appearance changed over the next few years as many of his fans (and former bandmates) did not recognize him.It did not take long for a lot of people to notice that Syd had completely changed; he seemed to want to hide from the rest of the world.The book also includes quoted interviews from those who worked with Syd and knew him on a personal basis; interviews are always a bonus!"Syd Barrett: Crazy Diamond" gives an inside view of the life and times of one of Pink Floyd's most gifted musicians.

disappointing read.....
i was so excited to read this book as i adore the gorgeous syd.but this book was a big disappointment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

'Why d'yer have to leave me there hanging in my infant air waiting'
Syd Barrett was a kind of solitary genius,even when he was surrounded by people in his hey day in a group.He had a choice as did his Pink Floyd bandmates,he could choose art and painting,which would have suited his solitary instincts more or he could take the musical option.He took the latter,the others in Pink Floyd chose not to go back to architecture,carving long careers out of being Pink Floyd.Of course he led the group creatively to begin with,the light-show events in the early days,which he reacted to instinctively,creating an intuitive kind of music.He had no plans or agendas or motivation to go on the road touring,ploughing the furrows for an industrial harvest. Syd was private in himself while still playing creatively as a group member.One can't blame the others in Pink Floyd when his mercurial talents became so unpredictable and unproductive,for replacing him with another(friend)of the Cambridge elite.The book brings out well this temperamental moodiness and need to create out of inspiration.Syd's waywardness is explained by Chapman as indifference to the music industry,fame,egotistical introversion,the discipline of riding the wave of popularity,the hard work, dealing with money people, interviews. This sweet and charming boy took drugs in different combinations,Syd was a full-on sonic explorer and sound painter. His fast intuitions fed into a machine,rebelled.Syd was happy in a small group when he had no ambitions, he liked to be around the Cambrigensians from his own town.They shared good memories and times,ending up in each other's houses back in Cambridge,learning to play,having meals,taking dope.Things were easy,he was good-looking, pulled the girls,dressed like a bohemian romantic poet.Ended up in London doing art, playing music.

However it is suggested late on in the book of his life he copied from Freud that if you do not pass a vital phase in childhood,the `depressive position',(being confident that even if a child has been angry,that his mother will return),the child will develop regressive tendencies,developing depression later in life.The book skirts his mental illness for a long time saying that Syd functioned often quite well,played good music even until late on in 1967.He was surrounded by creative people whose business was to be cool,too cool to acknowledge his extreme problems,behavioural,psychotic,emotional.Helping someone in need was not in their vocabulary,so instead of facing up to it,they chose to ignore it,shut the door on it.Some did try and book an appointment for him to see RD Laing, but he refused to get out of the car that took him.However as good as The Madcap Laughs is and some of Barrett,the well was drying up,he was becoming odd,floundering for months in a psychological limbo,becoming perverse,cruel and strange.Duggie,the painter who he lived with after leaving the group,admits he didn't pull him up or challenge him when he became reckless,finding it hard to do this to someone he was fond of.Creatively too, stasis overcame momentum in his lyrics,he resorted to a very basic monotonous strumming.Dave Gilmour helped him out creatively but found it more and more draining until unable any more.Robert Wyatt wanted to form a group with him but he lay around all day.He had helped him on some of The Madcap Laughs album.

Chapman is good on his lyrical gifts(as opposed to musical)and gives the sources of several of the songs in the last two albums.However I think he fancifully compares him at times to poets like Hopkins,although like him Syd concentrated the essence of his meanings into a few,simple words.He is closer to the analogy with Clare who also did a lot of walking home and ended up in an asylum.He stuttered into vacancy and a vagrant silence, making the long walk home to his mother's in Cambridge.His mother found a complete stranger to the boy who'd set out.Syd just opted out,not challenging any myths,or pursuing another career in painting, although he did paint,he burned his work after a while.Syd stopped communicating or sharing his gifts with anyone,instead doing gardening,shopping and do-it-yourself.There is an epigraph to each chapter from The Wind in the Willows and a songline.Syd had a caring, supportive family.His sister Rosemary gives an amazing account of his last 30 years.His 1st girlfriend too reveals the letters he sent when he was her 1st love.He was always troubled by being stalked and photographed by fans and the media as he went out on his bike shopping,but his neighbours looked out for him.A touch ofJDSalinger. Drugs had taken their toll of his mental and physical health over the years.Medical treatment failed to reclaim his mental health,he was admitted to Greenwoods mission for the treatment of enduring mental health problems for a year.There he appeared very lost,inarticulate,with little control of his own affairs.'The fire had gone out, nothing could rekindle it.'In the last years he still had humour and got on with his hobbies quite well. Chapman, although he seems removed from Syd's personality,has given him dignified biography without removing the ultimate mystery of his meteoric talent. B/w and colour plates,Cambridge people,the Floyd,mother,paintings,home.

