WORKS

This is probably the weirdest Floyd compilation. This was an attempt by Floyd's former record company to make some money after the success of the movie for The Wall released a year earlier. This is all pre-Columbia stuff(1967-73). It's half 'best of' and half 'odds and sods'. "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play" were both on Relics. Here they get a "fake stereo" treatment. The last two songs from DSOTM are here, but presented in their quadraphonic mix.

Included is a previously unreleased song. A demo for "Embryo", a song they played live between 1970-71. This version is shorter and lacks drums. The strangest inclusion is "Several Species..." from Ummagumma. Floyd newbies who bought this must have not seen that song coming. Also included is the single from Obscured By Clouds, "Free Four", and Meddle album track "Fearless". "One Of These Days" and the album version of "Set The Controls..." round out the compilation.

I don't understand why Floyd doesn't release their BBC sessions. If they did, everyone would get to hear a superior version of "Embryo". This is for completists. No compilation has ever done Floyd justice. 2 stars.