THE SYD BARRETT STORY

For the sake of the accuracy: this is a re-issue from 2004, with a different cover. The first issue was published on DVD in 2003, with different cover and you can find it in PINK FLOYD entry. The full, official title of this documentary is "The Pink Floyd And Syd Barrett Story", hence the two separate entries - under Syd Barrett and under Pink Floyd.

I will try to focus this review more on Syd Barrett himself than on his interaction with Pink Floyd, but there is not much to say, because there is no story to tell, really.

I might be a bit too harsh, this documentary is not bad actually, but there's a lot to be desired because it is full of gaps. The rudimentary storyline is fine, but an average fan would prefer more songs (not just short excerpts), and more interviews with relevant people. Here we have interesting stories by PINK FLOYD members, by Syd's ex-girlfriend, and some artsy-fartsy nonsense from Syd's ex-landlord, or ex-roommate, or whatever he had been. At that stage of documentary I lost the majority of my interest and focus, because it's simply boring. The part of the documentary which describes the very beginnings of PINK FLOYD, the beginnings of Syd's musical career, British psychedelic scene and Syd's drug abuse - that was interesting, and should be prolonged, with more in-depth analysis. Description of his solo career is quite watered down - there are no facts about Syd's mental state, no interviews with his close relatives, no inner motifs or reflections.

There are two Syd's songs performed by a certain Mr. Hitchcock, and they are decent enough, despite the obvious fanboyism. But who could blame Hitchcock? He stops playing in the middle of the song, saying "Now, this part is really cool!"...and continues playing. That should annoy me, but for some reason it's okay, because he's right. Graham Coxon's performance is just awful. I really don't like him as an artist much, but he failed to provide a minimum of professionalism as it could be expected from him.

As the documentary goes towards its end, it's becoming more interesting again, most notably within the bonus material. For some additional information, check my review on PINK FLOYD entry, it's more focused on the band and it's interaction with Syd.

But we should keep in mind that poor old Mr. Barrett (he stopped using his nickname Syd in the seventies) passed away soon after this documentary was published, so the final chapter in Syd Barrett's story is not written yet. Perhaps it will never be.

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