Opel (album)
Encyclopedia
Opel is an album released in 1988, compiled
from recordings made by former Pink Floyd
frontman Syd Barrett
between 1968 and 1970. It consists of 8 previously unreleased songs and 6 alternate versions of already released ones.
While Barrett only released two albums in 1970, The Madcap Laughs
and Barrett
, the existence of unreleased studio work was widely reported. After years of demand from Barrett's considerable fan base, Opel was compiled and released. Syd approved the new release but, despite its positive reviews, it failed to chart.
Guest musicians on "Clowns and Jugglers":
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
from recordings made by former Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
frontman Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
between 1968 and 1970. It consists of 8 previously unreleased songs and 6 alternate versions of already released ones.
While Barrett only released two albums in 1970, The Madcap Laughs
The Madcap Laughs
The Madcap Laughs is an album by British singer/songwriter Syd Barrett, released on 3 January 1970. It was his first solo album after being replaced in the band Pink Floyd by his old school friend David Gilmour.- History :...
and Barrett
Barrett (album)
Barrett was the second and final studio album of new material released by former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett. In February 1970, shortly after releasing his first album, The Madcap Laughs, Barrett appeared on John Peel's Top Gear radio show where he presented only one song from the newly released...
, the existence of unreleased studio work was widely reported. After years of demand from Barrett's considerable fan base, Opel was compiled and released. Syd approved the new release but, despite its positive reviews, it failed to chart.
Track listing
All songs by Syd Barrett, except where noted.- "Opel" – 6:26
- Take 9, Recorded 11 April 1969
- Produced by Malcolm JonesMalcolm JonesThe Malcolm Jones was an American automobile manufactured in Detroit from 1914 to 1915. It was a four-cylinder water-cooled cyclecar....
- Previously unreleased
- "Clowns and Jugglers (Octopus)Octopus (song)Octopus, also known as Clowns and Jugglers, is a 1969 song by Syd Barrett, and appeared on his first solo album, The Madcap Laughs. The album's title came about as a result of co-producer David Gilmour mishearing a line from this song Octopus, also known as Clowns and Jugglers, is a 1969 song by...
" – 3:27- Take 2, Recorded 20 July 1968
- Produced by Peter JennerPeter JennerPeter Jenner is a British music manager and a record producer. Jenner, Andrew King and the original four members of Pink Floyd were partners in Blackhill Enterprises.- Early career :...
- From The Madcap LaughsThe Madcap LaughsThe Madcap Laughs is an album by British singer/songwriter Syd Barrett, released on 3 January 1970. It was his first solo album after being replaced in the band Pink Floyd by his old school friend David Gilmour.- History :...
song no. 7
- "Rats" – 3:00
- Demo, Recorded 5 June 1970
- Produced by David GilmourDavid GilmourDavid Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
- From BarrettBarrett (album)Barrett was the second and final studio album of new material released by former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett. In February 1970, shortly after releasing his first album, The Madcap Laughs, Barrett appeared on John Peel's Top Gear radio show where he presented only one song from the newly released...
song no. 5
- "Golden Hair " – 1:44 (Barrett/JoyceJames JoyceJames Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
)- Take 6, Recorded 12 June 1969
- Produced by Syd Barrett and David Gilmour
- From The Madcap LaughsThe Madcap LaughsThe Madcap Laughs is an album by British singer/songwriter Syd Barrett, released on 3 January 1970. It was his first solo album after being replaced in the band Pink Floyd by his old school friend David Gilmour.- History :...
song no. 8
- "Dolly Rocker" – 3:01
- Take 1, Recorded 14 July 1970
- Produced by David Gilmour
- Previously unreleased
- "Word Song" – 3:19
- Take 1, Recorded 17 July 1970
- Produced by David Gilmour
- Previously unreleased
- "Wined and Dined" – 3:03
- Demo, Recorded 5 June 1970
- Produced by David Gilmour
- From BarrettBarrett (album)Barrett was the second and final studio album of new material released by former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett. In February 1970, shortly after releasing his first album, The Madcap Laughs, Barrett appeared on John Peel's Top Gear radio show where he presented only one song from the newly released...
song no. 10
- "Swan Lee (Silas Lang)" – 3:13
- Take 5, Recorded 28 May 1968, overdubs added 8 June 1968
- Produced by Peter Jenner
- Further overdubs added 25 April 1969
- Produced by Malcolm Jones
- Previously unreleased
- "Birdie Hop" – 2:30
- Demo, Recorded 5 June 1970
- Produced by David Gilmour
- Previously unreleased
- "Let's Split" – 2:23
- Take 1, Recorded 14 July 1970
- Produced by David Gilmour
- Previously unreleased
- "Lanky (Part One)" – 5:32
- Take 1, Recorded 14 May 1968
- Produced by Peter Jenner
- Previously unreleased
- "Wouldn't You Miss Me (Dark Globe)Dark Globe"Dark Globe" also known as "Wouldn't You Miss Me" is a song by Syd Barrett for his first solo album The Madcap Laughs, and the last track to be recorded. It is notable for its lyrics which seem to make a point about his former bandmates in Pink Floyd, and how apparently easy it was for them to...
" – 3:00- Take 1, Recorded 26 July 1969
- Produced by David Gilmour and Roger WatersRoger WatersGeorge Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
- From The Madcap LaughsThe Madcap LaughsThe Madcap Laughs is an album by British singer/songwriter Syd Barrett, released on 3 January 1970. It was his first solo album after being replaced in the band Pink Floyd by his old school friend David Gilmour.- History :...
song no. 5
- "Milky Way" – 3:07
- Take 5, Recorded 7 June 1970
- Produced by David Gilmour
- Previously unreleased
- "Golden Hair" – 1:56 (Instrumental version)
- Take 1, Recorded 14 May 1968
- Produced by Peter Jenner
- From The Madcap Laughs song no. 8
- In 1993, Opel was re-issued with several bonus tracks of further alternate takes. See Crazy DiamondCrazy DiamondCrazy Diamond is a 1993 triple-CD boxed set of Syd Barrett's two 1970 albums The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, and Opel, an out-takes compilation from 1988...
for track details.
Personnel
- Syd BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
- GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Vocals, producer - David GilmourDavid GilmourDavid Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
- ProducerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Peter JennerPeter JennerPeter Jenner is a British music manager and a record producer. Jenner, Andrew King and the original four members of Pink Floyd were partners in Blackhill Enterprises.- Early career :...
- Producer - Malcolm Jones - Producer
- Roger WatersRoger WatersGeorge Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
- Producer
Guest musicians on "Clowns and Jugglers":
- Mike RatledgeMike RatledgeMichael Roland "Mike" Ratledge is a British musician. Ratledge was part of the Canterbury scene and a long-time member of Soft Machine.-Biography and career:...
- OrganOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with... - Robert WyattRobert WyattRobert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...
- DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - Hugh HopperHugh HopperHugh Colin Hopper was a progressive rock and jazz fusion bass guitarist. He was a prominent member of the Canterbury scene, as a member of Soft Machine and various other related bands.-Early career:...
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....