Round-up
Last week was a miserable one and, for obvious reasons, nothing seemed to matter very much.
We’re going to move on now, but first, in case you’ve missed anything, here’s a brief round-up of what I would have reported in more detail last week were it not for the tragic news about Syd.
There’s now a seating plan for the Venice concert. Please see the Live Dates page for the plan in PDF format.
You’ll also see ticket details for the Gdańsk concert on the Live Dates page. That’s going to be an amazing show. David will have a 38-piece orchestra behind him, conducted by Zbigniew Preisner.
As we were discussing the ‘P.U.L.S.E’ DVD (yes, we’re spelling it this way from now on), we’ve added a poll for you to cast your vote and let us know how you rate it. There’ll be a new poll added on a regular basis. Please see the Stuff & Nonsense page for that.
David’s first two solo albums have been delayed. They’re now out on 14 and 15 August in Europe and North America respectively. Please note that the various fansites are incorrect in stating that there will be extra tracks. There is no bonus material included with these albums.
Lastly, a few words in response to certain comments received last week.
Above all, our deep thanks once again for the great many kind, thoughtful and incredibly moving messages that were left. They were vastly appreciated and responsible for plenty of tears.
But frankly I have been sickened by the number of people who have used this forum – and, more importantly, Syd’s name – to insensitively and shamelessly push their own agenda, be it advertising their tribute act, plugging their website or banging on about a Pink Floyd reunion.
I don’t care if it was for the sake of a charitable cause. It was the wrong time and the wrong place and I strongly object to a space set up in Syd’s memory, purely for people who cared about him to pay their respects (not people merely seizing an opportunity to tell David what he ought to be doing to save the world), being targeted and bombarded with demands.
You are, of course, free to tell us how you will honour Syd’s memory if you want to. But don’t tell us what you think David, or the other members of Pink Floyd, should be doing. That is for them to decide, not fans who so desperately want to see a reunion, they don’t care how it comes about.
For God’s sake, have and show some respect. We have lost the man who gave the world the band you claim to love so much. Is a concert of any importance?
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but there’s a time and a place to express it. To start spewing out the usual tired demands last week was wholly inappropriate and, on behalf of anyone with a heart and more than half a brain, I say shame on you for not realising it.
I feel sad that Syd’s passing has caused some controversy within this community.Although I know that the offensive posts likely came from irregulars just looking to exploit this tragic turn of events,I would have liked to at the same time, mourn and rejoice the memory of Syd without any distractions…but good on you F.E. for using your pointy stick..had to be said.
Can I just say Features Ed, that last weeks very sad blog was conducted with so much respect and love for Syd, his family and friends, that I take my hat off to you and the team.
It`s such a shame that reading through the supportive posts this evening on this blog that a few idiots feel the urge to post stupid comments which are total rubbish. It must make your blood boil!
[It does, but all you good souls cool it down again. - Features Editor]
Dear F.Ed.
You have of course my wholehearted support in your statement today!
Most of us just wanted to pay our respect to Syd, and we are glad that we have this site to go to. I can understand the frustration you feel when people try to use the situation to their benefit. But you know there will always be someone….
Thanks for making your point of view (and ours, well most of us anyway) so clear. You are, as always, doing a great job!
Best regards
JT
Wow … I’m really sorry to hear you were inundated with negative and selfish comments during your (our) time of grief. But, I’ve re-read your statement, “Is a concert of any importance?” a dozen times and I still don’t get it.
Yes, for many people a concert would be important. Pink Floyd has been most influential in my life … I’m grateful for your work and would do just about anything for the chance to see the group live.
If the group can’t tour, so be it. But is David thinking about extending his tour to the U.S.?
[He's just toured the States. He did more shows there than anywhere else. - Features Editor]
FEd…
I hope you won’t mind my posting again today. And I hope I am not offending by mentioning P*U*L*S*E and going to a lighter subject now.
I loved the dvd’s, beautifully edited and filmed! Great quality of sound. Much fun to see the band from some years ago since the first time I have had a chance to see the band is the OAI tour. It was impressive to see how they traveled and performed.
But I think I appreciate much much more the smaller more intimate venues.
I so much enjoyed the extra’s of the child calling ‘daddy’. Reminding us even more how much the musicians and their families lives are changed by the life they lead. How much they sacrifice for the chance to share their music and talent. Very endearing tho for them to let us see them being human and reminding us of that. And to see what a beautiful family they are.
You are so right..David Gilmour, by being in the public eye, will never be able to step right, as far as some are concerned. He must have learned a long time ago to let much of this junk wash over him. However, he continues to create and play such wonderful warm moving music. Bless him for that.
I hope that we have heard the last from the bottom of the ‘heap’.
Well said Fed. Well said. Thanks for not posting the cretins drivel, in effect keeping ‘all the riff raff’ from coming ‘into the room’. IF I HAD MY WAAAAYYY….I’D HAVE ALL OF THEM SSHHut up (and shuttled off to Antartica). B•D
I’m glad to see that things are moving on. I love the P•U•L•S•E DVD. I haven’t finished watching it yet though. Mmmm. I couldn’t think of an appropriate caption. Maybe next time. Don’t let these cretins get you down (I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these insensitive mooks were just juvenile button-pushers).
F.Ed,
I may sound like a broken record, “Well said F’Ed”. Thank-you for not publishing those greedy requests, you maintain a classy reliable website and you’ve dealt with the news in a very mature manner. Our friend would be proud.
Peace, Love and Happiness
-Drew
Hey Fed,
It’s sad to hear the misinformed comments that some made after Syd’s passing. Hopefully mine were respectful, I believe that they were.
Some people need to do their research on David how he’s helped Syd through the years. Google it or something. I don’t know David and I’m not willing to praise anybody just because I like their music, but everything I’ve ever read about David suggests that he’s a pretty decent human being.
Furthermore, I personally like the fact that he plays Syd’s songs. He obviously respected Syd’s music and enjoyed playing his songs, Syd got royalties and the rest of us got to enjoy hearing Syd’s songs live. It’s not win-win, it’s win-win-win.
Just my opinion,
Matt
FEd, glad to see the blog back and it seems like it is back to “normal” again with all the bickering going on already.
I have to say that I too fully agree with your commentary and I was particularly sickened by all the people who not only were asking for a PF reunion but also for people to make donations to various organizations.
We don’t need the passing of someone to remind us that we should give to this or that. And I believe that everyone has their own particular charity they support for whatever reason. Geez, if the family of Syd put up a request that donations in his honor go to such and such that would be one thing. But to have all these people say that you should give to this or that was just sickening and not needed in that forum.
I support the charities that are important to me for whatever reason I choose.
Sorry FEd, but I had to get this off my chest. I restrained myself from posting these thoughts last week cause I knew it was just not the place for it. Now I had to get the gloves off.
O, the other thing I find amazing is how the passing of Syd made it sound like some of these people lost a blood brother or relative. This is a person who has not been in the public eye for well over 30 years. Based on his post, even Jon Carin who is in the inner circle never met the guy. To me it is always sad when someone passes and is no longer with us. But I’m not loosing sleep over each and every one I hear about.
Andrew
well stated fearless f.e.d.
i hope everyone took the time to read the interview with rosemary barrett in the times. i got it online because they don’t deliver across the pond. very very interesting.
ween played dark globe thursday nite.
as for me, i’ve been sporting syd gear for years, but now i’m making a point to spread the love and the wisdom, mostly by wearing my piper badge daily, and smiling the best i can.
i’m going to set up a show with local musicians and artists to pay our respects. i’ll let you know how it went. i plan on singing till i’m hoarse. jay linclon and i are going to do some paintings as well, i’d been planning to this summer anyway, i just didn’t think i’d get the push that soon.
hope you are well. thanks for all your hard work, it’s really appreciated. i don’t think everyone realizes the impact this man made, and his legacy will out live us all.
lots of love from upstate new york.
