Pink Floyd - Ummagumma (1969) 24-bit/96kHz
Psychedelic Rock, Progressive Rock | circa 1973 UK re-press | Harvest SHDW 1/2
For many years, this double LP was one of the most popular albums in Pink Floyd's pre-Dark Side of the Moon output, containing a live disc and a studio disc all for the price of one. The live set, recorded in Birmingham and Manchester in June 1969, is limited to four numbers, all drawn from the group's first two LPs or their then recent singles.
Featuring the band's second lineup (i.e., no Syd Barrett), the set shows off a very potent group, their sound held together on-stage by Nick Mason's assertive drumming and Roger Waters' powerful bass work, which keep the proceedings moving no matter how spaced out the music gets; they also sound like they've got the amplifiers to make their music count, which is more than the early band had. "Astronomy Domine," "Careful with That Axe Eugene," "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," and "A Saucerful of Secrets" are all superior here to their studio originals, done longer, louder, and harder, with a real edge to the playing. The studio disc was more experimental, each member getting a certain amount of space on the record to make his own music -- Richard Wright's "Sysyphus" was a pure keyboard work, featuring various synthesizers, organs, and pianos; David Gilmour's "The Narrow Way" was a three-part instrumental for acoustic and electric guitars and electronic keyboards; and Nick Mason's "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" made use of a vast range of acoustic and electric percussion devices. Roger Waters' "Grantchester Meadows" was a lyrical folk-like number unlike almost anything else the group ever did. Bruce Eder, Allmusic.
Track listing:
01. Astronomy Domine
02. Careful With That Axe, Eugene
03. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
04. A Saucerful Of Secrets
05. Sysyphus, Parts 1-4
06. Grantchester Meadows
07. Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict
08. The Narrow Way, Parts 1-3
09. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party, Part 1-Entrance, Part 2-Entertainment, Part 3-Exit
Personnel:
Pink Floyd:
David Gilmour - lead guitar, vocals, all instruments and vocals on "The Narrow Way"
Nick Mason - percussion, all instruments (except flutes) on "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party"
Roger Waters - bass guitar, vocals, all instruments and vocals on "Grantchester Meadows" and all instruments on "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict"
Richard Wright - organ, keyboards, vocals, all instruments and vocals on "Sysyphus"
Additional personnel:
Lindy Mason – flutes on "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" parts I and III (uncredited)
Brian Humphries – engineering (live album)
Pink Floyd – production (live album)
Peter Mew – engineering (studio album)
Norman Smith – production (studio album)
Hipgnosis – sleever design and photographs
Ron Geesin - additional vocals on "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict"
Technicals:
Knosti RCM.
Michell GyroDec full version.
Funk Firm FXR II Tonearm.
Audio Technica AT33PTG/II MC Cartridge.
Harman Kardon HK990 Integrated Amplifier.
Gold Interconnects. E-MU 0204 Audio Interface.
Recording, split and manual de-click with Adobe Audition 3.0.1
Click Repair 3.9.1
Vinyl transfer by son-of-albion, March 2014.