- #SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS CRACKED#
- #SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS FULL#
- #SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS TV#
For the hippie generation, two serious blows were dealt when in December the link between the Manson family and their atrocities was fully uncovered and the tragic Altamont festival played out. The end of the year turned darker, much darker, and all too well showed that the 1960s were over. When the album was released things had changed.
The spring and summer also included the build-up to the moon landing, the anticipation of the Woodstock concert and, more importantly for Syd, the return to stage by Bob Dylan after three long years away from the public eye. Syd had in 1969 left behind him his annus horribilis and gained new hope, much thanks to Malcolm Jones, and new love with Gala Pinion. The cover art notwithstanding, The Madcap Laughs was actually created in a happy time window. Storm took weird to new levels with this inside cover! EMI probably did well in selecting among the April photos for the cover.
#SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS TV#
Top center, Syd seems to have his head stuck in a TV set and top left is an even more odd image and a bit of a mystery: A baby and some sort of tool against nasal congestion (?).
#SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS CRACKED#
To remove any debate about the nature of the imagery there is also an image of Syd with a cracked head at the bottom of the gatefold.
Storm shows us Syd Barrett with his head up in the clouds and beyond, and several creepy images that spawn almost like octopus tentacles from his torso.
#SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS FULL#
Some of these so-called yoga photos by Storm Thorgerson ended up on the inside of the original gatefold cover – with the madcap theme in full bloom. The less known but officially commissioned “yoga session” actually took place in October. The famous photo sessions with daffodils and a naked Iggy Rose took place in April. Some say it was held back not to compete with Ummagumma. In a distinctly non-commercial move, the album missed the Christmas market, in spite of a final recording session as early as July 26, 1969. Some how that makes it timeless.It was 50 years ago this month (3rd January 1970) that a most unique rock album was released, The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett – an example of “art brut” in music. and the way you kiss will always be a very special thing to me is one the most pathetic yet earnest lyrics ever put to tape. And how Late Night picks up off the gleeful idiocy with simmering symbols and chiming guitars - just as if Barrett packed a sunset into the finale of his album. I also have a great love for If It’s In You - the mistakes, the drunken stutters, the croaks and most of all those blithering rhymes: Henrietta she’s a mean go-getter got-to-write-her-a-letter is written on a post-it note somewhere in my mind.
Terrapin has looms full of sun warped guitar and Octopus has as many shifting rhythms as hooks - yet the tricks of these songs are made to look effortless by Barrett. I can always hear the opening to Dark Globe in my head, where are you now? Pussywillow that smiled honestly nonsensical yet imbued full of meaning, Barrett’s delivery elevating nonsense to catharsis. Reminds me of skipping school and going to the gardens in the city with nothing to do and no one to see.
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