Caption…
“This note’s for you Syd…A+major all the way just as you were and still are in my heart.”
I don’t get it. How can people ask Floyd to reunite and play Syd’s stuff, then turn around and accuse David of playing Syd’s material just for profit? Some people can really be irrational.
Above all, I’m sure David plays Syd’s songs because they’re good songs. If they were not good songs, David wouldn’t play them. Besides, I see nothing wrong with keeping Syd’s legacy alive. Would anyone accuse Arlo Guthrie of profiteering off the memory of his father?
All sorts of people loved Syd Barrett. David, though, had a special relationship with him way back when. I’ve read in a number of places that David taught Syd to play guitar, that the two of them plus Dick Parry and others would play together years before there was a Pink Floyd.
I can only imagine the way David must be feeling these days, having lost that kind of a friend. It is maddening that people are insensitive enough to make demands of David at this time, and even worse that they are accusing him of profiteering.
It occurs to me that these people don’t understand. They think David is a God, a legend, greater than life, and they forget that David is a human being with human emotions. That David is a person. We place our celebrities upon a pedestal and become very posessive of them, and because of this posessiveness we demand things from them and, when they fail to be what we want them to be, we make accusations about them. We completely lose sight of the person that we came to love so much in the first place.
How de-humanizing that is.
Hello there, I have not written since the two Toronto shows, they were great. Can’t wait for the DVD to come out.
I see the shows have gone on a little longer than first anticipated, great work guys, you must be having a good time, great to see.
I am not sure if David or anybody has read this Syd Barrett article, but it is nice to see that some has finally spoke on behalf of Syd, because everybody has a special side and it is great that Rosemary has shared this with us.(it could not have been said any better)
And by the way, does David own a copy of the PSYCHEDELIC RENEGADES photos by Mick Rock from Genesis Publications, the photos are incredible and is a very memorable piece of art to own of a man that we all loved very much.
Dear F.Ed.
WHY???? Do we need a reunion tour????
I bought and watched P.U.L.S.E….. Visually Stunning..
But, In my opinion not as personal of an experience as the current performances David and his FABULOUS band are giving of material that is timeless. Plus the venue choices are excellent, I loved being part of the crowd at both LA performances. Kodak theatre was spectacular.
What matters to me is that the music is being done justice, and IT IS. Guy needs to stay where he is (about 15 feet to the right of David Gilmour) this whole band rocks.
Let bands like Quiet riot and Poison do reunions. Let David Gilmour continue to create and impress on the level HE chooses to.
“Cause I am a man on the outside looking in”
Thanks for the space to ramble
Dan in Colorado
P.S. SYD was and is (now), a little bit of everywhere. I hope he enjoys his place in the Band Up There.
F’ed,
I just wanted (along with most of us on this blog) to say “thank you” for all of the time you have put into making this blog something to look forward to every day.
As for the few other entries…I will not even mention because giving them any attention at all is more than they deserve, and what they are trying to achieve.
To use your words…and what really sums it all up for me, “We have lost the man who gave the world the band…”
Hi FED,
It’s been sometime since I’ve posted, yet I feel compelled to now.
I can’t help but think that those people plugging their own agendas for tribute acts or what not came from over here in the States, and it ashames me to think so. These people should be put before a Singapore judge for their indecency.
And Dano, B.Smith, etc… you all should pull your heads out of your proverbial arses rather than make weak arguments of why David plays Syd’s songs. It’s a very noble thing of him to perform the songs of a long-time friend. It’s also a way of saying, “hey this was my friend, and may his persona never die.” If anything, Syd’s financial profit was probably the last item on the agenda (it certainly wouldn’t be the first)
Anyways, may the diamond shine on for all eternity. He will certainly be missed. Not just by those who knew him, but also by those who knew of him.
[I believe the insensitive stuff came from all over the world, Joe. - Features Editor]
Thanks, Fed, for your guidance and sensitivity throughout this difficult time. Something that stands out for me amidst all the clutter of fan demands and recriminations that we’ve read: the fact that, last week, David Gilmour lost someone he cared enough about to play his songs publicly and ensure that royalty payments were sent and received, despite whatever history had passed between them. I suspect on several levels that defines friendship of a kind. That consideration alone should give us all pause … David has set the bar pretty high, I think.
Love and warm thoughts to all,
Kevin
I just want express my condolences to Syd’s family and the members of Pink Floyd past and present. Please have respect, we will all be there someday.
Danojam
I lost my 18 year old brother and best friend Hans in 1990 and, even today, I remember the pain that resulted from inappropriate comments made by people who, quite frankly, were simply ill equipped to deal with such a thing. I choose to view these ‘faults’ in others as a lack of experience rather than believing people are intentionally malicious at heart.
I was deeply saddened to hear the news about Syd. I have been unable to find the words to express my grief about Syd’s passing; yet I cannot allow his death to pass without expressing my respect and gratitude for him. Therefore, I share with Syd and those who are grieving for him the same words that comforted me when I lost my brother:
There are no fixed limits
Time does not stand still;
Nothing endures
Nothing is final
In your end is your beginning
(Thomas Merton’s ‘The Way of Chuang Tzu’)
Syd’s life, talent, and influence impacted countless people in ways that could never be fully expressed. Thank you Syd for your contribution in making me a better person, you will never be forgotten.
Moving swiftly on
I just voted re PULSE or P.U.LS.E.
Can one vote more than once?
Re P.U.L.S.E. why the full stops? Real pain to type this way and what do the intials stand for. Sorry if I have missed the obvious, but using full stops transforms the term into abbreviations or that whats the perception will be and hence I smell another competition coming on
Ian Pearson
[I should hope it's one vote per person, Ian. As for the spelling, then I agree with you. There's no full-stop after the 'E' either, which is just plain crazy to my mind. I wonder if Rudders is as bothered by that as I am. - Features Editor]
Here here ED,
Very well said, let the pseudo fans and profiteers cry crocodile tears elsewhere I say.
Rgds Geoff Duffy ( Dublin )
Bravo !!! F’Ed
[Using the mental breakdown of your founding member for lyrics and profit isn't very nice either.]
Whoever wrote the above statement, copied from an earlier blog, should be ashamed of themselves. It was a needless and awful thing to say at such a time.
I know I should have ignored this dickhead but some things really piss me off.
Pete – Coventry
Ciao,
I have have already posted my tribute to Syd last week. you can go and see it. I expressed compassion for the man (who cares about the artist). The one who died was an old man, that’s what people doesn’t understand at times. A man as everyone else. As David, for example.
Can I express my opinion? Sometimes too many compliments about how David is good, is perfect etc. etc. are excessive as much as someone asking a reunion over a tragic fact like the death of another human being. Who really knows the man David Gilmour? or any other Floyd? or Syd Barrett? So how do you know why Syd has been helped for a record, or why royalties are given? I mean, why you all bark out loud so much?
Personally, even if I am disgusted by those who ask a reunion I think it is normal to happen. This happens when people become icons…there are fans, many fans…and someone is stupid. Not evil, just stupid.
Now, I exactly know what will happen over the death of Syd. Record companies having the copyrights over Syd’s material will make promotions, repackaging, collections, ANYTHTING to get money out of him. A lot of people will make money out of Syd’s death, as it happened before with Kurt Kobain or Freddie Mercury….
So all the “pure” people here, who point their fingers to Mister B (I think this is his name) and others like him, all these people are really sure that Syd was and his sorrounded only by people who care about him? Will these people stop the business of re-edition of old stuff? will refuse their part of the cake? and you, YOU, will boycott all that? Books and memorabilia, etc?
Think, think…..
ciao :-)
Piergiorgio.
I wonder why Breathe is credited as “Breathe in the air” now? Is this new?
