Syd Barrett's Last Recording Session - Abbey Road Studios 1974-08-12 -Now you can finally hear it! 

He apparently showed up to this session with a stringless guitar. I reckon he hadn’t played for years and was just goofing around seeing if he’s still got it. And he certainly has!

They didn't finish lyrics, it's no good trying to hold your love where I can't see, because I understand that your different from me". Yes I can tell you can't be what you pretend. Lol From Mad cap

@@dazzyelizabeth2949 you loved him so much was he your lover

@@musashielmaldito6848grow up

@@dazzyelizabeth2949 He did a few live performances in 1973 (Stars etc), mostly around Cambridge, so he was definitely "playing". Apparently he bought a few new guitars right before these sessions as well.

@@ALTROTOPIA if you dislike modern pop music then you have a clue.

@@YesIAmKIng012= Triggered soy boy 😂

Liking is like believing, Has nothing to do with reality. People that worry about either drift away from reality just like Syd.

@@KentonJoseph reading this comment 3 times in a row gave me a brain aneurysm

@@KentonJoseph bro what?

I'm with you, let's groove with Syd ^_^

unfinished ballad sounds like the opposite of late night

And what a fish he might have caught!

Sounds like love you progression in some parts

That was in 1975. It's crazy how his appearance changed so much in such a short time. I feel like shaving his hair was a way of saying goodbye to his image as a rockstar and leaving music for good and starting over as Roger, no longer Syd.

​@allison418 Pretty much how I looked after the Covid lockdown 😅

​@@jordil6152I think everybody's been going through their own kind of Syd Barrett arc, post pandemic

Syd had an autistic disorder of unclear etiology. His sister Rosemary once confirmed all of siblings in Roger's family were on aut.spectrum. But it's weird... We'll never know if the drugs made his disorder worse. Or it was already ''programmed'' mental disease which progressing in him. In his youth and young adult years he was literary a norman person except of a few perks (i.e. he made a few surreal paintings and collages which contained disturbed/hallucinogenic/nightmarish images) and some cases of behevioral strangenesses.

@@konstantinKcArney It was more than autism: in an interview with Ian Priston on 2023-09-16, Rosemary Breen explicitly mentioned "brain damage" and "many bad trips." Direct quote: "[Syd] found communication quite difficult because of his brain damage really…" Underlying mental illness or no, Rosemary Breen's remarks strongly support the view that brain damage from substance abuse was the dominant factor in his decline.

+thatvenusgirl :)

So OBVIOUSLY now you've said that 32 smartasses have to click it now just to make a point

He deserves it!

❤️

There's nothing to expand on. It's a guy noodling captured on tape. How exactly do you expand on these sketches, not even sketches, noodles.

@@AnthonyMonaghan Thank You.

Yeah, if Brian Wilson made this everyone would be raving over it's potential.

When you say "they," if you mean Syd himself, then yes, it is too bad. The account of the recording clearly shows he didn't even want to be there

I love Syd but there’s no magic here

These tapes surfaced very late actually. They existed, but weren't circulating for a long time.

I tested your proposition out today and you are definitely correct. The music falls into place with the tempo corrected by slowing down the audio by 11.76%, which is equivalent to lowering the pitch by 2 semitones without changing the pitch separately. These are perfectly good early demo sketches that sit readily against Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd and solo work. They don't sound half as sketchy as the out of speed uploaded tapes. It's poignant to hear these unexpected seeds of songs rescued from the archive. Barrett's mental health struggles don't diminish his influential musical legacy. These fragile fragments are a testament to his tenacity during increasingly difficult times.

The music industry, band, society, all tried to cram Syd into a box. Syd never fit into a box. He was so far outside the box he didn't even know there was a box. That just wasn't compatible to a long successful career in the recording industry, as the rest of PF enjoyed. Too great a genius for many to understand (or work with).

@@bakerj85226 Yes, how dare the recording industry demand their artists make records that people want to buy!

Yes he sure did.

