Syd Barrett - Magnesium Proverbs

All Music Guide

A 23-track compilation that some fans may find to promise more than it really delivers. First off, about two-thirds of this is actually stuff that Barrett recorded with Pink Floyd. While this material is undeniably interesting, it's appeared elsewhere (particularly on the fine Barrett-era Pink Floyd bootleg compilation A Saucerful of Outtakes). Some of the tracks are rare British singles that are available on official releases (although those releases may be inconvenient to locate or expensive to purchase). And the rarest items--three songs from a 1970 BBC session, and three live songs from Barrett's only concert appearance (also in 1970)--are dampened by very poor sound. The BBC cuts are transistor-radio quality; on the live ones, the vocals are hardly audible. If this is the only Barrett bootleg you can find, you'll still find things to enjoy, like the early '66 bluesy Floyd demos and the oft-booted hissy '67 Floyd BBC broadcasts. It doesn't change the fact that it's a very uneven li...stening experience. - Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide Read more Less