PS: Sound and video quality are brilliant
[I wondered the same thing, Koen. I don't know what that's all about. - Features Editor]
For crying out loud, let’s look at everything in perpective please!! When I read about all the ‘teacheres’ remarks that are being made in this forum, I am suddenly starting to think that you people think that everything that’s involved with Pink Floyd or it’s members is the most important stuff in the World. Wake up please and do not try to tell other people how they should behave, since we got enough Bush, Blair etc, persons in this world telling us what is right and what is wrong!!
Somehow I can’t help thinking about the lyrics from the Wall’s song: The happiest days of our lives.
Greetings from somewhere in the Netherlands.
Dear FED
I really want to thank you for what you do here. You have managed to bring this blog-site a way far from any other of the same sort, this must be recognized. I’m sure I’m not the only one in seeing how deep and respectful we go into conversations.
Reading the article about Rosemary Barrett’s bio on his brother should make everybody remember that anyone, even if he/she is a rockstar, or any sort of public person, is always in the end like anybody else, just a person, with his/her ups and downs, and, as such, should always be respected.
Too often fans see just the icon, and forget to consider the real human being behind that icon.
The icon could be happy to become a flag and to produce autographs to the world, the human being could definitely not.
Have a look at these and think about the meaning of it:
Opera “Pagliacci” – R. Leoncavallo – 1892
Movie “Ridi, pagliaccio!” – C. Mastrocinque – 1941
Song “Ridi Pagliaccio” – Mina – 1988
One day last week will always be etched in my memory. I just received my set of P.U.L.S.E DVDs. Full of expectation, I put them in the DVD drive. In this moment, a mail message from a friend came in. It contained only three words: “Syd is dead”.
No, that can’t be true, I thought. Syd can never be dead. I checked David Gilmours homepage – and saw that it was true. I took a moment in silence, before I watched the DVDs.
As I watched the great P.U.L.S.E show, I realized that what Syd started lives on. It turned out that my thoughts were right: As long as some people play his music, and other listen to it, Syd is not dead. Syd can never be dead.
I am looking foreward to see David and his band next week at the Clam castle. Seeing them in a more familiar atmosphere than during the PF tours, on a great site at the at the foot of a impressive medieval castle, near the place I live, is a dream come true for me.
And the spirit of Syd will be with us. I am sure.
Can I just randomly say that I am still regularly listening to On an Island and havent tired of it at all at all. Sure sign of a classic album.
It’s gettin pretty damn close to my holiday to Venice and the excitement is beginning to build!
outdoor DG and friends, can it get any better than that!!
Hi Fed,
and Well said.
Reminds me of a joke Mike Harding used to tell about a mate who lent another friend a tin of peas, the friend then passed away. The first friend went around the deceased house, his missus let him in thinking he was going to pay his last respects…..the “friend ” then says to the deceased missus did he mention anything about a tin of peas before he died?
These so called fans of Syd/David/Richard/Nick & Roger remind me of that joke somehow!!
to alice n.: well said. david has created many syd fans and what duilio says proves this. i can’t believe that anyone would question the motives of a man who could sell a house for millions and discretely give it all away to crisis – and then only reluctantly give a press conference to help raise the profile of crisis further because they pleaded with him to. give david a break. we all loved syd as fans but david did more for him than all of us did combined.
Going back to .P.U.L.S.E. for a moment, I’ve been watching some of the songs on the new DVD set and have been comparing them with the studio tracks on the Echoes CD’s. Have you ever listened to ‘live’ tracks of other bands and artists and compared them to studio ones; they’re often very different and can be pretty awful.
So how do the .P.U.L.S.E. numbers stack up against that scenario? I reckon that I listen to Comfortably Numb, Time and Wish You Were Here about three times per day, every day, so you kind of get to know your way round them. (It’s not an obsession on my part, as I’m simply pouring some more brain lubricant into my ears!)
Well, they are undoubtedly different, but actually better and have an altogether richer sound with greater depth. Of course the video element with those superb lighting effects adds to the whole experience, but even with my eyes closed, that added depth is still there; and I’m only playing them on my laptop with a pair of headphones, not on a widescreen plasma TV with surround sound..
It says a lot about David and the team’s thorough professionalism and high standards that .P.U.L.S.E. is such a good product. On that basis, the forthcoming Royal Albert Hall DVD set should be a real treat for us all.
Vince Carr in London.
It saddens me that people would use Syd’s departure to (predictably) please for a reunion, or to plug their own agenda. It is not a time to be selfish. They – like us – will mourn the passing of their friend in their own way.
I have been listening to the work of Pink Floyd and their members to the exclusion of almost everybody else this week. That’s a fitting enough tribute.
I for one don’t see any point in any reunion, and having seen the final London show in May, I’m not sure that a reunion would be a good idea – if only for people like me in the audience, who tired of the less respectful members.
During “High Hopes” I sat four seats or so from someone who insisted on ‘singing’ the opening piano notes offkey and out of time, the occasional interjections of people who waited for David’s solos, before yelling “DAVE IS GOD!” (Tsk, it’s ‘David’, not Dave).
There were countless similar moments – ever heard the four note riff of “Shine On” rendered in your ear by someone who’s had a bit too much to drink and thinks you came to hear him? Magnify that to 50,000 or 100,000 people… an unpleasant experience for people who actually like to hear the music.
That aside, of course, the performance was brilliant. But no, the time for reunions is not now. Live for today and for the future – for that is where we are and where we are going to be.
Hi Fed again,
My thoughts on the P.U.L.S.E DVD i loved the concert brilliant.
As for the Bootlegging the bootleggers i found it a strange experience I think i understand why David now prefers to play in smaller venues, logistics apart. i could here the audience whooping & shouting above the music in some cases which must have been frustrating for the band.
“The end of life as we know it” had some interesting snippets, i enjoyed all the bits with members of the band & their families & the aircraft hanger setting up bit too but generally it was a like watching teenagers on a drunken friday night being let loose with a Camcorder.
Nick looked very miserable throughout dont you think?. Typical isn’t it, our thirst for knowledge regarding all things Floyd knows no bounds & when its presented to us on a golden platter we still moan…tut tut
Im sure i will play the concert over & over again mind you, that was well worth the wait.
Hello Y’all:
I find it repulsive that anyone who posts on this excellent forum would even mention a Pink Floyd reunion at this time ( or ever for that matter ). I also agree that the members of Pink Floyd should be allowed to mourn Syds passing in thier own ways.
F’ed , edit these sick people and their non-contributing post to hell.
Chuck , just sayin’
Piergiogio,
Why do I get a sad feeling by reading your posts, that you always have cynical views about everything ?
On a larger way, I think we all ought to be more tolerant, more positive, nobody is either all black or all white…( =french expression, maybe bad translated in english, sorry…)
Michèle
[So all the "pure" people here, who point their fingers to Mister B (I think this is his name) and others like him, all these people are really sure that Syd was and his sorrounded only by people who care about him? Will these people stop the business of re-edition of old stuff? will refuse their part of the cake? and you, YOU, will boycott all that? Books and memorabilia, etc? - Posted by: Piergiorgio at July 18, 2006]
NOBODY here thinks they are “pure” as you put it! We were expressing a reaction to a crass and disrespectful post by B Smith.
There has always been a rise in sales of artists work who have passed on everyone knows that.
However you cannot suggest we share any of the opinions of B Smith! Just because the record companies choose now to re-release Syd’s music and some fans will buy it. That has no reflection on whether they care about Syd or not.
Interest in an artist always rises for a time after they are gone, and I expect many more people who hear about Syd now (unfortunately due to him passing on) will be fans of the future.
Don’t forget David was one of the few artists that refused to profit from live8, and if there were to be a tremendous upsurge in sales with the Floyds first 2 albums David only has one track on Saucerful! so I don’t think you will find any of Syd’s royalties will go to him.
Finally you mention about David not being perfect, well to a lot of us on here he is quite frankly, for me his guitar playing is as good as it gets I have loved his music my whole life.
So you must expect to read these type opinions on here, it is the David Gilmour fan blog after all!.
Just so you know I would have taken exception to a post like B Smith’s, no matter what fan site it was posted on.
