I am glad at least that Syd is remembered fondly here. Time to drag out his two great solo albums. They are kinda sad as you can tell by listening he is sliding over the edge, but some excellent songs. Shine on -
i thought this was an interesting tidbit, from the CNN article "In 1975, during the recording of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" album, Barrett showed up unannounced at the studio -- ironically, during the recording of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," a song about him. He had become overweight and shaved his eyebrows; the other members didn't recognize him at first. "Wish You Were Here" was dedicated to Barrett"
Syd didn't really influence myself as far as Pink Floyd goes. I really only know of him by reputation and from the band members' discussions of him. Like was said, I'm sure his situation influenced the music of the works crafted after he left the band. Whenever I hear a Syd Pink Floyd song, I really don't recognize it or get into it...but that's just me. I know Gilmour played at least one of the Syd songs on his most recent tour but I didn't really care for it or "get it". Maybe I never really gave that early Floyd music it's fair shake. Who knows? It is a sad day regardless for any Pink Floyd fan. It's kind of ironic that the Pulse DVD finally comes out the week after Syd passes.
This is really sad news. Honestly, I am surprised that he lived this long considering all the stuff he went through. I recognize and respect Syd's talent but early Floyd was never my favorite era of them. Although, I do dig "See Emily Play" a lot. RIP - +++
Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. Shine on You crazy Diamond. Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky. Shine on You crazy Diamond. You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom, blown on the steel breeze. Come on you target for faraway laughter, come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine! You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon. Shine on You crazy Diamond. Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light. Shine on You crazy Diamond. Well you wore out your welcome with random precision, rode on the steel breeze. Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine! Nobody knows where you are, how near or how far. Shine on You crazy Diamond. Pile on many more layers and I'll be joining you there. Shine on You crazy Diamond. And we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph, and sail on the steel breeze. Come on you boy child, you winner and loser, come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!
Exact opposite for me... Pink sans Syd really should've just become a full fledged instrumental band.. Not one I would've cared much for.. Seemed to revert to being a blues heavy band instead of just hints of it's jazz/blues base during Syd's era... Self conscious compositions, erratic uninspired uses of silence negated by dragged out typical metal solos... Meh.. Just a strange (not in a good way) mixture of a pretentious.. yet conformed , unemotional sound... To me, Pink Floyd will always be Syd Barret's works... RIP Syd
