Syd Barrett

One of the most influential musicians in British pop history, Syd Barrett was as appreciated as much for his iconoclastic approach to the electric guitar as for his adventurous and imaginative songwriting. A co-founder of Pink Floyd, he was also quintessentially English, penning idiosyncratic and unique songs, and, along with Ray Davies, was directly responsible for a whole generation of musicians feeling that it was acceptable to develop their own indigenous brand of rock music.

One of the most famous creators and characters of the psychedelic era, Syd Barrett has not conducted an interview or released music since the early seventies yet his self-imposed anonymity still fascinates fans old and new. The original songwriter for Pink Floyd was only with the band for a vibrant 3 years when he left in 1968, yet when the band released their greatest hits album in 2001 Syd had written over a fifth of the tracks. This year it is 35 years since Syd Barrett left the band yet mystery still surrounds this prodigy of rock.

You know the situation is getting desperate when a compilation recycles material from an outtakes collection released a decade prior. Such is the case with The Best of Syd Barrett: Wouldn't You Miss Me?, a package that basically combines the best of Syd Barrett's two proper albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, with a number of previously issued outtakes and a straggler from producer and Pink Floyd bandmate David Gilmour's vaults ("Bob Dylan's Blues")…

Syd Barrett - An Introduction To Syd Barrett (2011 Record Store Day Release) [24-96 2xLP Vinyl]
Vinyl rip @ 24/96 | FLAC(tracks) -> 1.22 Gb | Full Scans -> 105 Mb | Label: Capitol / EMI | Record Store Day Release
Genre: Rock / Psychedelic / British Psychedelia | RAR 5% | Rec. CAT #50999-098503

Released on October 4, 2010, this is the first compilation of Pink Floyd tracks together with Syd Barrett solo material. It includes all the song lyrics for the first time on any Syd Barrett album, plus a brand-new package by Storm Thorgerson's StormStudios, including new photography, graphics and illustrations.

On his second solo album, Barrett was joined by Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley and Pink Floyd members Rick Wright (organ) and Dave Gilmour (guitar). Gilmour and Wright acted as producers as well. Instrumentally, the result is a bit fuller and smoother than the first album, although it's since been revealed that Gilmour and Wright embellished these songs as best they could without much involvement from Barrett, who was often unable or unwilling to perfect his performance…