Sorry FEd this will be my last post responding to these people, I am starting to get on my own nerves now.
Have I missed wise words from Rudders?
And at the end of the day isnt it obvious that “Glassman” is wisest of us all – nothing concealed and silent!
Ian Pearson
[Glassman is looking absolutely radiant today, Ian. He loves the sunshine. - Features Editor]
Well said FEd…
Notwithstanding the few bad apples which had to be weeded out, it was wonderful to read so many positive messages from so many people. Syd’s influence was, and will continue to be, incredibly far-reaching and that can only be a good thing.
Many thanks for the opportunity to pay our respects.
Kxx
Dear Fed,
Thank you so much for expressing your views so clearly!!!!!! My respect for you (& lots of other bloggers) is immense.
I just wished that other people would have the same respect for Syd & not use the space that you so kindly provided for us to leave our thoughts & pay our respects to this incredible gifted man, for their own “needs” (i.e. reunion etc….)
Well said & let us please remember Syd/Roger for the songs, visions & the legacy he left & how he moved us.
As for the P.U.L.S.E DVD, I am amazed with the sound. Bootlegging the Bootleggers actually gives you a very good feeling of being a member of the audience & I think that the screen film they used for Marooned (whale) is just stunning & gives the song even more depth (if that is in any way possible).
Like more people, I wished that “Say Goodbye to Life as we know it” could have had more interviews, tour facts etc….., but I do respect the decision to include this to give us an indication of life on the road, not only for the band, but also for the many people working behind the scene, without whom such a wonderful show would not be possible.
Respect!!
Respect for Syd/Roger, for the band he gave us (how they enriched our lives)& respect for you Fed (& all the fellow fans/bloggers who understand when to say what).
Peace,
Stef.
Simply i will learn to play one of the song that i didn’t know before David’s gig in RFH in 2002.
“dominoes”, and i think is all that we could do…remember and play this songs.
PS:i hope this song will have more chanches with girls on the beaches but i’m not so confident…i think that future requests will be “more than words” or similar !!!!$%# !!
ciao with a smile
Hi all,
I don’t know what inspired me, but somewhere between this unbearable heat and Syd’s passing I thought we could all do with a small smile. I started doing it seriously then quickly descended into silliness. Anyone want to do the 2nd verse?
When that fat old sun in the sky is burning
London Noontime rays are roasting
All the UK and everywhere,
The feel of heat on my skin
Humid haze
Cold ice cream tastes so sweet
In the shadow cooling down
Roll me up and chill me out
And if you move
Don’t try to stand
Leave the heat and stick around
And if you feel as the hot day unfolds
The stickyness from a pit unsprayed
Run from me
Run from me
N
Michele,
I am sorry if you get sad reading my posts. It is not my intention at all to sicken people. I can be a very funny guy and many times I am. :-)
But I am cynical, you are right. _What can I say? I am a very passionate guy, I find difficult not to express my opinion. But I think out of the chorus. Example? One guy posted against those so called “cretins” last week (and I think was named victor). no one else.
then Fed says his opinion and EVERYONE shouting to those as cretins.
Moreover it seems to me that people speak of Mr. David Gilmour as they live in the same house where lives..he is good in this, he is good in that…”Exageration” is the word in this blog since sometime. And I don’t like much.
Ciao :-)
Hello Fed hello eveyrone
I totally agree with you but I would also like to ask how syds family david, rick and nick and their respective families are, I hope this isnt deemed inappropiate but I think they must be going through a great deal I would to let them know that they are in my thoughts, as im sure is true of many of you out there.
RobynS
PS changed my name as their were 2 robyns
[Thank you. I'm sure they all know that many people are thinking of them. - Features Editor]
[Don't forget David was one of the few artists that refused to profit from live8, and if there were to be a tremendous upsurge in sales with the Floyds first 2 albums David only has one track on Saucerful! so I don't think you will find any of Syd's royalties will go to him]
I knew my post would have rasied objections. that’s fine I don’t get offended. But This is an example of what I mean when people are gloryfing MR. David Gilmour.I am here because I like his music. As a man I don’t know him! I cannot know and frankly I don’t care much. It seems you know everything.
[Glassman is looking absolutely radiant today, Ian. He loves the sunshine. - Features Editor]
I have been meaning to ask for a while now, are you going to make Glasswoman Ian? I expect Glassman is feelin a little lonely by now
(
I know FEd can keep him company but it’s not the same as having a good woman to nag ahem! I mean love him is it?
(no offence FEd) I’m sure your very pretty, it’s just you have the wrong errm attachments? to really put a marble in glassmans pocket.
[No offence taken, James. - Features Editor]
“ULTIMA SEMPER EXPECTANDA HOMINI DIES EST” (Ovidius)
You were a rare pearl and Your inspirer Muse. In spite of his disease and his absence you all Bandmates loved and remembered him ever after. You all are the custodian of his essence by your masterpieces.
I offer my condolences to Mr.Gilmour, Mr.Mason, Mr.Wright and Mr.Waters, to families, collaborators and friends too.
“Together we stand, divided we fall”
I wonder why Breathe is credited as “Breathe in the air” now? Is this new?
is it possibly because they are ALL creditted as writing the piece now as opposed to when it came out? i believe Nick wasn’t creditted originally.
F*Ed ~
Do you know why Billy Corgan is on The P.U.L.S.E DVD?
I mean I like his segment but is there a connection that would make him be exclusively included over any other musician or Floyd historian?
Just wondering, thanks…
Matt
[I believe he's a fan. I don't know why he was invited to usher Pink Floyd into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but he made a very nice speech at the ceremony. - Features Editor]
Can someone tell what this guy is on??!?!?!? (click my name).
I have left a comment unlikely to get posted, but hey. He had it coming!!
Flying Pig:
Yup – the website also has words to the effect of ‘tickets being made available at the venue box office for collection any time from 5.30pm’ but had this confirmed when I spoke to Gerard Druout Pdns.
If you have an e-mail confirmation with booking number you should be fine, but maybe call to double check if you’re travelling from afar.
N
Well said F.Ed ! It’s about time those inconsiderate sods were told where to get off !
Respect to you, D.G et al !
dear Piergiorgio,
I’m sorry to read your words…because you’re one of my italian blog’s friend and I’d like to agree with you always. But not this time…I’m sorry! I understand what you mean to say, but I think that if someone makes some good action we could give him credit for that, and the same way people could fight when there is some injustice.
And I think that what David and Pink Floyd did with “Wish you were here” was a sign of love for their friend and not just a profit work. At the same, during the Live 8 wasnt’ necessary that they named Syd, because their reunion was just a great event and it don’t need more spot. And I was reallly surprised and moved when I listen Roger Waters who named Syd. I think there wasn’t profit in this. And the same for David’s shows.
No one is perfect and pure, but when you listen people talk you start to have an opinion about the things they said. And you loved someone you listen more than something else. And when I listen David I love what he says more than when I listen other singers…that’s all! Anyway, we are italian…so we can agree about what wonderful locations Venice and Florence are for David’s show!
Have a great day, mate!
L!
[I knew my post would have rasied objections. that's fine I don't get offended. But This is an example of what I mean when people are gloryfing MR. David Gilmour.I am here because I like his music. As a man I don't know him! I cannot know and frankly I don't care much. It seems you know everything. - Posted by: piergiorgio at July 18, 2006 01:09 PM]
Man what the hell are you talking about? Who on this blog said they Know David Gilmour personally? (except for Rick, Guy and Jon that is
) I was obviously referring to the comments made about some people around Syd profiteering from his passing.
All I said was David would not be any part of that, I do not have to know him personaly to say this, and it is not glorifying him in any way whatsoever.
There is a big difference between having an opinion and being opinionated you seem to be sailing too close to the latter.
How about saying NOTHING negative whatsoever in your next post try it you might even like it?
