Thought this was kinda funny (Syd Barrett related)

[sofonanm]

Jenny Fabian: Years later I found him again living up the road from Earls Court in a flat where he had room. Again he didn't speak much. He was sitting in the corner on a matress and he'd apinted every other floorboard alternate colours, red and green . He boiled an egg in a kettle and ate it. And he listened over and over again to Beach Boys tapes, which I found distressing. He was still exactly the same, only now he was only Syd Barrett the has-been rather than Syd Barrett the star. Years after t hat I was told that he lived in the Penthouse Club and was very fat and got a weekly cheque from the Floyd. I prefer to remember him as this thin, white, violet-eyed nutter who didn't speak much and who wrote wonderful songs.

When I read this I had to take a moment out an evaluate my own life and mental state.

"Wait, is that me? Am I doing that?" 

I wonder what he listened to? Smiley Smile?

[Mr. Cohen]

I've always liked Syd's music. I did notice that the "ah-HAH-ha-ha-HAH" part of "Vegetable Man" sounds just like the part of "I'd Love Just Once to See You" where the BBs do go "bah-BAH-ba-ba-BAH" (big differences in phrasings, you see), except it's a little more sinister sounding on the Floyd song. Those songs were made around the same time, so it could be that Syd listened to Wild Honey and subconsciously sang that melody in his own song. Or it could be a coincidence. Who knows?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Jenny Fabian: Years later I found him again living up the road from Earls Court in a flat where he had room. Again he didn't speak much. He was sitting in the corner on a matress and he'd apinted every other floorboard alternate colours, red and green . He boiled an egg in a kettle and ate it. And he listened over and over again to Beach Boys tapes, which I found distressing. He was still exactly the same, only now he was only Syd Barrett the has-been rather than Syd Barrett the star. Years after t hat I was told that he lived in the Penthouse Club and was very fat and got a weekly cheque from the Floyd. I prefer to remember him as this thin, white, violet-eyed nutter who didn't speak much and who wrote wonderful songs.

When I read this I had to take a moment out an evaluate my own life and mental state.

"Wait, is that me? Am I doing that?" 

I wonder what he listened to? Smiley Smile?

No, they were tapes of Smile acetates: The Beatles gave them to Syd when both bands were in Abbey Road recording Piper and Pepper.  That was what really sent him over th edge.

[Jason]

I was looking around for a Hoffman thread and voila, here is one.

[Dancing Bear]

I've always liked Syd's music. I did notice that the "ah-HAH-ha-ha-HAH" part of "Vegetable Man" sounds just like the part of "I'd Love Just Once to See You" where the BBs do go "bah-BAH-ba-ba-BAH" (big differences in phrasings, you see), except it's a little more sinister sounding on the Floyd song. Those songs were made around the same time, so it could be that Syd listened to Wild Honey and subconsciously sang that melody in his own song. Or it could be a coincidence. Who knows?

Vegetable Man was recorded before the release of Wild Honey. But the parts do sound alike.

[sofonanm]

I've always liked Syd's music. I did notice that the "ah-HAH-ha-ha-HAH" part of "Vegetable Man" sounds just like the part of "I'd Love Just Once to See You" where the BBs do go "bah-BAH-ba-ba-BAH" (big differences in phrasings, you see), except it's a little more sinister sounding on the Floyd song. Those songs were made around the same time, so it could be that Syd listened to Wild Honey and subconsciously sang that melody in his own song. Or it could be a coincidence. Who knows?

Vegetable Man was recorded before the release of Wild Honey. But the parts do sound alike.

What's the story about Vegetable Man? To me, it's a great song. But it was rejected as a potential single? I can see that, but I also read somewhere else that the rest of the Floyd thought it was incomprehensible madness or something? Of Montreal should cover it.

[SG7]

No surprise. I love early Pink Floyd and Syd stuff. 

[Dancing Bear]

I've always liked Syd's music. I did notice that the "ah-HAH-ha-ha-HAH" part of "Vegetable Man" sounds just like the part of "I'd Love Just Once to See You" where the BBs do go "bah-BAH-ba-ba-BAH" (big differences in phrasings, you see), except it's a little more sinister sounding on the Floyd song. Those songs were made around the same time, so it could be that Syd listened to Wild Honey and subconsciously sang that melody in his own song. Or it could be a coincidence. Who knows?

