WISH YOU WERE HERE - EXPERIENCE EDITION

5 stars for the original album. As for the bonus cuts, every Floyd fan is of course simultaneously "raving and drooling" at the prospects of having these, and yet surely asking, "Why can't there be more?" As for what's here:

1) an early live version of "Shine On" is certainly welcome, but this is certainly not the definitive take on the song from this time period. For one thing, there's no sax. But it is interesting to hear the song before it was finished.

2) "Raving and Drooling" and "You Gotta Be Crazy." Wow. Particuarly "You Gotta Be Crazy." I love this version. My favorite version has always been from a RoIO from this same period whose title I forget at the moment, in which Gilmour's vocals are a revelation in comparison to the album version. This version, though, is different than both, in the way that Gilmour sings it. Both versions are welcome additions for Floyd fans.

3) "Have a Cigar," alternate take. This one's a surprise. I always read that Waters regretted not having a go at the song, instead of having Roy Harper sing it. But this version shows that: 1) Waters *did* have a go at it, and 2) Harper did a much better job at it. Still, it's an interesting version. My favorite live version is the PLAYS THE ANIMALS ROIO.

4) "Wish You Were Here," with Grappelli. A bit disapointed in this one. Nice to finally hear it, though. I always imagined the best of Ponty's spacier work ("Mirage," "Cosmic Messenger," etc.), but this is nothing like that, unfortunately.

5) The "Household Objects" excerpt: merely a curio, not nearly as interesting as the other excerpt on the DSOTM release.

Now on to my disapointment: 1) I'm sure the band must have recorded the 2 pre-ANIMALS songs "Raving" and "Gotta Be Crazy" in the studio during the WYWH sessions, since they were playing them in concert all the time. I'd love to hear those, since the band's sound changed between WYWH and ANIMALS. 2) I'd love to hear other versions of those 2 songs. How about from other concerts? Perhaps they are more suited for a special release for ANIMALS (which isn't in the cards at this time). 3) Why not just release that Oakland show as well? Besides the aforementioned songs, it has an *amazing* take on "Welcome to the Machine." 4) Also around this time, the band was playing "Echoes" in concert, which featured saxophone. Why not release that as well?

Excited, but frustrated at the same time. Would love it if Floyd would just release the concert CDs. Guess it won't happen till I'm gone, and by then the kids will hardly care less.