Sorry again FEd but this guy didn’t seem to understand what I was saying at all.
“When that fat old sun in the sky is burning
London Noontime rays are roasting
All the UK and everywhere,
The feel of heat on my skin
Humid haze
Cold ice cream tastes so sweet
In the shadow cooling down
Roll me up and chill me out
And if you move
Don’t try to stand
Leave the heat and stick around
And if you feel as the hot day unfolds
The stickyness from a pit unsprayed
Run from me
Run from me”
” Take a Break , take a big break now!!!!! ”
Sorry Nick just having a laugh .That’s actually quite good I was waiting for the new electric ending to swoop in there so I was.
Rgds Geoff Duffy ( The Maldives… Sorry I mean Dublin )
Hey Michèle,
are you coming in Italy for holiday? Wow! You’ll love my wonderful country! Venice is fantastic, and Florence, and Rome…I hope you’re going to visit a lot of place and, above all, I hope you’ll meet nice people, because italians can be really funny and nice. ENJOY, my dear! And if you came to Rome, don’t forget the night sight of San Peter, Castel Sant’Angelo and piazza Venezia…and good dinner in Trastevere, of course!
ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!
L!
- No problem with you, Piergiogio, I try (not always easily, of course) to respect anyone and anyone’s opinion, so thank you for having answered me, I just think life could be easier and nicer if everyone could be in the same time passionate and lucid, but without being cynical. But maybe the words “passionate” and “lucid” don’t go together, I think so. And, over all, it’s better to be passionate…
No hard feelings.
- [he made a very nice speech at the ceremony - Features editor]
But, there are no translations in foreign languages in Pulse, so I didn’t understand anything in Billy Corgan’s speech…
Michèle
Speaking of “Bootlegging the Bootleggers”, I wonder if anyone (Fed?) has any idea at which shows (what location, date) these videos have been taken.
(Seeing and hearing “Marooned” – albeit in poor quality, compared to the P.U.L.S.E main video – was a pleasant surprise!)
Thanks, Corvus
[Pass. - Features Editor]
Never being allowed to listen to R&R until the age of 14, I had no clue what was going on. Musically life was exploding with the late 60′s early 70′s. so much to catch up on when the time came that i could discover. Shine On was the first vinyl I bought and was drawn, who are these people and since then I am pleased I found Pink Floyd from then to now.
Life goes on, Syd will always be part of the thought when I see anything done by Floyd, be it together or separate. The loss of Syd I tend to think will be, is, for that matter a devastating thing. But I also believe that now we will see each of the remaining PF family shine on in their wonderous ways for us to relish in.
this past weekend Syd and Pink Floyd was a great amount of conversation, playin cd’s on the pontoon while crusing down the river at night. it was a magical thing for me. A time to reflect on what I knew and saw and a time to wonder on whats going to happen now. how will this infuence the music to come…….
I had the opportunity to see PF 2 times in Chicago, got to see Mr Gilmour’s On An Island here in the spring. did I expect to see the majority of the band mates, heck no. When I sat down and they came on,,, OMG! what a treat! now this September I will go see R. Waters. Which to me is probably most fitting especially now.
For those who demand a reunion, I am sorry they must live in the past and are caught in a cross fire of what was and is. We must respect the thinking of now. Syd will be a part of all that comes to us thru each of PF’s remaining brilliance. Each have their own musical mastery that I for one will relish in no matter if they are singular or semi collective.
I do thank God for Syd. He is the one that began it all. I also believe that we are all blessed with the knowledge when we see Mr. Gilmour—-if we close our eyes and listen we will always see Syd shining down from a place far away, smiling in contentment.
[One guy posted against those so called "cretins" last week (and I think was named victor). no one else. Then Fed says his opinion and EVERYONE shouting to those as cretins.]
Well I can’t speak for everyone, only for myself, but those posts made me sick the first time I read them. After that I just stopped reading the blog.
I didn’t react at the spot when I read those demands because I didn’t think an obituary was the right place to start that kind of discussion.
So I am not saying this because it is FEd’s opinion. I don’t need FEd to tell me what to think. FEd wouldn’t dare doing that anyway, as I think he/she is a very smart person and has already figured out that I will not be told by anyone what to think anyway. I have a perfectly good, well funtioning brain for that myself.
I am also about the last person to suck up to anyone (unless it was in a joking way). I think sucking up is bad for ones self-respect and I personally don’t enjoy being sucked up to very much myself, so why would I want to do that to someone else?
After having said this, I do think FEd is doing a fantastic job, and even though it must have been fun a lot of times, I would think last week must have been absolute hell for him/her and a little respect for all that work is not out of order.
I can totally understand why he/she felt the need to say this after having been forced to read those selfish posts. And I am not surprised so many people felt the same need to ditto it.
Now, if you don’t mind, you people are giving me a headache, so could we stop fighting over someones passing now?
Bianca – (has been in better moods)
[But the finest art is often produced by people whose minds don’t work in quite the same way as the rest of us, by people from whom you might not wish to buy a tin of beans.]
Hey Ripper,
that guy was smart. His opinion is out of chorus and I like the sentence above. He expressed well my idea of what art is…
Ciao :-)
Piergiorgio, You actually, in my opinion, raise some valid points. But you say you enjoy Davids music but yet do not know him. I have never met the man myself but surly you must get an idea of the workings of the man through listening to him. If you dont then that surprises me.
Pete – Coventry
Lucia,
opinions are there to be different. And we should be able to be friends, or “virtual” friends even with different opinions. So I like to hear criticism about what I say. Moreover your way to criticize what I said is far too nice.. :-)
I think u understood what I meant, anyway. I simply pointed out that we say cretin to someone who is doing to Syd what the Music Business will do to Syd: use his memory.
Firenze and Venezia are beautiful, all our country is….
ciao :-)
Hi F.Ed,
You sure do have some patience to tolerate alot of what comes across the screen these days. Hats off to you
Maybe there should be a committee of sorts comprised of a handful of veteran bloggers to field this stuff for you. They could be called CCR, or Cretins’ Clear-worded Rebuttal.
Anyways, hang in there, F.Ed, have a good day
Mike
[Thank you, Mike. The same to you. - Features Editor]
Ciao a tutti,
Ok today most of you got nervous because of me. SORRY MATES!!!!
To bianca: Fed criticized the cretin for all of us. that was enough don’t you think? And sorry, will try to be nicer.
To Pete: God bless you, today I was going to be killed right where I stand. Thanks. Yes, anyway you are right, it SEEMS that DG is a good man. But Roger Waters doesn’t seem funny…I love his music anyway ;-)
Ciao :-)
I’d like to “echo” what so many have said and express my thanks to you, FEd, for all your hard work and efforts last week. I hope you got the chance to have some quiet time over the weekend. You put in many late hours at such a difficult time — that’s hard duty to pull — so you certainly didn’t need to wade through such insensitivity.
As I’ve said before, some artists have blogs like this one — but they are usually reserved for annual dues-paying subscribers. David has given us so much by providing this space free of charge, and open to the public. It’s an incredible gift, and one I appreciated even more last week. I had heard the news at work and was stunned. Knowing that I could go home and spend time with the blog really helped me to keep going that day. We have such a wonderful thing here! Thanks again, FEd, for all your tireless work.
Also, to Rui — I’m so sorry to hear about your neighbor. You’re in my thoughts today.
Hi f.ed, hi everyone.
I am sorry to hear that you have been upset by some comments regarding Roger’s passing. Some of them were at best distasteful and at worst, well I had better not say! Sometimes though people do react to sad news in somewhat strange ways, remember Macca’s comment about John Lennon’s murder being ‘a drag’
I was strolling through Cambridge this afternoon on my way to get a book signed by my favourite author when I noticed a headline in the local rag. It said “pink floyd syd’s funeral – pictures inside” now you can imagine what I thought, I was horrified that the Barrett family’s privacy had been invaded. However on closer inspection I’m pleased to say it just had a couple of photo’s of some flowers sent by neighbours so the headline was very misleading, I’m glad it was in this case.