Syd Barrett - video review of Very Irregular Head
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3933DT9V6ADUU Robyn Hitchcock is quoted at great length here and there on Barrett (along with other
contemporary musicians such as Graham Coxon (Blur?)
David Gilmour)

Its probably the best book on the young man. I would HIGHLY recommend this as a
read. I'm not gonna say that it closes the book on Barrett, but its such an
exhaustive work that I think it sums him up pretty well

Grade: A ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Brief, but the most accurate story of Syd's life
I'll admit I was a little dismayed at the length of the book, but if you own this, you probably also own Lost In The Woods, Crazy Diamond, Random Precision... you get the idea. I don't need stories to be told to me, or scenes to be set - we all know the story - Willis' main achievement here is to separate fact from fiction and present Syd's story in a straightforward way, skipping the myths and presenting actual information, which is welcome. I enjoyed some of the other Syd books available, but they all had some inaccuracies that are set straight here, as well as a lot of new perspectives from people who were there and haven't spoken on record about Syd.

Willis does a fine job, and to me, this is the final word on Syd. If you want flowery, mythological tales about Syd, don't buy Madcap... there are several other books available that perpetrate the Syd myth. If you want a clear account of his life from those who knew him best, it starts and ends with Madcap.

syd's half life
this is the best book on syd that i've read.tim willis did a good job of
interviewing the people close to syd,including his younger sister rose.
it gives good insight on how syd lived in his younger days and what led
to his leaving the floyd.very interesting.

A Considerable Disappointment
I understand that marketing strategy is key to the success of any book, but in interviews regarding his biography, Tim Willis has been misleading with respect to his purported "interview " with Syd. I think the intention was to build up suspense, saying that he had interviewed Syd, while In fact, it was no more than a doorstep encounter (borderline harassment)that is already all over the internet. Which brings me to another point : you may read a good 90% of this "book" on the internet as part, or all of, various Syd-related articles, I recognised the descriptions word for word, as I knew I was not reading it for the first time. Worse, Willis goes on to criticise other biographical efforts on Syd by name, it just didn't make me feel right.The rare photos, however, were good, notably courtesy of Lindsay Corner.

