A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

This transitional lp is a mixed bag of sorts. It has some strong material and not so strong material. This is the album that signified Syd's end and there was a serious question mark as to whether the band could carry on without him. While not as strong as their 1st, Saucerful of Secrets gave proof that yes indeed they could carry on, surprising critics and fans alike.

It opens with Let There Be More Light, which I always felt was weak compared to the singles version. This one lacked the bite and overall intensity as I felt the band tried too hard to make this into a mind blowing opener. The instrumental ending is too lnog and carries on endlessly lulling the listener to sleep. They should have stuck with the singles version of it.

Remember a Day...Oh how I wished Richard Wright wrote more tunes. What a lovely psychedelic tune that was actually written during the Barrett heydays, which is perhaps why this one is on here in the 1st place. Kind of a fond farewell to those glory days.

Set The Controls To The Heart of The Sun....This is a song that I have always felt had so much potential and yet came up somewhat wanting in every incarnation I have ever heard. The eerie, ethereal sound creates a perfect atmosphere and Roger's lyrics are awesome....if you can hear them. The problem is he is almost inaudible and his muffled singing really drags this tune down. Shame.

Corporal Clegg has always baffled me. I love this tune and yet so many of you have expressed your hatred of this great song. To me, you get a precognitive glimpse into Roger's angst over war, the military and his father's death. The song drips with sarcasm and bitterness with lyrics such as Corporal Clegg...won his medal in a dream...from her majesty the Queen...his boots were very Clean.., this is sung with this psychedelic reverb effect on his voice to give it a demented quality to the whole thing and then it falls into the chorus....Mrs Clegg...you must be proud of him....Mrs Clegg...another drop of gin....amazing!!

A Saucerful of Secrets...This would become an incredible instrumental on the Live version on Uma Gumma as well as Pompeii, but this original incarnation misses the mark. The most notable difference is the ending which just seems to dies listlessly with this lame choir of voices oohing and aahing impetently soft as the music comes to a close...yuk.....the spirited ending on the live version with Gilmour on the vocals is far better.

See Saw....yawn...zzzzzzz....This is Richard Wright's low point. This song has no energy and just seems to cary on aimlessly forever. It feels like it is twice as long and I find myself patiently awaiting the finale to this lp...

The great Jugband Blues....Syd Barrett's swan song is just pure brilliance. Incredibly crazy with a touch of madness(go figure) that is catchy all at once. Classic Barrett at his best....this song, along with Corporal Clegg make this lp worth the money. The lyrics fit his state of mind and the bizarre orchestra in the middle going in all directions will bring a whacked out ecstasy to the listener, WOW!!