UMMAGUMMA

Pink Floyd has many different faces but it always sounds as Pink Floyd, in my opinion the only Classic Prog band that comes close to that chameleon-like sound is King Crimson. I discovered that after buying DSOTM and WYWH in mid- 70s when I had become a proghead. The most extreme example of the many musical faces of Pink Floyd is the 2-LP Ummagumma ('slang' for having sex, a term used by Cambridge students of that era). The first half of Ummagumma is devoted to live material (recorded at Mothers Club, Birmingham & Manchester College of Commerce, April & May 1969), and the other half is studio work, featuring each member with solo compositions.

The live LP:

Astronomy Domine : Although I miss the haunting Syd Barrett vocals Pink Floyd delivers a stellar version of this exciting highlight in psychedelic rock. It seemes the band is paying tribute to Syd, what an inspired guitarwork, including biting wah-wah, in huge tension with the following soaring Farfisa organ solo by Rick Wright. In the final part Pink Floyd works to a grand finale, fuelled by a dynamic rhythm-section, wow!

Careful With That Axe, Eugene : The unique Pink Floyd sound of the early 70s, between blues, rock and psychedelia, from a hypnotizing climate to a heavy outburst, including that nerveracking Roger Waters cry,

Set the Controls For The Heart Of The Sun : A mellow and sultry atmosphere, wonderfully coloured by Rick his Farfisa organ, along with Nick his powerful drum beats and Roger his tender vocals. Gradually the music turns into intense and bombastic, fuelled by Nick, David joins with fiery guitar work, trademark early Pink Floyd, top notch psychedelia.

Saucerful Of Secrets : The first part is the most experimental composition on this live LP, but halfway the sound shifts to mellow and melodic with swelling Farfisa organ, tension builds with slow drum beats, it sounds more and more compelling and dynamic, culminating in David his legendary 'trippy' vocal contribution, goose bumps!

The studio LP: four solo pieces from the band members, according to Rick Wright "each member should be allowed to stretch their individual wings a bit and not be so tied down to such strict formats."

Rick Wright kicks off with a four part piece entitled Sysyphus: first solo flights on the Mellotron (violin section), then from tender to sparkling Grand piano and finally pretty experimental, or name it avant-garde, not my cup of tea, too unstructured/chaotic.

Roger Waters delivers two pieces. Frist the nice acoustic ballad Grantchester Meadows with bluesy vocals. Then the very experimental Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave and Grooving With A Pict, featuring the legendary moment with the fly, recorded in quadrophony.

David Gilmour his contribution Narrow Way Part 1-3 is also between melodic with powerful slide guitar and experimental, pretty unbalanced music.

Finally Nick Mason with Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Enterance Part 1-3), ranging from delicate flute (from his wife Lindy) to very experimental, most of it too boring.

My conclusion: Balancing between brilliant and boring. The first LP (live) is awesome, top notch psychedelic Pink Floyd, the second LP (studio) contains interesting parts, but in general it sounds too experimental/avant-garde.

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