Live Review: Syd Barrett Madcap's Last Laugh at London Barbican - 10th May 2007

Author: Dollyrocker

What hasn't already been said about recently deceased reclusive guitar legend Syd Barrett? Probably really nothing noteworthy since about 1975, when Roger as his family call him completely packed in music and headed home to Cambridge. So, following his sad passing away last year, Joe Boyd has spent the past six months planning a tribute night that would really just concentrate on the guys music. This, after all is what made Syd a legend. His Pink Floyd were responsible for the birth of Psychedelia in it's most intense form. About as far away from the jangly US sunshine pop as you could get in '66, Syd married his echo slide effects and fuzzy noize to trance like organ twiddles and oil projections to mindblowing effect. Without Syd, there may have been no Rave, and god knows what Rod Stewart might have got away with..

The tribute show was put together at the London Barbican Centre, a very suitable venue as it was all seated and by miracle, the last minute tickets I managed to blag on the day were in the very front row bang in the middle. NICE! The people performing Syd songs were mainly made up from well known Syd devotees, Kevin Ayers, Damon Albarn, Andy Bell, Captain Sensible, Robyn Hitchcock and many others which will be reviewed in this piece.

The show opened with an interested accapella version of 'Bike' from Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, performed by Sense Of Sound Chior, which went down fairly well, although I'm surprised they didn't do 'Golden Hair' or something that would have allowed them to flex their wonderful harmonies. Captain Sensible fronted the house band for the evening, performing a really amazing version of 'Flaming' with Andy Bell, aka 'Oasis Bloke' on bass. Original projections from the early Floyd era were shown throughout the night, adding a great deal to an already generous show.

Kevin Ayers was there to show tribute to his old friend, slightly crowd shy but performing a moving version of a track written for Syd years ago, called 'Oh, Wot A Dream' which quite a few people seemed to sing along to. He also did a great version of 'Here I Go' as well, bringing quite a swing to it and even having a little dance. Cute. Damon Albarn came on and did a very touching little talk on Syd, inviting Syds's nephew onto the stage to say a few words about his uncle. What was hilarious though, was that Damon blatantly passed him some spliff before he took the mic which meant that his nephew was well cained and a little erm, 'overwhelmed'. Class. Damon performed 'Word Song' on a mini keyboard, bringing some excellent humour to the show and a genuinely good interpretation.

Robyn Hitchcock played a beautiful version of 'Terrapin' on acoustic guitar, and a not so great version of 'Gigolo Aunt' which frankly, would have been better of covered by The Bees. The Bees played an outstanding and downright funky version of 'Octopus', bringing their live bongos and feelgood vibes to the show. Chrissie Hynde played a nice take on 'Wouldn't You Miss Me?' and a great cover of 'Late Night' too, with some great slide guitar. Eager rumours that Roger and Nick were backstage were flying around too, oh my.

So, before the first interval Roger came on and did a really heartfelt talk on Syd, and sat down to perform and sing one of his own songs 'I Shall Be Moved' and it was just so beautiful. I was actually thinking that he might have written in especially for the show as I didn't recognise it, but maybe not. 'Pink Floyd!!' shouted a guy at the back, completely unsuitably, and when Roger replied with 'later' I figured he might come back with Nick and done 'Wish You Were Here'. Sadly not though, Pink Floyd were introduced to end the show but without Roger, and with MR FUCKING OASIS on bass. Good god. How wrong was that? Also, they covered 'Arnold Layne' which was just done without any soul, and Dave barely even sang the words. So, nice that they decided to appear, so sad that they obviously couldn't see fit to perform with Roger. That sucked. Big time.

Still, overall, a really really good and well put together evening, the visuals were ace, the various interpretations were mainly fantastic, and it was a touching tribute.

Thanks Joe. x