UMMAGUMMA

A note to the casual listener; this is an acquired taste. Early Floyd was an explosion of creativity, mostly due to the legendary imagination of Syd Barrett, so, including "Astronomy Domine" on the live section of this release gives him his due, as the others get in the studio tracks. The live performances , as good as they are, really lack their full impact, because you don't get to see the live show. Even the "Pompeii" video lacks this, camera work(good camera work at that) shows the band playing these MASTERPIECES, one can only guess why the show is so stripped down. On stage, they've always been a lights and sound experience, with really cool props, to boot. The live performances grow, breathe, take on a life of their own, a real group effort. Now, to right the wrongs; the studio disc is an exploration of what's possible in a recording studio. "Sysyphus" is broken down into four movements, and, although the CD begins part II with that thundering piano solo, anyone who owns the original vinyl record (remember those?) can tell you that part II is the the John Cage-inspired noisy part with all the Speeded-up voices and pandemonium. Part III is quiet, and part IV starts with the sud den loud organ and tympani, bookending the whole piece with a reprise of the opening theme, now more gothic and bone-chilling. And in its ugliness, beautiful. The Roger Waters segment is in two diametrically opposed parts. The quiet, lyrical "Grantchester Meadows" is a rare occaision where Waters actually sings, compared to later work, i.e. "The Wall." Segue into "Several Species..." a brilliant piece of studio work, that put the collage of sound in The Beatle's "Good Morning, GoodMorning" rightfully in its place. "The Narrow Way, parts I,II,and III", show David Gilmour's virtuosity(it's not spelled "Gilmore," those of you who have no eye or ear for detail), his ability to take you from a grassy field to an underground cavern, and form that into an elegant song and play guitar, piano, drums ,and bass as well. "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" is the most underrated piece in this set. All those random drum sounds were sampled by Nick Mason with analog tape, and the creepy part in in the middle is the flute melody, backward. In all, highly recommended.