Vegetable Man was recorded before the release of Wild Honey. But the parts do sound alike.

What's the story about Vegetable Man? To me, it's a great song. But it was rejected as a potential single? I can see that, but I also read somewhere else that the rest of the Floyd thought it was incomprehensible madness or something? Of Montreal should cover it.

It was one in a bunch of tracks that were being worked for the next single and album, while Syd was still a full fledged member. Eventually Apples & Oranges was chosen and released in Nov'67. Aftewards the band decided that the Syd situation was impossible to sustain and he was out. But you already knew that.

About the song itself, it's said that Syd wrote the lyrics on the spot, describing what he was wearing at that very moment.

[Shady]

Syd was so hip I'm not suprised he was into The Beach Boys

[chris.metcalfe]

What's the story about Vegetable Man? To me, it's a great song.  Of Montreal should cover it.

Soft Boys did in 1980

http://www.amazon.com/Underwater-Moonlight-How-Got-There/dp/B000059N5Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1238402000&sr=1-1

[SG7]

I've always liked Syd's music. I did notice that the "ah-HAH-ha-ha-HAH" part of "Vegetable Man" sounds just like the part of "I'd Love Just Once to See You" where the BBs do go "bah-BAH-ba-ba-BAH" (big differences in phrasings, you see), except it's a little more sinister sounding on the Floyd song. Those songs were made around the same time, so it could be that Syd listened to Wild Honey and subconsciously sang that melody in his own song. Or it could be a coincidence. Who knows?

Vegetable Man was recorded before the release of Wild Honey. But the parts do sound alike.

What's the story about Vegetable Man? To me, it's a great song. But it was rejected as a potential single? I can see that, but I also read somewhere else that the rest of the Floyd thought it was incomprehensible madness or something? Of Montreal should cover it.

Of Montreal does some very cool covers. There take on Friends of Mine is my favorite.

[the captain]

Of Montreal does some very cool covers. There take on Friends of Mine is my favorite.

In case you havent seen it, here are eighty-something covers they have done: http://www.youaintnopicasso.com/2008/01/30/a-collection-of-of-montreal-covers/

[Jason]

Vegetable Man and it's A-side, Scream Thy Last Scream, will never be released as long as Waters is still alive and has anything to say about it. Sure, everyone with a modem's heard them by now, but still. They should be available.

[Bean Bag]

Vegetable Man and it's A-side, Scream Thy Last Scream, will never be released as long as Waters is still alive and has anything to say about it. Sure, everyone with a modem's heard them by now, but still. They should be available.

I wonder why Waters objects.  They're brilliant songs.  They would have been perfect for the recent Piper box, disc 3. 

Speaking of the Syd-Floyd...I never felt like I had a clear picture of what was recorded.  I know there's Piper, a few singles before and a few after.  Then there was Saucerful...and I'm not sure what Syd did on that album...not much I presume.  Either way...I'm sure this could all be cleared up with a nice 4/5 disc set "The Complete Syd Barrett Pink Floyd Recordings."

This is all so stupid.  Will I have to wait until Roger dies?

[Alex]

Vegetable Man and it's A-side, Scream Thy Last Scream, will never be released as long as Waters is still alive and has anything to say about it. Sure, everyone with a modem's heard them by now, but still. They should be available.

I wonder why Waters objects.  They're brilliant songs.  They would have been perfect for the recent Piper box, disc 3. 

Speaking of the Syd-Floyd...I never felt like I had a clear picture of what was recorded.  I know there's Piper, a few singles before and a few after.  Then there was Saucerful...and I'm not sure what Syd did on that album...not much I presume.  Either way...I'm sure this could all be cleared up with a nice 4/5 disc set "The Complete Syd Barrett Pink Floyd Recordings."

This is all so stupid.  Will I have to wait until Roger dies?

Jugband Blues was the only Syd song on Saucerful, but I think it was a Piper outtake...yet IMO its the best song on that album. Vegetable Man should've also been on Saucerful. I'll take Syd at his most demented and incomprehensible over Dark Side of the Moon any day of the week.

[runnersdialzero]

Jugband Blues was the only Syd song on Saucerful, but I think it was a Piper outtake...yet IMO its the best song on that album. Vegetable Man should've also been on Saucerful. I'll take Syd at his most demented and incomprehensible over Dark Side of the Moon any day of the week.