Snak3Rak3 double O bo

As we all should!

Double O Bo.

Syd had good taste. Bo Diddley was a man his own among many curators of that delta blues style. Love Bo Diddley

TDWE I wish he stayed in the Floyd with Gilmour. They would have.

zero Yeah same man. I mean was it that hard to just take him along to a few gigs and recording sessions every now and then? I mean I just feel as though they could've worked something out. Could've been a little more loose about it, like maybe a little less money for Syd since he would just participate when he felt like it, i dunno maybe thats crazy to some people but songs like Scream Thy Last Scream (studio version especially) and Vegetable Man are really really groovy, heavy, melodic, and psychedelic. Also the song writing is top of the notch, yet sadly the rest of the band was a little close minded

TDWE Well, thanx for agreeing w/me, however, it was the recording company who decided Barrett was a liability. I wish they all never had that disagreement about the copywrights. I think certain media is unfair to Roger expecting him to be in the Ostridge Society. He can express his ideas about things, man. Right?

TDWE How is this groovy for fuck's sake? It's complete rubbish! Don't you recognise dross when you hear it! It may be 'Syd' dross, but it's still dross!

TDWE What do you mean 'especially the studio version? There isn't another one. Unless you know something the rest of us don't?

I paid $25 for a "rare" Syd Barrett CD back in the 90s - now it's on YT for free

Amazing really if Syd didn't want to record he wouldn't have been there. He was obviously displeased with something since he quit music not long after this. But there are gems in this

By this point, he had ingested so much acid on top of his mental illness, he was on downward slope.

Allen Albright no im guessing.

music like the temples etc, are keeping the vibe going.. once again ahead of his time and would be kicking ass right now... 👽

If people find gems hidden in that one here, well, then of course the Madcap Laughs is highest art.

Justin Hennessey if you are a kid you have impeccable taste. I was a kid in the 80s and I had to HUNT stuff like this down, have it special ordered, bought sketchy bootlegs from other countries- it was a pain in the ass, but well worth my collection I have now. That was in 1982 when I was 12-13 yr old punk......but yes you have good taste. Syd is precious and Skip, well the Oar CD NEVER leaves my CD player/changer. Roky, there's a great doc about him out there. I rented it in the 90s from mondo video in Hollywood, but I'll bet it's on RU-vid now. Skip you can read about- he was from Santa Rosa and has 4 kids with the same woman and the oldest boy plays music and looks just like him. Syd, well there's a barrage of Syd stuff out now, everything except a 4star film that should be made of him. Darryl Read, who recently passed away attempted to make a film with Barry about Syd and it was horrid. I have it only because I knew Darryl, but it was very bad. Ok I will shut up now- I only replied cuz I saw you admire the same three as I, and most likely a lot of people with good taste.....

You might enjoy John Frusciantes early solo albums as well since you seem to be drawn to semi tortured artists musical endeavors. I love all 3 of the artists you mentioned and Frusciantes early solo albums definitely fit in with this group. Check out Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T Shirt......and Smile From The Streets you Hold. Those 2 albums in particular have that true hint of madness/genius captured...much like Syd, Skip and Roky. Cheers

I get the feeling you prefer the stories and mystique more than the actual music.

@@A_29886 makes sense since we are listening to some random guitar jams that would never had contacted our ears if it wasnt for the story behind it. Now go listen to some real music

@@A_29886 Pretty much, yeah.

Along with his singing.

i call his singing harmonizing

His flow was lsd I feel his rhythm on acid

@@carmenescobar2938 sure you do

@@betweendreams5 lol 🤣 this killed me

The Father of Space Rock is and always has been Robert Calvert, leader of Hawkwind. No one ever called Barrett that.

@@scottlarson1548 never heard of Calvert, I'll check him out. Numerous rock writers have attributed Syd as the father of space rock. In fact, Pink Floyd was once pictured with a sticker on...forgot what it was. But it said "First in Space."