Ok! I have just argue with some of my colleagues….there are behaviors that I can’t stand….in this moment I’m a bit angry and I need to relax myself….and I’m relaxing…and I’m thinking that I CAN’T NEVER STAND THIS YEAR AND THIS UNBEARABLE DAILY JOB IF I WOULDN’T HAVE MY DAILY BLOG DATE!
Maybe David is not a perfect person, but he gave me this blog and he saves my psycological balance in the last 8 months! Even if I think that now I have a lot of repressed anger! ;-)
but THANKS DAVID, THANKS FED, THANKS EVERYONE WHO WRITE IN THIS BLOG TOO!
And now: WHERE ARE THE KEYS OF THE BARN! I WANT LIVE IN THE BARN! Now I go to smoke a lot of cigarettes…and then I book a flight to Wales….have a great evening….the barn, please. the barn…
L!
I don’t want to get into trouble or incur the wrath of Gilmour, but I wish to God and pray that Syd left a tape laying around with some more beautiful music. The world is a scary place. My life as a bi-polar lunatic is scary. I have found a comfortable spot listening to Barrett’s tunes (and Dave’s… and Roger’s) and I can’t help wishing for a happy day to come with more Syd tunes. Does anybody else in here feel the way I do?
Piergiorgio,
I’m happy you understand that I didn’t want to argue with you…and anyone can have his/her own opinion…because unfortunatly I used to write in english in this blog…and my english is terrible…I think that if I have written in italian, I’d had be more persuasive! ;-)
Have a great evening!
L!
Dear F,Ed,
Well said my man. Its about time somoene stood up and made there voice heard and you did it. Well done and thank you.
Well I sat and watched the whole of the P.U.L.S.E. DVD between callouts and emergencies and have to say it was awesome. My video of the concert wore out long ago so it was great to finally be able to play it again. I must use this space however to appologise to my neighbour (Sorry Doreen) for singing and having the DVD up loud. I do appologise old girl.
I voted on the poll (excellent by the way) but I would like to add that I would like to have seen the BBC2 documentry that was shown on TV just before the 1994 Earls Court Concert (The old grey matter is fading but am sure I remember it being shown). Was a very interesting documentry which I feel would have been perfect to have been an addtion to the DVD. Oh well beggars cant be choosers. Still the DVD is great.
[An Omnibus special and fine it was, too. I remember it well. - Features Editor]
piergiorgio,
[Hey Ripper, that guy was smart.]
I am not saying he is stupid P, what I felt strongly about was the following (among other swipes at post Barrett Pink Floyd (ALL of their records by the sound of it):
But as we should have predicted, back then, it is a certain sort of rock music that has prevailed; it is the stuff of Pink Floyd once poor Syd Barrett had burnt out and retreated back to the basement of his mum’s house in Cambridge, the Pink Floyd of that tone-deaf dullard’s manifesto, Dark Side of the Moon; in short, it is rock music without the only things that made rock music worth listening to — the risk, the originality, the danger, the rare instances of complexity of meaning.
Pretty much this guy thinks that DSOTM,WYWH,the wall,Division Bell etc. Is dull lifeless boring unoriginal music. I understand this is his take on the music and he has grouped PF with all other rock bands of the 70′s 80′s etc, but I and Millions of other people are totally in disagreement, I mean do you think that credible art critics say that a picasso is a crap little monotone 5 year old scribble???
I think not. What I do think is that the guy has missed the art and originality of many of Pink Floyd’s fine works, I also am beginning to regret not posting this as my comment to the paper as he probably thinks of me as a moron. But to be honest I do not really give a stuff about his opinion of me.
Anyway this is getting a bit long winded, and I am not one to drag things out, so feel free to reply to this comment. I will read it, but will not respond to it.
Who are Lucy and Ricky? I think FEd and I could be very similar to Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner! I feel like Wile E. Coyote when I argue with him! I fight, but the roadrunner always wins!
L!
[Beep beep! - Features Editor]
********** IMPORTANT! **********
DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE READING POLLY’S NOVEL, ‘OUT OF THE PICTURE’.
I’d like to say to my dear friend Bianca that….I WOULD HAVE CHOOSEN THE MAGICIAN AT THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM! I’m speaking about Polly’s book, of course! At the end Lizzie did the good choice…but I have think she was an “idiot” for the first 50 pages! How can she stayed with a man like Tony? And she seemed so…passive and inept. The Magician was the right choice: I bet he knows who make happy a girl. Young, cute, funny, magic…every day a surprise and flowers from his top hat! Great! Now I go home, but tomorrow I’d like to continue…if you agree…
Sweet dreams my dears!
L!
Can someone tell what this guy is on??!?!?!?
Ripper,
Your nightmare dinner party guest! Not funny, not clever, supercilious, negative, condescending, arrogant, elitist (but not part of any elite) …. Does he do it deliberately (to wind me up!)or this really what he thinks?
Poor sod probably never got a shag.
I don’t know what he’s on but I know where his head is stuck.
Phew …. , I just needed to get that out.
(Bloggers, do read it before you judge me).
I shall now return to my usual state of mild-mannered equanimity.
So…
The story so far… The Origins of “SUPERFED”.
Born of necesity out of a dark time comes “SuperFEd”, ready to right wrongs and dischage justice.
As a uniform to protect his secret identity a Scarecrow Mask, with perhaps, a Cloak or Cape streaming out behind like a College scarf!
Able to encompass the globe with a stroke of his mighty keyboard.
Well Done our Hero. And Hear Hear.
[You lot make me laugh at times. I'll base my new costume on SuperTed's. - Features Editor]
-Fed didn’t put any comment on discussions this afternoon, and I understand him very well (le silence est d’or…) What a wonderful but sometimes thankless work you do, Fed, total respect!
- Lucia, no, I don’t go to Italy for holidays, but only for a week-end (three days): our wedding anniversary travel offered by family and friends ! Venezia, what a fantastic idea !!!
You know I can’t go to Italy for a long time, as I have to be in France for David’s concert on July, 31st…can’t miss it, of course…
Hey, a good dinner in Trastevere … what or where is that ???
Michèle
Corvus and F.Ed, I can inform you that Marooned is from Valle Hovin, Oslo, Norway on either the 29th or 30th of August 1994. This was the only shows that Marooned was played. As far as I know it was done as a protest to Norwegian whaling. As I said in a post on July 10th – This is probably the only good thing that has come out of being a whale hunting country.
I’m not sure where the other bootleg recordings are from, but we’ll probably find out eventually. Maybe someone in the “Gilmour Camp” can check with James Guthrie? By the way, he has done an incredible job on the production as he always do. I’m really impressed with his efforts on all remasterings and productions over the years….
I will, when I get the time, find out if Marooned is from the 29th or the 30th or if it is a combination of the two nights.
Hope it helps you a bit!
Cheers!
JT
[Thanks for that, mate. - Features Editor]
Stroppy Tosser….hmm I like that one. I’ll use that tomorrow! LOL!!!
About P.U.L.S.E., I’ve listened to the CD all the time, but am rediscovering it on DVD! I forgot how beautiful the visuals were (and can see why David doesn’t want to lug all that crap around again!).
Oh, FEd, sign me up for the CCR Team Mike from Michigan mentioned….
..as always, “all da’best to you’se guys” (said in my best New York accent)
Please allow me to speak for all of Mr. Barrett’s fans by extending our love and prayers to Rosemary Breen and those who were closest to him; it is my sincerest hope that his spirit might rejoice in the happiness he has given to us all with his music and imagery. I too am a nurse and Mrs. Breen’s shared insights that her brother had found peace speak to her compassion, not just towards him, but towards the rest of us who so wanted to know he was alright while respecting his space.
Be at peace, and thank you.
eddy dyer lowell, MA USA
It’s nice to have a forum like this where fans can share their enjoyment of good music. Thank you, Features Editor, for your work on this.
