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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Declan on July 20, 2006, at 15:06:21
Syd Barrett died of cancer at the age of 60. Not everyone will will remember the early Pink Floyd albums (before they became successful and soulless). In particular he wrote (I think) Arnold Layne, See Emily Play, Interstellar Overdrive, Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, and stuff like that. He took acid by the shovelfull and had the predictable long term reaction, eventually going into seclusion, having been kicked out of the group for some embarrassing US concerts (How I would like to have seen that. There was an innocent and ambitious aspect to the culture then. Taking handfulls of acid and playing to thousands of people....good grief!) He took up gardening and painting, lived in his mother's basement in Cambridge, and refused to speak to reporters (especially about Syd Barrtett). I think of him with affection.
Declan
Posted by Tabitha on July 21, 2006, at 0:29:38
In reply to Syd Barrett, posted by Declan on July 20, 2006, at 15:06:21
Was he the one that was crazy? Or was there another one. Or should I say 'mentally ill' here instead of crazy?
What are the long-term effects of heavy LSD use anyway?
Posted by Declan on July 21, 2006, at 4:15:00
In reply to Re: Syd Barrett, posted by Tabitha on July 21, 2006, at 0:29:38
I think he kinda went crazy form the acid. Most people who feel impelled to heavy LSD use are the sorts of people who may need it least. Everyone I've known who's used a lot of it has eventually ended up reading the Bible and often in the looney bin. Then they become stockmen or fencing contractors, bet on the dogs and become elaborately normal (if they can).
Posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 14:29:33
In reply to Re: Syd Barrett, posted by Declan on July 21, 2006, at 4:15:00
His solo albums are very sad and disturbing to me. They were made with the help of friends like David Gilmour after he had left Pink Floyd. He still had much of his talent, but the disorientation is obvious.
I used to listen to his music under the influence of LSD, and it was terrifying. Some seemed whimsical, but this paranoia and misunderstanding of what exactly was happening was always right there.
I can't listen to it now. I keep it around mostly for scholarly reasons. I think it is the most accurate artistic depiction of mental illness and/or hallucinagenic intoxication I've come across.
Posted by Declan on July 21, 2006, at 15:42:36
In reply to Re: Syd Barrett, posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 14:29:33
G'day James
I've never listened to his solo albums. Astronomy Domine from Ummagumma was impressive, though of course he didn't play on that. There is something fantastic and lethal in the feeling in that....I think in the words (it's so long ago)....'lightning flash, flicker flicker flicker flack' or something like that. I liked Corporal Klegg(sp?).
What are his solo albums?
Declan
Posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 15:58:26
In reply to Re: Syd Barrett » james K, posted by Declan on July 21, 2006, at 15:42:36
"The Madcap Laughs" and "Barrett". " It's no good trying to place your hand where I can't see because I understand that you're different than me. Yes I can tell that you can't be what you pretend." that's a sample lyric from madcap laughs. He apparently played his songs on acoustic then his art rock buddies added electric instrumentation after. Very trippy but very sad. They may be rare these days, they come in and out of print. 1969 and 1970 on Harvest records. "yes you're spinning around and around in a car with electric lights flashing very fast".
James K
Posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 16:01:19
In reply to Re: Syd Barrett » Declan, posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 15:58:26
Posted by Declan on July 21, 2006, at 17:29:09
In reply to wrong links oops (nm), posted by james K on July 21, 2006, at 16:01:19
Talking about this sort of stuff, James, did you listen to Roy Harper?
He did 'HQ' and, I've forgotten it now, but a song off it was called 'Tom Tiddler's Ground', I think.
Those lyrics reminded me of Roy Harper (a bit).
This is the end of the thread.
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