Syd's professional musical career only lasted a few years. What he achieved along with his band Pink Floyd during the second half of 1966 and first half of 1967, though, has put a profound stamp on pop and rock forever after, from innocent English fairy tale pop lyrics to instrumental interstellar excursions with complete overdrive. I guess much of the contemporary music we are writing about here at Luna Kafé would've sounded different - or wouldn't exist at all - if it hadn't been for what Syd and his Floyd were dealing with back then.

All of Syd's recorded output, both with the early Floyd and solo, is very well worth checking out. Start with Pink Floyd's essential debut album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn and the first singles. The compilation Wouldn't You Miss Me? might be a starting point for his solo stuff or, even better, head straight for the three CD box Crazy Diamond that includes his two solo albums The Madcap Laughs and Barrett and sessions he recorded for them. His songs will shine on ...

Copyright © 2006 JP