I have to say that I do very much see where Piergiorgio is coming from in his posts today. Although this takes things in a slightly different direction from the discussion on Syd and Pink Floyd, it has often occurred to me that we really do tend to oversensationalize the lives of celebrities (whether in music, sports, or film/television). They may be talented at what they do, yes, but are they more deserving of our praise than a good teacher? A good doctor? A good plumber? A good parent?
We’re all in need of respect and love and support in this world, and yet it seems, ironically, that those who are already extremely well-off financially and who will never in their lives find themselves short of praise or attention, are the ones that we feel most compelled to give more praise, more attention, and, frequently, more money.
Yes, Syd recorded some remarkable and inspiring music, as has the rest of Pink Floyd. His life story too was marred by some unfortunate circumstances and he, clearly, dealt with some significant emotional difficulties brought on by his drug problems and perhaps by fame itself. The romanticized notion of Syd as displaced musical legend has captured the attention and imagination of his many fans, but the last thing Mr. Barrett himself wanted or needed was to be idolized to no end.
Think of the many people in the world who could haved really benefited from the attention and positive energy that was heaped, for decades, upon Syd. Think of the homeless. It’s a crazy world where famous rock stars and actors, however talented they may be, have so, so much, and so many others around the world have so, so little.
The gap between the wealthy and the impoverished has never been so great as it is now, and, thanks in part to the culture of celebrity we have allowed to develop in recent years, this stark disparity between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ continues to flourish.
There’s nothing wrong with liking good music (I speak as a great fan of Pink Floyd), but when it comes right down to it, as I believe Piergiorgio was trying to point out, there are other important things as well. If even a quarter of all the money, time, and passion that we as a society invest in celebrities (who need our adulation about as much as a dog needs chocolate), was instead devoted to recognizing and celebrating the good in everyone we meet and interact with, supporting worthy charities (directly), and working to make our world a better place by eradicating some of the many real problems plaguing facing our world today (crime, war, drugs, homelessness, starvation, disease, an increasingly toxic environment), we would all be the better for it.
Like many, I feel that music is incredibly inspirational, and it is a very important part of my life. I am just proposing that there is no better tribute to the power of music than to be inspired by it to make positive changes in our own lives, our communities, and our world. The individual members of Pink Floyd probably couldn’t care less about how great we may think they are or were. They have their own families and friends who provide them with all the emotional support they will ever need. If we are inspired by their music, let’s take this inspiration and do positive things with it in our own lives and our own communities. The homeless man, woman, or child begging for food on the streets is as deserving of our attention, admiration, and support as any celebrity you can name.
This is just my two cents and I’ve no doubt that others will take exception, as they may have with Piergiorgio’s posting. I felt compelled to post because I wanted to echo Piergiorgio’s sentiments and provide a bit of the reasoning for my thoughts on this. Thank you.
[I hope no one takes exception. That's perfectly fair and the funny thing is that David would agree completely. Thanks for that, Kent. - Features Editor]
Ciao a tutti.
Ripper I understood your position. but I also understand the journalist. I do think that he is smart because he explained his opinions. A critic/review is not a tribute to the legion of fans that an artist has, otherwise journalists whould be speaking of Madonna as pure fine art!! My opinion is obviously the one of a Pink floyd fan who knows each and every song. But my meter to measure a review is how it is written, which points are raised. And to me where the author syas that Art and the Man behind his art are to be kept separate is (common but) well written. I do believe that a credible art critic is expressing HIS opinion, not telling me what I want to hear.
One of the first reviews I read about the Pink Floyd whole Opera was destroying the group, But I got even more passionate about it…..
Ciao :-)
This site has had me coming back for some time – I love it. It is very well put together and I appreciate the effort that has gone into it by the designers and maintainers.
I was pretty shocked at ‘Syd’ / Rogers death. I could not understand why – I never knew him,he suffered some terrible demons mentally… and I found some of his music ‘difficult’.
Why should I miss such a person – those qualities are surely not something to ‘miss’ in someone.
Finally I realised that – without that person ,without that brilliance he exuded with the lyric and the note I wouldn’t have enjoyed 15 years of music from the collective he started…
I think it was the thought of not having all the enjoyment of that music that made me sad.
Rich
Dear FedEd & everyone,
Very sorry to hear the world has lost such a gifted man. we are all very lucky to have had him share his talent, art, and genius with us. MY condolences and sympathy to his family and dear friends. I am grateful that I can listen to Roger (Syd)’s music and lyrics whenever I desire.
Just watched the DVD P.U.L.S.E. and it is fantastic!! I agree with a previous comment that the audience seemed disinterested until the encore songs, then it rocked!! I’ll be expanding my collection soon, as this is my first DVD.
I’m taking my children to see Roger Waters concert here in Indy in September. Wouldn’t I love to fly to Venice and see David in concert!!
This is a great blog. I’ll be checking back in often.
Blessed Be,
Toni
[WHERE ARE THE KEYS OF THE BARN! I WANT LIVE IN THE BARN!]
Can I come with you?
Bad things happened in my town yesterday. Two people died during something that should have been fun. It reminded me of a trauma of my own, where nine people died only a few feet behind me during a rock concert.
I think this summer is a little cruel on me, so I could use a little get-away.
Sorry to be such a downer
Hugs, Bianca
Ciao,
Kent, you expressed my thoughts much better than I did. your way of expressing it was far better, more structured and less “nervous”. your calm and less provoking attitude maybe will make people think more than I did.
you also expressed some other good points.and I agree on all of them.
Thanks very much, you gave to me even more to think about.
Ciao :-)
Piergiorgino,
I’m not here to have a go at you and I agree with your general thrust about both the need to guard against sycophancy and that the job of critics is not only to please the reader.
The problem I have with this review is that it is not smart. It makes a couple of valid observations (though hardly unique) but it is written in a very objectionable tone – to explain.
He takes the position that he looks down on “the public” – that to be popular MUST be bad because “ordinary people” like it. i.e He puts himself above the reader. He seems to see art only as an intellectual pursuit (because he is so clever of course) or as a part of the avant guarde.
He takes delight only in his own importance, his tone is condescending, he continually makes judgements that he does support. He demonstrates that it is easy to belittle and destroy, but he has nothing positive to say.
He looks down on conformity, but fails to see that he is himself peddling a cliched line of thought – that it would be “braver” of him to see both the good and the bad.
Not what I call smart I’m afraid.
let’s not get hooked up on this, but reviews like that make me want to spit.
Piergiorgio
Sorry mate. Mis-typed your name. No disrespect intended.
Thanks, F ED…
We are so glad that our intentions were not misconstrued. Our “agenda” is making the music available to all audiences, new & old. Continuing the saga for younger audiences to enjoy as well.
Music is the art which uses Time as it’s canvas and Sound as the brush & colors. We can truely understand it when we comprehend the circumstances which surround its inception. The “Time-frame” if you will, in which it was created.
It then becomes “Timeless” and classic such as the music of Roger Barrett & David Gilmour – forever etched in memory.
“P.U.L.S.E.” is an absolute Masterpiece, and we are so happy to have to have it available again with an added glimpse of polished perspective.
The Diamond Shines Brilliantly.
Peace & Love,
=RD=
Ciao Tim,
maybe I was in hurry and smart was not the right word. Moreover I am not english native speaker (as you realize from my frequent mistakes). Interesting postion…yes, looking down on the public is not very nice.
But what I like is the beautiful Piergiorgino.HAHAHAHAHA. Are you of Italian origin? or do you speak italian?
an occasion for an ITALIAN LESSON NUMBER 4 (I presume)
4 endings in italian -ino,-one, -etto, -accio (and relative feminine) to express respectively little, big, sweet (nice), bad (nasty).
little piergiorgio –> piergiorgino
big piergiorgio –> piergiorgione
sweet piergorgio –> piergiorgetto
bad piergiorgio –> piergiorgiaccio
End of ITALIAN LESSON NUMBER 4 (hahahaha)
Ciao :-)
little piergiorgio –> piergiorgino
big piergiorgio –> piergiorgione
sweet piergorgio –> piergiorgetto
bad piergiorgio –> piergiorgiaccio
I think all of these may come in useful at some stage !!