Shine on for eternity, You Crazy Diamond

A Missed Opportunity
I wish this book had been published by a press other than the "Short Press" and I wish that someone other than Tim Willis would have written it.It's criminally brief, and it is written by someone with no sense of descriptive detail or how to conduct an interview which is a supreme pity, because Willis got to interview all the people necessary to write a proper book about the early Floyd.But he didn't. Willis should be tarred and feathered and dumped on Trafalgar square with copies of this book heaped on top of him.Let me give you an example of the type of thing I'm talking about, by using the Beatles, as an example: Paul meets John.On the day the two boys meet, I know that while Paul is strumming some chords John doesn't know, that John puts his arm on Paul's shoulder and leans over him and that Paul can smell beer.I know that that steeple in the distance is sandstone, I know where they are, the churchyard.John is thrilled to be learning a new chord.I can picture the exact scene-the sun, John's checkered shirt.I can describe more, but space doesn't permit.It's a wonderful image.People have written this scene down, with much, much detail, and I am glad.It helps me understand their relationship.It helps me understand why they made such beautiful music together and the later acrimony and pain when they broke up.Now, in the MADCAP book, I get a sentence that tells me that David Gilmour and Barrett were camping and in a tent read the "Story of O" and "Naked Lunch" out loud together.But that's all the sentence tells me.When Gilmour told the interviewer this anecdote they probably both smiled, and when Gilmour now reads the sentence in the book, he remembers a wonderful scene, but I, the reader, essentially know nothing.That sentence doesn't give me an image that I can turn over, when I listen to some of the early Pink Floyd songs.Were David and Syd camping near a river?Was the moon full?Were they smoking and drinking cheep beer and laughing till tears ran down their eyes.What passages did they read?Would they break out in song.Was there a guitar in the tent?How old were they?Did they also talk about their rock and roll dreams?Was their hair half way down their backs?Were there crickets, were there trees, had they both gotten laid that day? When Willis interviewed Gilmour, he should have stopped him, and demanded more details.He should have given enough detail so that ANYONE can share that moment with Syd, the same way David did.It's the kind of thing that helps you understand the music more.The more you understand and know something, the more you can love it.Such a scene would explain why David later produced Barrett, thanklessly, and has looked after his money and made sure he's gotten it all these years.A scene like this would explain why Gilmour sings haunting Barrett songs when he gives a concert.A really well described scene would explain why David's eyes twinkle so merrily, and his description of Syd is so poetic, in the Syd DVD.There isn't a SINGLE well, fleshed out scene with Syd in this book.Not ONE!You really never experience what it was to be with him.In the new Beatels book by Tony Bramwell, you get to actually spend time with the Beatles at their peak.He really does a good job of describing some really magic moments.In this book you get NOTHING!
The book gets even worse though.The Floyd play at a "Love in" where someone gets stabbed to death, and we get less than a paragraph-none of it descriptive.None of it with any concrete detail.Hundreds of pages worth of material have been written about Altamont and the Stones, and we get this friggin lousy little non-descriptive paragraph.Garbage.It's criminal!The writer of this book spends a number of pages on his own meeting with Syd Barrett-all of which lasts less than a couple of minutes.What does he give us about the meeting between the Beatles and Pink Floyd, both at some sort of peaks?This is a mythic moment.He gives us a couple of lousy little footnotes.A good journalist could write five pages on that meeting, even if it only lasted three minutes-even if Nick Mason was bored.I don't care so much that the author briefly met Barrett.(It's actually the best written part of the book.The ONLY well written part of the book.)I don't care, because the author does not interest me-it's an interesting scene, but so what.I do much more care about the Beatles and Pink Floyd. The Pink Floyd toured with Jimi Hendrix.Again, nothing!
This books is rich with names and venues and fairly bereft of story, images and personality.Supposedly major characters come and go in this book and you never have a clue-are they fat are they thin, are they liars, are they handsome are they ugly are they heroic, are they chainsmokers, are they worms?You just get these names.You don't ever get an idea of what the venues were like, the concerts.There's absolutely nothing about money in this book.The subject of money is always interesting.
I'm really beginning to despair that a really good books is going to be written on the Floyd.Of the seven with the most memories in the core circle of the band, one is dead, one has already had a stroke and the Floyd themselves are entering that dreadful age where you start to forget everything.And I mean almost everything.I suspect that the Floyd members don't understand what's at stake.Their standing in history won't simply be determined by their music.It will partly depend on their story-which is pretty much unavailable.One of the reasons the Beatles are so big is that their story is so interesting and widely available-the characters are all fleshed out, the drama all too real-it's better than fiction.But with the Floyd we don't have a good story to ponder, enjoy and discuss.We don't really know the characters, and we don't really know what happened.The books that have been published so far are skeleton outlines with none of the flesh.
Take this book.There's a ridiculous paragraph near the beginning where he says that all the major Syd anecdotes can be found in this book-that everything else revealed would be minor.Is he a lunatic?Has he completely lost it?Does he have no understanding of the complexities of humans and life?Do you know how easily, and how many great stories are overlooked and/or forgotten in any epic?He's given us a book where the text is double spaced and minus the appendices comes to roughly 150 pages.How stupid an assertion is it-what hubris, to think you've hit all the high points and there's not much else to tell-with a lousy little book like this!There are layers and layers and caves and mountains of material about Syd that never get probed here in these awful little pages.I hate this author.The writer doesn't seem to bat an eye when he reveals Barrett burned all his old diaries.No declaration of horror and regret.Oh well, at least the sap spends a little time on the genesis of a few of the early songs, and uncovered the fact that Barrett originally suggested the Floyd hire David.But it's not enough, to redeem him for all his other sins of omission.What a strange, wonderful, exciting, crazed adventure it must have been, for the Pink Floyd--their journey.I'm sure that its every bit as interesting as the one Jim Morrison took.How come he gets some decent print, and even a movie, and the Floyd get crap.Why oh why, won't someone capable, with a passion for the Floyd write us a decent book their fantastic journey?
... Read more