Nah, I'm pretty sure "Jugband Blues" was a genuine early 2nd album recording before he'd left the band. Syd plays on one or two other Saucerful tracks, too, I believe.

It's really a shame stuff like "Vegetable Man" and "Scream Thy Last Scream" haven't been officially released. It just seems like people are being dramatic about them, to be honest. I'm sure it was hard to see a friend unravel before them, and those songs showed a bit of that, but come on. And of course, at this point, they wouldn't want to put it out even more as they'd fear it would look like a cash grab after Syd's death.

And yeah, I agree - I can't really get into most of their post-Syd stuff. His solo stuff was pretty nice, too.

[theCOD]

I fail to see what the issue is with "Vegetable Man."  Is it any "crazier" than "Jugband Blues" or anything off Piper?  To me it's just another great Syd song, but the way Waters talks about it makes it seem like it's a clear sign that Syd was losing his mind.

[Sciencefriction]

I've never been a big Pink Floyd fan, but I've grown to like Syd and his music  more and more over the years.  Funny that he was a Beach Boys fan, but only because I don't sit around pondering what famous people listen to.  Waters, blah blah, Waters, blah blah, ugh, Waters, I just don't like the man that much. 

Anyway, I believe some other Syd songs were supposed to be on Saucers but didn't make the cut. The rest of the band weren't really pyschedelic guru's (or musical ones!), sadly.

I think it would have been really interesting for Syd and Brian to work together, I think they were coming from a similar place during the pyschedelic era. 

[Dancing Bear]

Vegetable Man is a bit boring IMO. Let's face it, the songs Syd was writing in the latter half of 1967 - VM, Scream, Jugband, Apples and Oranges - weren't of the same calibre as those in Piper and the two first singles. But Waters and Mason should release them anyway. Funny that Waters is so concerned about exploiting Syd's madness and he has made a lot of cash from those Syd-related lyrics in DSotM, WYWH and the Wall.

[Aegir]

Of Montreal does some very cool covers. There take on Friends of Mine is my favorite.

In case you havent seen it, here are eighty-something covers they have done: http://www.youaintnopicasso.com/2008/01/30/a-collection-of-of-montreal-covers/

Wow, thanks for the link. This is great.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Jugband Blues was the only Syd song on Saucerful, but I think it was a Piper outtake...yet IMO its the best song on that album. Vegetable Man should've also been on Saucerful. I'll take Syd at his most demented and incomprehensible over Dark Side of the Moon any day of the week.

Nah, I'm pretty sure "Jugband Blues" was a genuine early 2nd album recording before he'd left the band. Syd plays on one or two other Saucerful tracks, too, I believe.

Syd contributed guitar to "Remember A Day" and "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun" on Saucerful Of Secrets .

[sofonanm]

Syd should have played on Wish You Were Here.

That story about him showing up fat, bald, toothbrush in hand, etc., at the studio is bizarre and interesting. He said "When do I put my part on?" and maybe it was just Syd's sick sense of humor or some kind of prophetic statement. If the story happened like the band tells it then it's almost unexplainable. Band records song about Syd almost invoking his presence and lo and behold! Syd appears, looking not like their young friend but a fat yogi/mental patient.

[Alex]

To me, Syd Barrett pretty much WAS Pink Floyd.

[sofonanm]

To me, Syd Barrett pretty much WAS Pink Floyd.

Duh.

He wrote the songs, had the ideas, was the image, arguably had the most sincere and agreeable personality (although Rick seemed like a good guy), lived the life, had more originality in his guitar playing than Gilmour, etc.

I like a few post-Syd Pink Floyd albums but the sound they captured early on was very exciting. Syd's solo work is great to my ears as well - sometimes it seems unfinished, as if it's all just fragments of ideas he had at the time, but even in that form there's a mysteriousness to them that comes from his sincerity. Whatever he was living - he was living. He wasn't thinking about it and cleverly putting it to song, it WAS him and the music came from it.

People are very polarized on this issue though. It seems to be, sometimes, either Syd's Pink Floyd or the no-Syd Pink Floyd, and no inbetween.

[Dancing Bear]

To me, Syd Barrett pretty much WAS Pink Floyd.

Thank god they didn't agree with you and recorded another ten great records. By 1969 they had found their own path and Syd was history, if you don't count Waters exploiting his myth in lyrics.