Piergiorgio and Tim,
your italian lessons are really fascinating! You’re mads!
BIANCA: YOU HAVE TO STAY IN THE BARN WITH ME! We run together in the green fields and we’ll stay far from the bad things of this strange world! …take care, mate!
L!
My band and I have decided to play “Wish you were here” in Syd’s honour during our rehearsals on July 13th.
It was important to express our admiration to a man who inspired us so much. Thanks to him I started understanding what really music means.
Shine on you, Syd… I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon…
I wish to offer an apology to DG and the band. Thank you FED for posting my remarks to Syd on the forum. I did make a plea for a reunion also, which you edited out. I love DG and PF. My request for a reunion was one made out of love for a band that I miss greatly, and my desperation at the moment overclouded my reason, may I say I had a ‘momentary lapse..’
[Everyone understands that, mate. No hard feelings. Thanks for that. - Features Editor]
Bianca, if you ever need a get-away I’m here =) It would be more of a large get-away then a “little” one though. We could trade evil secrets.
Kent, I really like your post, and I see where you are coming from. I tend to think most of us here, at least the “irregulars”, fall more on the side of being inspired by wonderful music. I feel pretty safe in saying that since I’ve met quite a few of the people here. Too bad that there is too many of the “others” that sometimes we can’t be seen.
~Erin
God bless Syd. I played “Wish you were here” a few days ago and dedicated it to him. I hope he’s in a better place now.
Over and out…..
Jason
I agree with the overall sentiment. Syd was one of the all-time great guitar players and is sorely missed. For anyone to exploit his prowess as a musician is inconscionable.
My condolences to the guys for their loss but I must also praise them for the pleasure they all brought us over the years. David is without doubt not only the most eloquent guitar player I can think of but also the most “elegant”.
Thank you, guys… you’ve enriched my life,
Don Foster
Hey Kent, that was a really great post. I loved it.
you said:
“We’re all in need of respect and love and support in this world, and yet it seems, ironically, that those who are already extremely well-off financially and who will never in their lives find themselves short of praise or attention, are the ones that we feel most compelled to give more praise, more attention, and, frequently, more money.”
There is a reason for that. I have given this ‘fame’ thing a lot of thought in my life. I think it is directly related to the ‘Survival of the fittest’ theory.
The attraction we feel for fame and power is an urge that was given to us by nature to ensure the strongest genes would be the ones to survive in next generations.
That is why our attention goes to the people that have already succeeded in something.
Not all urges that nature gave us are still good for us though. We are no longer animals. We are thinking beings that form a social group. Some of these urges are not beneficial to us as a society.
I like to think everyone is special in some way, even if it is not apparent to everyone at first glance. Therefore it is wrong to place specific individuals on a pedestal. It is okay to admire them for their talents and accomplishments but the desire to be close to them to be able to be part of their fame somehow is an urge we should all fight.
I don’t believe in fame-by-proxy anyway. If the main reason people like you is because you know someone famous, than that must be lethal for your sense of self-worth.
So instead of giving into an urge that will only make us feel miserable anyway, we should take that energy and put it into finding our own talents and making our own accomplishments. Or to help others find theirs.
That is my theory anyway. I am still struggling with reality sometimes though. Where is that line between admiring someone for their accomplishments and giving into that urge? I don’t know. I truely don’t. I wish I did.
An autograph for instance, is that a sign of admiration for someones accomplishment or a way to show others you have been ‘close’ for 10 seconds to someone famous?
It would be nice to hear other peoples views on this as well. Where do you all think that line is?
Hugs, Bianca – in a very contemplative mood tonight
[We run together in the green fields and we'll stay far from the bad things of this strange world!]
Aaaw, Lucia, that is so sweet. That made me cry a little. But then I cry easily these days. Pffffft.
Sorry for being such a sad wanker this afternoon.
Life is not nice to me lately, but looking at it that way will only make it worse.
So I kicked myself in the butt tonight and picked myself back up and I will try to keep my misfortunes off this blog a little more. I’d rather be the centre of positive attention anyway :-p
[Bianca, if you ever need a get-away I'm here =) It would be more of a large get-away then a "little" one though. We could trade evil secrets.]
OOOH, trading evil secrets.. one of my favourite hobbies. But then I am really good at keeping secrets, so may not tell you any after all. :-p
Where in the world are you, Erin? Are you at the US eastcoast? I could fly that in like 5 or 6 hours.. piece of cake.. *grin*
Hugs, Bianca – former sad wanker
Hello, dearest FED and Everyone That Are Regulars, it has been awhile since I’ve been a “regular”, this has been an extremely busy month for me. Had family from up North come down over the 4th of July weekend ’til just three days ago.
Now, I have some personal time to mourn the passing of Roger Keith ‘Syd’ Barrett.
One of my most valued treasures are my memories of listening to ‘Piper At The Gates of Dawn’ as a kid in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. It was absolutely…magical. Unbeknownst to me as an earlier child, I picked up Kenneth Graham’s ‘The Wind in The Willows’ and by the time I saw the album for the first time, I was 11 and asked the clerk what the name of the album was. When he told me the title I just had to buy it.
‘The Piper At The Gates of Dawn’ appealed to my inner child and when I seriously began to delve into Pink Floyd history as a teenager, Syd Barrett struck me as ” an Innocent, Juvenile, idyllic Prodigy “. A genius by virtue. I’ve been listening to PATGoD , ASfOS, Madcap and all of my other recordings this past week.
FED, I could not come on and get in here. I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to be able to speak clearly about the the death and mourning of a man who was just a little ahead of himself. I had come to love Syd’s prose, that almost delicate voice of his, his…Style.
His influence will be continual. Just as many Great Influences of Music have gone on, Roger ‘Syd’ Barrett had gone on himself. His journey. And his way. Into The Pantheon of Greats Syd will sit with all the other greats.
But to me, Syd was unique.
As to all of those who come here to push their own envelopes and others who’ll no doubt try and will profit from our loss…a big, [ sorry, FED, I have to ] hearty …SCREW YOU, bloody raggin’ naffers !!!!!
Unfortunately, it’s the way of the world. I shall always honour and cherish my memories of Syd, you Crazy Shiny Diamond !!
I once penned a tribute to him some ten years ago, I’ll have to check and pull it from some part of my own volumnious collections of writings and what have you.
BTW, I loved the entry from Alice and for the most of you, thank you for paying tribute to our fallen hero…who just happened to inspire a great deal many of us to be sure.
My heartfelt condolences to the remaining Barrett family and the friends who were closest to him, David, Roger, Richard & Nick.
Mr. Gilmour, thank you, for being you. It must not have been easy for you or your mates to see your friend go down like he did, but you all made sure that Syd was well taken care of. I can relate. I have lost friends in much the same fashion. People who trailed across the Heavens for only such a short time, then for their star to fall before they actually perish.
To the rest of the Floyd family, my heart grieves as well, but in that common bond that we all share, we shall all…shine.
I’m all set for my trip to Italy. I am going to take full advantage of three weeks in country. I will be swinging down to Pompeii after catching the Gilmour shows. I’ll be sure to think of something appropiate to play on my portable CD player when I’m there.
Lucia, Ripper, Bianca, Simon and all of the regulars take extra special care during this time. FED, you too. You have been doing a fantastic job here, but I can imagine after the events of the past couple of weeks that you need some much needed rest. Let someone else in The Honour Guard take over for a week. And as always, FED, my hat’s off t’ya mate for keeping this well and all.
Let’s Honour The Memory That Is Syd Barrett and for what he has meant to each and every one of us.
Cazart !