Product Description
When he passed permanently into the next dimension in 2006, Syd Barrett s life had developed into something far more significant than he could ever have imagined. The man who turned his back on probable fame, fortune and the entire rock music scene over thirty years ago had become an involuntary legend. Was he a genius or just a madman? The definitive answer to this question will never be known. But Psychedelic Renegades goes a long way towards unraveling the enigma that was Syd s personality. Mick Rock s extraordinary images and frank text expose a man with enormous natural charisma, whose moods could be dark and brooding as well as buoyant with madcap laughter. Mick shared a friendship with Syd that began in the acid haze of the sixties and endured until the early seventies when Syd locked himself away. This superbly produced book covers the period 1969-71, and features the photo session in and around Syd's London flat that produced the cover for his first solo album, The Madcap Laughs; it also features images Mick shot for the now famous Rolling Stone interview in 1971, which became the last photos Syd ever posed for. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

It's awfully considerate of you for...
...Letting me make clear, my thoughts of the book aforementioned here.

I'm a huge fan of Pink Floyd, and growing up was never introduced to the work prior to Dark Side of the Moon, so naturally until my adult years, I never knew who he was.Which saddens me greatly, because from what I've learned over a course of time, as I've delved into the world that is Syd (or Roger if you'd prefer; he probably would) he was an amazing man that so many people will fail to see, since they've got it painted in their heads he was a druggie who could write and carry a tune.

This book, and many others like it, helps dispel that notion, and give the readers and fan's (both old and new alike) a different aspect of him to take into consideration.

The photographs are beautifully done, and capture moments that were quite fleeting in their intimacy.I highly recommend it, whether you've seen the photos online or elsewhere already; it makes for an excellent addition to any collection.It brings me great joy and sadness whenever I look through my copy. I wish I knew him as a person, I bet he would've made for excellent company.

An excellent book on Syd - photos and text
I think its a good read - AND the photos are wonderful

I don't know if the text is the same as the earlier Genesis publication of Mick's, but I love the pictures in this book, and I like Mick talking about Syd, remembering his smile (and pointing out to specific photos wherein the madcap can be seen smiling!)

A beautiful book of photos, nice to remember Syd before the fall (before gaining weight, shaving his eyebrows and being memorialized in Rogers The Wall!)

psychedelic renegades : with photographs of syd barrett by mick rock
only a few pictures i hadnt seen before, otherwise id seen most of the pics already so it was a disappointment for me. i should have waited and checked the book out at the library. new fans of barrett, you may enjoy the book.

It's about time
Too bad for the bitter little monkey reviewer above who paid $400.00 for the 2002 edition of this book, but an affordable version was likely, and here it is! Clearly the best visual representation of the latter part of Syd's brief career.

Mick Rock Rules
Mick Rock has captured Syd Barrett in his prime, just before he left the fold of stardom. Those who love Barrett, early Floyd & Psych Rock in general are encouraged to check it out. ... Read more

Product Description
Soon after creating the experimental pop group, Pink Floyd, in 1966, Syd Barrett took to using hallucinogenic drugs, which led to schizophrenia. He has now abandoned his past. Through interviews with Barrett's family and friends, this book provides an account of the man and his illness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Lost in the Woods
"Most illuminating is Julian Palacios' 'Lost in the Woods'.It deals with the realities of Barrett's mental state without ever letting this overshadow his work.A fine book that gets to grip with the mechanics of his songwriting, his pioneering guitar-playing and the wider cultural backdrop."
- Mark Paytress, Record Collector

"Julian Palacios tells this melancholy modern myth with vitality, compassion and extraordinary..detail. Palacios has talked to key figures in the British underground, and brings the psychedelic scene, from the UFO club to the 14 Hour Technicolor Dream at Ally Pally, to vivid life."
-The Daily Telegraph

"Barrett's story has never before been told in such visceral detail.A definitive work."
- Q

"A perfect Syd Barrett book...believable and full of insight."
- Record Collector

"Certainly better written than the other Barrett bios, 'Lost in the Woods' is not only about Barrett but the era that he stood for."
- Mojo

moonshine, washing line...
A thorough yet digestable bio of the late Syd Barrett.Captures the pre and post Floyd Syd.

Similar to Mike Watkinson's "Syd Barrett & the Dawn of Pink Floyd: Crazy Diamond", but with some more meat on the bones.Particularly interesting is an interview with Barrett's nephew, which sheds light on Syd's activity during his later years.

