I honestly believe that Syd Barrett was some-kind of a genius. Not only was he one of the founding members of the band but he was also a great inspiration to music itself. Before Syd "left" the band, he was writing much of Pink Floyd's lyrics. I think that the lyrics he wrote before he left were absolutely brilliant. He had a natural connection to emotions and music and overall was a legend (even though he was not a part of Pink Floyd for most years). Here is one of the less-known, older songs I adore, written by Syd. It involves Syd's ongoing struggle and confusion with life, depression and the band-members. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIc2EgS9MNg]07 - Jugband Blues - Pink Floyd - YouTube[/ame] Enjoy! All opinions welcome!
His solo album is godlike too. Personally I like it more than anything Pink Floyd released after PATGOD. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrklBcXIQmU]Terrapin - Syd Barrett (The Madcap Laughs) - YouTube[/ame]
I fucking love pink floyd. The prism on the dark side cover was my first tattoo. This is my favorite earlier track: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJAt3NjGa-M]Pink Floyd - Ibiza Bar - YouTube[/ame]
I prefer gilmour to syd. but he was undeniably a musical genius, very ahead of his time. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR234BH9Cr4]Bike (Pink Floyd) - YouTube[/ame]
PS you can still see how much syd influenced the band, even when he had already left: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gE4UncSsAI]Pink Floyd - Live - Let There Be More Light - YouTube[/ame]
I'm a big fan of Syd's guitar playing. That isn't to say that Gilmour isn't also an ace player, but Syd's unusual for the time echo box sounds, ball-bearings on the fretboard, using a Zippo as a slide, those are all influential on the sound I try to recreate in my feeble, pathetic style. It's a shame he didn't record for a longer period of time as I'd intrigued as to where his guitar style would have gone from there.