@@1thepner You're talking about Space Rock and you've *never* even heard of Hawkwind???? No, not one single rock writer has ever called Barrett that. I've been reading about Pink Floyd for fifty years.

@@scottlarson1548 we must read different writers. I already gave my example of the sticker. Think what you want. I'll go with Astronomy Domine & Intersteller Overdrive as proof.

@@1thepner Please tell me where you read this if you ever did. It's possible that I overlooked a Pink Floyd book in the past five decades. I seriously doubt it.

Syd apparently recorded some practices for Stars in 72. But those tapes are long lost and likely no longer exist.

I too would der that Apparently he plays interstellar overdrive in 30 odd gigs and we have videos of just 5-6 gigs where r the rest

The Stars tapes, this is based solely on assumption but I believe are in possession of Pink Floyd because apparently there were tape(s) of him with Stars and The Last Minute Put Together Boogie Band which the latter were the only ones ever released to the general public because whomever found the tapes originally made the unfortunate decision of contacting EMI and they deemed them “damaging” to Syds and Pink Floyd’s legacy and sealed them up someplace. I’ll say the three tracks he did with the Boogie Band are interesting it’s just so damn hard to discern Syds guitar because there were two other guitarists on stage with him and Syd decides to play in the background for most of it but when he does decide to solo or rather is kinda pushed to do so he does shine like only he can. It’s just unfortunate as fuck the press at the time ate him up and literally shat him out which ultimately sealed his fate musically outside of whatever problems he may or may not have had.

@@drfiggles god why cant they just release them

@@thinginground5179 unfortunate they would be that lame right? I mean damaging to the legacy? What they do at that Stars session skin a goat? 🤣

Odd. Syd always used Telecasters, not Strats. At least on stage, that is.

@@vonclohk507 Dang!! I've read about some of his bizarre behavior during various periods after leaving PF, but have never read about those you mentioned. I'm aware that by the late 70s/early 80s, he no longer had an interest in music. Only art, gardening, and eventually the history of some particular subject - I can't remember what at the moment. But there came a point where he didn't own a single guitar, sometime in the 80s. Many years later, he was intentionally left alone in a room where there was a simple 6 string acoustic guitar. When he though nobody was looking or listening, he picked it up, and softly strummed it for a brief moment, but when he realized someone was eaves dropping, he put it down, and never touched another guitar again. I'm interested to know about whether he ever heard PF music, and whether or not anyone ever explained to him which songs were dedicated to and about him.

A few years ago I read an interview with a relative of Syd, she said they played him some Floyd stuff sometime in the 90s or 2000s. He apparently liked See Emily Play a lot, brought a big smile to his face. But he said the rest sounded "too noisy"

He booked a blues band i was playing in to play at a village hall in Cambridgeshire in the 90's... We had no idea it was him until the sound engineer told us at the end of the night. He was fine, just seemed like a normal chap....

+chris john Plenty of reverb and a Delay very simple, but sounds great

+Tyler Vanner Not reverb, but yes delay

yes! reminds me a lot of old coldplay :)

coldplay could never amount to this or even remotely sound this pure and it wouldnt be near as quality..coldplay is pretentious and horrible

R.nune and they borrow a lot from Kraftwerk for hits. I am talking about Coldplay

Caverman I belive that Syd is one of the most copied(but who many bands do not give credit to.) artist in history.

He made some really crazy electric guitar sounds -- frantic, menacing, beastly sounds that were much darker than sounds typically associated with the 60s. 30 years later this sound was echoed in the heavy, sludgy, slovenly rock of the 90s grunge era.

@@zatoichimasseur6767 Is it way past time to consider Syd the godfather of punk rock?

@@gregrambo606 he is

+benisme123 I'd like to believe so as well. Unfortunately, every time Peter Jenner or the engineers tried to set up a vocal mic and put Syd on it, he would refuse to sing anything. He also supposedly had a notebook with lyrics in it, but he wouldn't let anyone see them. Peter later suggested that it was because Syd in fact didn't have any.