Syd Barrett, RIP
Syd Barrett will be greatly missed. His whimsical songwriting style was unique and greatly influenced many famous musicians like David Bowie. This book is an essential purchase for those wishing to know about a genuis.

AUN BRILLA EL DIAMANTE.....
La vida de Syd Barret sin duda alguna que se enmarca dentro de los mitos en la historia de rock, es triste ver la historia de un joven con proyectos e ilusiones, quien junto a sus amigos creo una banda que fusiono el arte con la musica....pero se le escapo de las manos. Aca Julian Palacios nos hace ver como en forma progresiva la mente de Syd se transforma, como la maquina de excelentes canciones comienza su erratico caminar hacia un aislamiento total, donde se plasma la sombra de ungenio y figura. Sin duda alguna que este libro sera un verdadero tesoro para los amantes del primer Pink Floyd, aquel lúdico y psicodelico grupo, los datos aportados y testimonios recogidos son de primera fuente, evitando caer en supuestos y errores....en definitiva imperdible.

Shine on You Crazy Diamond
Mainstream rock knows Pink Floyd.The all too familiar grandoise 70's tours that gave thier audiences experiences of a lifetime. They recognize the string of lyrically and musically woven work that is considered some of the finest productions ever.This is the stuff which "legendary" is all about.The stuff of Meddle, Wish You were Here, Animals. The Wall. The sonic Dark Side of The Moon.
Beyond this, few rock novices know about the groups early history. This was a very different Pink Floyd. One that was controlled by Syd Barrett.
Roger "Syd" Barrett grew up like any normal post world war II english boy. Originally yearning to become a painter, an exposure to Elvis and Little Richard provoked him to take an interest in music as well. Being an art student in England within the early to mid sixties was an experience. Influences were abundant everywhere; American R&B and Jazz. The Blues. Also abundant was the uncontrolled avialability of pot. Syd, always wanting fresh, new experiences took thatin as well. Eventually his guitar playing bcame better than his artwork.He hooked up with the son of one of his teachers, Roger Waters. Together they formed bands and played small venues for a little more than a year and a half. Then came the infamous "First Trip" where Syd experiences LSD for the first time through magic mushrooms (this is forever immortalized on the celluoid "Syds First Trip", a sought after tape of himself being filmed by the student buddy showing Syd completely on his magic swirling ship.Syd liked this so much that he continued to use it on a regular basis, knowing that the more he could ingest, the more his development as an artist would blossom. He eventually got the acid in its most available form.Soon these Physedelic experiences reflected in his playing and concept. Lighting Display, which was almost unheard of for a pop act became a central focus for the band-now named The Pink Floyd by Syd-the philosphy being that what you cannot make in your playing you can make up for with a visual experience.It was this, and not the Floyds early music that made the band so sucessful in the early going.
Syd in those days ws considered a visionary. On LSD he...sure was.His musical ideas and concepts were fresh and uncharted-eventually his wirting skills developed as well as his bands presentation. The first sinle "Arnold Layne" made top 20 in England, but it was the second record, "See Emily Play" that established the Floyd as THE trip band. The formula was there; crazy lyrics, studio effects, unusual sounds and a tight arrangement-all completely orchestrated by Syd. Thier first album The Piper at The Gates Of Dawn (which includes uncanny songs such as "chapter 24", "Lucifer Sam", The Scarecrow, the phenomenal "Bike" and the extended space jam "Interstellar Overdrive") captured not only the essence of Syd Barretts Pink Floyd, but the London Underground as well. Soon it was Top of the Pops. Top 10 single and album. The Beatles visits, The UFO club. It was wall coming together rapidly for Syd.
Then came the fall.
Syd was still on a steady diet of LSD. His behavior was rapidly getting out of hand.The once focused and vibrant musician/songwriter was slowly but surely turning into an acid casualty. Acid didn't effect Syd's performance, it effected his actual functionality in life itself.
His mental state becoming more eratic, his behavior was even more intolerable. Add thhe responsibilities of writing music and touring,it became to obvious it was too much to bear (see aural evidence with the single "Apples and Oranges" and the still unreleased "Scream thy Last Scream" and visual evidence of the infamous American Bandstand appearance on thier first American tour)and became clear that he was basically incoherent-the proverbial "lights on but nobody home" scenario. Eventually the band discharged Syd altogether-replacing him with David Gilmour. It was Gilmours-not Syds-guitar style that became most identifiable with Pink Floyd.
Syd lived in a flat in London after this ouster and grew worse; outta touch with his music and the world.He managed to produc (with the help of the Floyd) two solo albums The Madcap Laughs and Barrett (both 1970). Though it was music, with some notable exceptions, they were clearly an unfocused and disjointed affairs. (highlights include "Terrapin","Octopus","Golden Hair", Gigolo Aunt" and one of syd's first written songs,"Effervescing Elephant").
His deterioration continued well into the mid-seventies. Chronically usntable and mentally challanged due to prolonged ingestion of drugs he wound up being institutionalized.Released later to the daily care of his family, he shacked up in his mothers basement where he lives comfortably and carefree to this day almost unrecognizable from his prime, but suffers from a diabetic condition.
One of the most brightest and gifted artists to come out of the rock era, Syd Barrett became one of the first burned-out rock stars, a physical toll being monumental, an emotional one being inmeasurable. Syd today eschews his past. Wordly known as the founder of Pink Floyd, he received entry to the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame(did not attend)and is held in reverence to numerous young musicians worldwide.
For one shining moment, albeit brief, Syd Barrett became the darling of The London Underground and one of England's brightest Pop stars before it all came crashing down. Syds story is nothing sort of tragic, a chronicled tale of drug abuse and the troughs of the Rock N Roll lifestyle. His price that he paid for entering that arena reserved for those of groundbreaking visionary status. The book documents this expertly, and doesn't leave too much detail out, in fact I feel there is too much detail. Syd will forever remain a footnote in the bands history. To this day Pink Floyd cannot denounce (or shake off) the influence and original vision he had for the band.
One might ask oneself, "What could have been"? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Poorly written; lack of basic editing ("Jimmy" Hendrix?)
I'm sure author meant well, but this book is so poorly written and edited that it's almost laughable. First, there's a distracting use of bold-face type all over the place--it's pointless and irritating. And then there are the typos: "Jimmy Hendrix" (any 15-year old knows that one) and "Astronomy Dominie" (should be "Domine"). I mean, if you're writing a book about a certain songwriter and misspell the name of one of his best-known songs, you're probably in the wrong business. Ultimately, this Syd Barrett book is a bit of a joke, and a sad one at that.

