WORKS

Pink Floyd's Works collection brings together a number of early Floyd tunes showing the range of the band's artistic endeavours up Dark Side Of The Moon (DSOTM) when the band changed record companies. Others have asked the motive for this album, but it's simple; profit. Capital records wanted to cash in on some more of the band's post-DSOTM success. The cover art even plagiarizes The Wall's cover, but Capitol had no access to songs from The Wall or other post-DSOTM albums. So what does works offer? Not much more than was already available, just the song Embryo, an outtake from Ummagumma, and some novel editing. Works is actually a more interesting listen than the Columbia Records' A Collection Of Great Dance Songs, but both albums have been eclipsed by Echoes. Pink Floyd completionists will definitely want a copy of Works. But it would be nice to see the album remastered and the songs reordered for CD (vs. vinal) format. (Program in the order 1, 6, 2, 7-10, 3-5 and give it a listen.) Because the music is good, I'll give Works three stars.