Yep.... you CAnt Fuck with BARRET>>>>.

jamie davey Syd played guitar on all of his solo material, David mostly contributed with production, editing, and playing of other instruments. Honestly, I'd blame Waters more than anything. Gilmour has done his best to release unheard Syd material. He gave us "Bob Dylan Blues", a few new remixes including an extended "Matilda Mother" with original lyrics, and the 20-minute "Ramadan". For all I know, he might have been seminal in getting the bonus tracks on the CD remasters out, too. And he also got Barrett his royalty checks when he was alive. I know completely where you're coming from, regardless. There is still a lot of unreleased Syd material.

psychedelicpiper he made sure all the syd singles goton the 'greatest hits' stuff ,,,

I dont think thats true at all... thet gave him royalties and David Gilmour provided all studio time and helped Syd arrange some songs that were kind of going all over and sys couldnt get them into a systematic cohesive pile. David Gilmour receieved zero money for the record sales and secretly paid Syd Barrett dor the time he spent in studio... believe me, I'm team Syd all the way and think he was one of the most beautiful human beings to ever grace this earth, Pink Floyd just couldnt work with him in a business aspect -I think they would explain to the public that Syd went crazy so that people would realize that Syd as a Musician was too notch but that he had an inpairment keeping him from remaining part of the band but that it certainly wasnt his musical ability... sometimes there is just nothing you can do for your friends who are declining into the sketchy and confusing depths of schizophrenia... ive witnessed it and it is a helpless feeling (some stagger and fall, after all its not easy bangin yer heart against some mad brother's wall)and they knew alot less of the disease back then -sorry, I love you for being a jiver of Syd Barrett. it it's unfair to blame the rest of the band for them making an inevitable creative, heartbreaking decision to clipse the cable. they couldnt help it, the split was scripted in the stars of the heavens. -plus im glad they did cause it forced him to go solo and put out one of the most soulful and sexy libraries of music there is on this wild blue world

djwaxthegroove You sure are paranoid! Imaginary Live footage being held back? You have a very warped view of Syd's story!

There is some. I saw about a fifteen second clip of them doing Astronomy Domine with Syd at his peak. Where is the whole thing?

Gen. - agree with you 100%.

I was thinking this too. Does that mean he looked the same way he did recording these tracks and meeting Floyd again?

@@joeyfloresiscool didn’t he have his head and eyebrows shaved and had also gained 10kg?

@@dazzyelizabeth2949 yup, there are photos of him at that time. It’s rather heartbreaking.

I’ve often wondered how Syd was even *allowed* to enter Abbey Road to visit PF during their session. I mean: have you ever tried getting past the front door at the studios without a valid reason? Imagine an unrecognisable Syd rocking up and saying, “I’m here to watch PF recording”. If you were on security, what would you do? Moreover, how did Syd even *know* where PF was on that day? There must’ve been some communication between him and the band.

@@EltonoutoftheclosetOfficial it’s becoming one of those things where the more I dig, the more I find out things I’m not liking…. Perhaps Johnny rotten said it best, “ever get the feeling you’re being cheated??”

Yes . good call.

Gary Waits : two geniuses ruined by drugs, at least Pete Green is still with us.

OMG you are the only person I’ve come across who has compared peter green to syd barrett. Not only is some music alike but them themselves of people are alike. Both acid casualties. Both deep hatred of the music system. Both just wanted to be creative musically rather than worrying about the fame and money. Barrett and Green two of my favourite musicians of all time.

Very much so - ‘End of the game’ is a real intense Wah-fest! I’ve always seen a parallel between the two artists, to an extent. Love them both.

End of the game is alot better though

craigwithington roger waters stole some other of his songs, just shuffle through syd's solo career and you'll soon hear smth similar

TheLewisma fake data

Oh man that's my favorite part man

@@TheLuismaBeaTle Sick. The way they treated him them stole his ideas.