Syd Barrett legend - Pink Floyds founder member
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RHC3P5IQXKD9L Its a good read. I'll undoubtedly post a video review of it shortly, but its a good read. Nice to have the lyrics as well for Syds songs

Its 176 pages - good luck finding it though!
Chapters:

Introduction
The early years
The early Pink Floyd
Wouldn't you miss me?
Back to "The Smoke"
The last interviews
The "Lost Tape" session
Syds last gig
Encounters
Death of a legend
The house sale
The auction
Other tributes and comments
Where were Floyd?
Viewing material in the BFI National Film and television archive
Sources ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

When oh when will "Living Alone" be released?
Gilmour still has the tape with Living Alone - David, PLEASE put this song out (it was recorded during the Barrett sessions and you took the tape home with you - it also had Bob Dylan Blues on it too!

Oh, the book. The book is fantastic. Full of session dates and information on the early Floyd. Well worth the read. If only there were more (but alas, Syd fell apart too soon, and its doubtful he recorded anything with Stars)

Syd Barrett, RIP
Syd Barrett will be greatly missed. His whimsical songwriting style was unique and greatly influenced many famous musicians like David Bowie. This book is an essential purchase for those wishing to know about a genuis.

Excellent
At last, it has happened. Ever since Mark Lewisohn published his momumental session-by-session "The Beatles Recording Sessions" in 1988, I have been waiting for other important artists to be given the same thorough, studious treatment. It's been a long wait, for while some vaguely similar titles have been published (including one about Jimi Hendrix), few of them could offer access to the same obsessive documentation that Abbey Road studios required of its engineers. Syd Barrett, the offbeat genius and erratic founder of Pink Floyd, also happens to have done most of his work at Abbey Road, and David Parker has been through every corner of the studio files to come up with this impressive offering. In it, we learn the date and content of every professional recording session Syd Barrett (with and without Pink Floyd) is known to have done during his finite career, from the first 1965 demos through the last, unheard, abandoned sessions in 1974. Some of Syd's engineers, friends and managers (Peter Jenner, etc.) contribute memories and comment perceptively on each of the songs and sessions. (Alas, no comments from members of Pink Floyd.)It should be noted that the author did not actually get to listen to many of the tapes; indeed, sometimes tape was recycled at the studios and the originals no longer exist. Nevertheless, the documentation is here. This is a wonderful, respectful reference work for any Syd Barrett fan, and an amusing read for anyone interested in recording sessions in general. Discographies, a compendium of live shows, and other appendices add to the completist fun. Wow, a winner. ... Read more

