THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN

My discovery of Pink Floyd was accidental, or at least mysterious. Since 1980 they have become my favorite musical group. I am not that much impressed by much else in the "hard rock / classic rock" series. Jethro Tull is worthy. The talents of Eddie Van Halen and Neil Peart (of RUSH) are impressive. If one wants the best for an enlightened, advanced mind, then Pink Floyd is the proper choice. And The Piper at the G.O.D. is a very important selection.

For one, it has Syd Barrett (properly Roger Keith Barrett) as lead vocals and guitar, and he had talents even his own peers could not fully appreciate. Enough about the story of his drug use --- he was a rare victem of something I share with him: Perception of what was happenning at the time, or, more properly, WHO was doing WHAT back then. It was a horrible and lonely place to go. I feel for him.

For audio, this is a good choice. Very good usage of (the then fairly new) stereo effects. Granted, some of it's a bit much, however when you allow your music to branch into the land of the unlimited, strange things are bound to happen. For this they are forgiven.

I rated it five stars because it is one album I could listen to incessantly and not tire of it. Could not say that about The Wall or The Final Cut. Those two are far too depressing lyrically.

Why 5 stars? Nick Mason's percussions during that period were necessarily well crafted. Rick Wright and his one-of-a-kind keyboard riffs were splendid. Roger Waters shone well too. And this is probably Syd's best recording. Headphones to listen to this work are vital.

For stunning video, I suggest PULSE live concert. For best personal interest, a very worthy one is Pink Floyd live in Pompeii. And for audio: Piper, Music from the body (by Roger Waters and Ron Geesin) and Relics as well are my choice. I like most of their other recordings too.

I must investigate The Soft Machine.