Pink Floyd
A Saucerful of Outtakes
Format: CD
Catalog: CO 25195 Chapter One Digital Recordings
Misc.: AAD Stereo GEMA
Produced: 1992
Date: 661031
Cover: Early photograph of Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett in the studio
Sources: 31 Oct 1966, 1967 Studio/Live
Tracks 1,2–First Pink Floyd – Studio – Session
Track 3—Studio – Session October 31, 1966
Track 4—Live London May 12, 1967
Tracks 5,14-Studio Outtakes 1967
Tracks 6-9–BBC Session September 30, 1967
Tracks 10-13–BBC Session December 19, 1967
- Lucy Leave 2:42
- I’m A Kingbee 2:57
- Interstellar Overdrive 16:46
- Astronomy Domine 3:51
- Experiment 1:25
- Flaming 2:35
- The Gnome 2:06
- Matilda Mother 3:17
- The Scarecrow 1:58
- Vegetable Man 3:12
- Pow R. Toc H. 2:53
- Scream Thy Last Scream 3:36
- Jugband Blues 3:47
- Silas Lane 1:13
Band:
Syd Barrett
Roger Waters
Rick Wright
Nick Mason
Xref: Outtakes From Outer Space
Quality: Tracks 1,2,5,14 — Ex
Track 3 — Sup
Track 4 — Ex-/VG+
Tracks 6-13 — VG-/G+
Comments:
The first three songs are interesting; Interstellar Overdrive is the Tonight Let’s All Make Love In London version. But with “Flaming” the quality goes down rapidly, with
lots of tape hiss and some distortion; there’s also some static, like it was recorded off a
radio that wasn’t quite tuned in. It’s really a pity, because “Vegetable Man” and “Scream
Thy Last Scream” are better performances than on Early Singles (although Scream..” lacks
the “chipmunk” voice). “Jugband Blues” has the brass band bit played on a kazoo, which
makes it sound much better. If you can stand lots of static and hiss, or are willing to lop
off the high end to get rid of it (even with Dolby and the treble knob turned all the way
down it was still quite audible), it’s an interesting roio; otherwise you should probably avoid
it. –KNM
Lucy Leave (First Pink Floyd studio session circa 1966) I’m A Kingbee (first Pink Floyd
studio session circa 1966)
There’s been a lot of controversy about these first two tracks. Supposedly an acetate was
discovered in late 1988 which had these two songs on it with the name “The Pink Floyd”
handwritten on it. Some people swear it’s not Floyd, others say it is. Either way they’re on
this CD in great sound quality. This version is better than the vinyl roio “The Sorcerer’s
Apprentice” from years ago which featured these tracks.
Interstellar Overdrive (French EP version)
This is the full version from the French EP (which was cut short for release). Good for a
listen if you’re an “IO” fan. Great sound quality.
Astronomy Domine’ (live promo version)
This is taken right from the Roundhouse promo vid that has been in circulation among
video traders. I believe that this is the first time it’s available on CD, so some collectors
may want to note that when thinking about picking this up.
Experiment (Outtake from Abbey Road Studios 1967)
This is one track that fans have been saying is/isn’t Floyd for years. This version is a bit
shorter than the “Sunshine” track on the Syd roio “Rhamadam”. An interesting track
supposedly from the “Piper” sessions.
The Gnome (BBC 1967) Mathilda Mother (BBC 1967) The Scarecrow (BBC 1967)
Vegetable Man (BBC 1967) Pow R Toc H (BBC 1967) Scream Thy Last Scream
(BBC 1967) Jugband Blues (BBC 1967) As you can see, these are all culled from the
various BBC sessions the Floyd did for the BBC. These are here in really fine sound
quality, and a nice way to pad out the disc. The only problem is that you can find every
Floyd BBC track on “The Complete BBC Sessions” CD from Great Dane also in great
sound quality. Either way, these tracks are a must for the early Floyd fans out there.
Silas Lane (Outtake with Floyd)
Those of you who have the “Opel” collection will recognize this track. This is the song
which eventually became “Silas Lang”, which Syd never released on his first two solo
albums. An interesting track, but I like the finished track better than this one. Also, this
one fades out early, unlike the longer version you can find on the “Vegetable Man” vinyl
roio. -TIBIRD
The track titled ‘Jugband Blues’ dated back to early Dec.’ 67, when it was recorded as a
possible single. The free-form middle section of ‘Jugband’ was played by six members of
the Salvation Army that Syd brought into the studio. They deserve particular credit since it
is believed that the only direction they were given was to play ‘what they wanted .’ – SLW
themidnightcafe.org 