Product Description
An investigation into the life of Syd Barrett, the founder of Pink Floyd. This revised edition includes details of Atlantic Record's offer of $200,000 for Syd to record some new songs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

For All Fans
I, like many people, and many more to come, became a Pink Floyd fan after their best work had been completed.However, I (like many others) have been so taken with the music that I had to do some research on the somewhat mythological founder and now insane recluse.This book is a definite page turner for anyone who is truly interested in Syd Barrett or Pink Floyd.

Syd Barrett - legendary founder of Pink Floyd
If you haven't heard Barrett's material, this book is a really good place to introduce yourself to the man behind Pink Floyd. If you have, this book will undoubtedly enlighten you on the origins of Pink Floyd and Syd's subsequent demise.Crazy Diamond is a thoroughly researched book which is sympathetic to Syd's material. It portrays him as a vulnerable person who couldn't cope with the pressure of having to perform, after having almost single-handedly written the Floyd's suberb debut album Piper At The Gates of Dawn.A fantastic read . . . buy this book!

Until the real thing comes along
A good enough book, full of stories, reminiscences, apocrypha. Unfortunately the writing is not that great, so all the trivia doesn't really give you a feel for who Syd Barrett was and why he's so fascinating. The definitive Madcap bio is still to be written, but for now this'll haveto do...

Okay
This is an amusing enough read, though rambling and somewhat poorly written. We don't really gain too much of an understanding of the man or his music, but then information about both has always been scanty, and thisbooks does its best to at least find out the truth about reported incidentsof his life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Syd Barrett's Fish out of water cd review
Not very good

The interiew purported with Syds sister herein is false, made up by Luca Ferrari
(Italian Syd fan) - the person interviewing Rosemary Breen does not even exist..