Yes this and Waters and Gilmour sucks

I blame them entirely. If syd was taking it willingly different story, he reminds me of blind owl from canned heat syd was tired of people

Always wondered if Syd and Marc knew each other and played a few jams together.

Caverman he played guitar like Odilon Redon painted- he sang like the Brush strokes of Van Gogh..

Zatoichi Masseur true very true very artistically he played his guitar whoever said he was no eric claptan heck he just was syd barrett and we are thankful for that

Caverman totally agree amazing expression from this guy

Great name btw ...

Unfortunately that's just a colorful way to say that he really couldn't play.

He just walked out on the 3rd day of recording and never went back..i wish that he'd been able to finish them.

l could listen to he stuff all day long .

How wrong you are. When Syd left the band, Roger Waters became the main lyricist. Because of Syd leaving, Pink Floyd became who they are.

@@samlott99how wrong you are I oughta report you for misinformation 🥸

Yes, he most definitely was. Syd basically went MIA after these sessions until his death in 2006, without a word. Something definitely happened to him back in summer 67.

No ... He wasn,t .... He took alot of drugs which affected him to a degree -- BUT .... basically , he grew tired of music and he did not want to be a pop star > he lost interest in making music and bowed out . He did make the 2 solo albums which really got made with David Gilmour s insistance & help ( David played Bass & Drums on most of the songs ) . This recording from 1974 shows alot of promise ... but i fear syd just lost interest again . His sister sez he was just a different sort of person . In my opinion ... Roger ( syd ) Barrett was a very talented songwriter & musician . i myself look at it this way .... we are very lucky to have gotten what we did out of him ..... his first love was painting ... so he spent the rest of his life with that . ( he did have a guitar in his mothers house , BUT he only played it for his own amusement ) .

He had severe HPPD. Just that.

Most likely some manner of ASD/ADHD or mild schizotypy (schizophrenia light - not serious enough to warrant dx / treatment) explains almost all of his behavior, including the breakdown when forced WAY out of his comfort zone. Back in his comfort zone, he was copacetic. Just didn't seem keen on making music any more.

Problem is he was surrounded by negative jerks like roger waters

ew garageband no, its not garage band tooling idiot, you could never get anything like this, and yes they do have sparkle, you just have to listen

dude whats he talking About...- Syd groovvy guitar style is so beutiffull...... and scofffffff.... - MadCap and Barrett are even better than Piper- or any of Pink Floyds Albums......

it's syd messin in a studio with no band or production, what do you expect, musicians do this for hours n hours a day, there are some good ideas there, he just couldn't be bothered with the music industry (the octopus) anymore

This tape is at the wrong speed and should slowed down two semitones to judge it. Its like watching sped up rushes of a film. At the correct speed the vibe shifts and the listenability improves substantially.

@@brentallpress - Good point. Thanks. This also happened to an early Billy Joel LP "Cold Spring Harbor."

+uglycustard1 Syd.

Syd is, he recorded all of the parts for these sessions. The plan for the 1974 album was Syd would do guitar on one day, bass the next, drums the next, then vocals last. Syd didn't make it past the guitar and bass part.

What is going on in this comment? R u talkin about Syd or Gallagher? U just cracked my brain in half 🤪

@@bluecollar825 i should have said my favorite to draw or sketch id Gallagher. I still like drawing or painting with some Madcap Laughs and various Barrett stuff.

@@cynthiamarston2208 awesome!✌

+Sam Carver It would have been groovy if Nick and David had stayed a million miles away from him.

+fillherup jacko What???

@@fillherupjacko6841 rick is the only one that gets a pass

They did enough tributes for Syd already lmao. Also, then other Syd fans would complain that they steal his music and other garbage like that.

Syd would literally run away from them or any of his friends from the 60s so yeah I doubt it

Absolutely......I met him briefly in the 90's. While i'm nor making a Judgment on what he went through in the past, he seemed fine.

Syd Barrett How can I find the original one, I need to hear your voice... Messages that rush into my head