PersonnelSyd Barrett - Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Vocals, Producer
Tim Chacksfield - Project Coordinator
Gareth Cousins - Mixing
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
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Editorial Reviews
Product Description:
No longer available in the U.S., Crazy Diamond is a 1993 triple-CD boxed set of Syd Barrett's two 1970 albums The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, and Opel, an out-takes compilation from 1988, with all discs augmented by a generous helping of further alternate takes of songs from all three albums. The box set is packaged in a 6 inch x 12 inch longbox, and also contains a 24 page booklet.
Simultaneously with this release EMI reissued The Madcap Laughs, Barrett and Opel separately as well, along with the new bonus tracks of alternate takes.
Barrett's Genius, October 25, 2000
Reviewer: Craig Moyer (Lewisville, NC USA)
Although some of the songs on this box set seem a bit unfinished, having only guitar and vocals, after listening to them a few times I really grew to appreciate them. Many times the lyrics don't make a lick of sense but they still sound great. Unlike the morbid songs produced by Pink Floyd while Roger Waters was at the helm, many of Syd's songs are really uptempo and have a catchy beat. Sadly one can practically feel Barrett's sanity slipping away in some of the out takes included here. As an 18 year old boy fed up with the music industry's endless desire to produce bubble gum crap, I strongly recomend this this trip to the past in a time when original musicians like Syd could produce orginal music and not be laughed at by record companies. The music industry should take Barrett's music as a hint of what constitutes talent. Like many other greats of his time (Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix), Barrett burned brightly and then burned out fast, which makes me kind of sad when I listen to this music. Barrett's disain for conventional form and style paid off though, and you can tell during songs like "opel" and "Clowns and Jugglers." Some of the acoustic tracks show the complexity of Barrett's songs better than the ones with backing bands because you can hear how he changes meter, etc. In short I recommend this box set only to those looking for a departure from maintream rock, otherwise the ablums would appear raw and unfinished. It must be viewed with some prior appreciation of Barrett and his lyrical genius. |