The cd (Lucy Leave b/w King Bee) is the only reason to buy this rubbish

Really a waste of time. And you can hear Lucy Leave in better quality on the Have you got it yet? release! ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Syd Barrett, Henry Cow, Robyn Hitchcock, Katrina and the Waves, Choir of St John's College, Cambridge, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Hamfatter, Logistics, Strawberry Fair, the Broken Family Band, Cambridge Corn Exchange, Nu:tone, Samuel Smiles, University of Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra, Boo Hewerdine, Cambridge Folk Festival, the Soft Boys, Ezio, Kimberley Rew, Queens' College Chapel Choir, Cambridge, the Bible, Repeat Records, Nu:logic, Cambridge Concert Orchestra, Cambridge Chimes. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 134. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Fender Esquire Syd Barrett (6 January 1946 7 July 2006), born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist and artist. He is most remembered as a founding member of psychedelic/progressive rock band Pink Floyd, providing major musical and stylistic direction in their early work, although he left the group in 1968 amidst speculations of mental illness exacerbated by heavy drug use. Barrett was active as a rock musician for about seven years, recording two albums with Pink Floyd and two solo albums before going into self-imposed seclusion lasting more than thirty years. His post rock-band life was as an artist and a keen gardener, ending with his death in 2006. A number of biographies have been written about him since the 1980s and Pink Floyd wrote and recorded a song about him after he left, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" on the 1975 album Wish You Were Here. Barrett was born in the English city of Cambridge to a middle-class family. His father, Arthur Max Barrett, was a prominent pathologist, and both he and his wife, Winifred, encouraged the young Roger (as he was known then) in his music. When Barrett was three years old, his family moved to 183, Hills R...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=4740559 ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: John Maynard Keynes, Douglas Adams, Olivia Newton-John, Jeremy Taylor, Frank P. Ramsey, David Gilmour, Syd Barrett, Alex Rhodes, Richard Attenborough, Richard Garriott, Edward Mcmillan-Scott, Jack Hobbs, G. A. Henty, Pete Atkin, Tom Robinson, F. R. Leavis, Georgie Stoop, Richard Cumberland, Matthew Bellamy, Michael Ramsey, Samata Angel, Douglas Hartree, Clive Stafford Smith, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Mark Finch, William Lawrence Balls, Luke Chadwick, Roger Mayne, John Raven, Ronald Searle, John Bainbridge Webster, Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet, Patrick Hadley, Alex Revell, George Paget Thomson, Charles Galton Darwin, John Cheke, Amy Williams, Christopher Crabb Creeke, Alastair Hignell, Sam Baron, Edward Henry Palmer, Giuliano Maiorana, Anthony Lane, Percy Humphreys, Colin Leakey, Stuart Wardley, Jasper Rootham, Francis Fenner, Tim Renwick, Christopher Cockerell, Nigel Davenport, Andrew Martin, Odile Crick, Antonio Murray, Rowan Robertson, Matthew Gill, William Whitehead, Raymond Postgate, Will Clarke, Josh Simpson, Bob Klose, Dallas Brooks, Russell Claydon, Steve Flack, Rebecca Stott, Andrew Wright, Simon Mcburney, Jenny Saville, Roger Tomlinson, James Collis, Steve Jones, Paul Cunniffe, Robert Sidney Foster, Daniel Chillingworth, Adrian Clarke, Frank Debenham, Reginald Brooks, Vernon White, Jamie Brooks, Nick Stone, Robert Carpenter, Ronald George Wreyford Norrish, Chris Maitland, Snowy Farr, Francis Lickerish, Nick Barraclough, John Purchas, Kevin Spiolek, Dick Habbin, John Macnaghten Whittaker, Neville Robinson, Thomas Hobson, Henry Folland, Joanne Ellis, Mat Mitchel-King, Matthew Scurfield, Anthony Abdy, Barry Pain, Peter Tranchell, Eddy Shah, Edward Stevenson Browne, Rana Dasgupta, Thomas P. Campbell, Andrew Raven, Nick Lamb, Bill Cardoso, John Minton, Stan Cullimore, Alex Hills, Brian Stonebridge, John Mortlock, Andy Metcalfe, Julia Ogilvy, Sidney Ralph Howes, Horace Nicholls, Adam Brown, Cantabrigian, Peter Fluc...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=37973 ... Read more

Product Description
Commentary (music and lyrics not included).Chapters: Bike, Dark Globe, Terrapin, Octopus, Milky Way. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 18. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: from the album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn "Bike" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, and is featured on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967). In the song, Syd Barrett's lyrical subject shows a girl his bike (which he borrowed), a cloak, a homeless mouse that he calls Gerald, and a clan of gingerbread men - because she "fits in with world". Towards the end of the song, he offers to take her into a "room of musical tunes". The final verse is followed by an instrumental section that can be referred to as a piece of musique concrete: a noisy collage of oscillators, clocks, gongs, bells, a violin, and other sounds edited with tape techniques, apparently the "other room" spoken of in the song. The ending of the song fades out with the sound of sped-up laughter. The song was written for Barrett's then girlfriend, Jenny Spires. She is also mentioned in the song "Lucifer Sam", which is also on The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. It also appears on two Floyd compilation albums: Relics (1971) and Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd (2001). On both albums, it is the final track. On Echoes the song follows "High Hopes", which was the last song on The Division Bell and the last studio recording by the band. "High Hopes" is at least in part a tribute to Barrett, making its juxtaposition with "Bike" thematically appropriate. The segue between the two songs is achieved by jump-cutting from the sound effect of a distant church bell at the end of "High Hopes" to that of a bicycle bell and thence straight into "Bike". This creates a striking transition from the reflective melancholy of "High Hopes" to th...http://booksllc.net/?id=2904913 ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Syd Barrett, Richard Wright, Nick Mason, Bob Klose. Excerpt:Bob Klose Rado 'Bob' Klose (born 1945; sometimes referred to as Bob Close or Brian Close in various publications) is an English musician and photographer. He was one of the earliest members of the rock band Pink Floyd , playing lead guitar , but left the band before they recorded their first released single, "Arnold Layne ". Abdabs "The Abdabs" (also known as, "The Architechtural Abdabs", and "The Screaming Abdabs"), with Roger Waters (lead guitar ), Richard Wright (rhythm guitar ), Nick Mason (drums ), Clive Metcalfe (bass guitar ), and Keith Noble ... Read more