THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN

This certainly isnt the best playing Pink Floyd ever did. It definitely isnt the most popular. Yet its a sign of intent, and a ground-breaking album. Even more important, it actually has Barrett on the record instead of just his massive influence and ghost, which hovers all the post-Barrett recordings. A stroke of mad genius paints his canvas across many moments here, and though its also a bit rough and ready, its extraordinary influence was felt by all including and especially The Beatles. Would Sergeant Peppers have sounded as it did without those magical nights at the UFO club? I doubt it.