The Madcap Laughs
Encyclopedia
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
.
in May 1968. The sessions were brief, as the project was abandoned for almost a year which Barrett spent as a recluse. In April 1969, Malcolm Jones
took over the project and Barrett began working on newer material, while reworking the 1968 recordings. Session musicians, namely, members of The Soft Machine
, as well as Humble Pie
drummer Jerry Shirley
were also called in to augment Barrett's songs. It is still a mystery why Jones abandoned production responsibilities, at the end of May, so soon after having assumed them. Jones' recollections of the sessions are that he and Barrett got on well together and had in fact completed half of the album before the new producers took over.
Roger Waters
and David Gilmour were in the process of completing Pink Floyd's Ummagumma
album when they got involved with The Madcap Laughs that July and helped Barrett finish his album, "in a two-day sprint" according to Rick Sanders, author of Pink Floyd (Futura Publications, 1976).
The album featured a rather unorthodox recording process, in which Syd would provide a backing track of his own singing accompanied by acoustic guitar, over which the session musicians would overdub the rest of the arrangement. However, Syd's playing and singing were highly erratic and unpredictable—he skipped or added beats and bars seemingly at random, or otherwise he would strum on a single chord for a long time before unexpectedly reverting back to the main portion of the song. This was all much to the frustration of the session musicians; a close listen to several tracks [in particular "No Good Trying" and "Love You"] will reveal the backing band hovering uncertainly here, or being caught off-guard by a chord change there (during an interview, Robert Wyatt
recounted that musicians would ask "What key is that in, Syd?" and Barrett would reply "Yeah", or "That's funny"). Syd would not allow the musicians to rehearse or re-record their overdubs, insisting that they sounded fine. After several months of intermittent recording, the album was finally deemed complete.
The title The Madcap Laughs came about as a result of David Gilmour mishearing a line from the song "Octopus
" ("Well, the mad cat laughed at the man on the border...").
The cover shows Syd Barrett in his living room. The nude woman appearing on the backside of the record sleeve was an acquaintance of his known as "Iggy the Eskimo". Photographer Mick Rock
says, "When I arrived for 'The Madcap Laughs' photo session, Syd was still in his underpants .. His lady friend of two weeks, 'Iggy the Eskimo', was naked in the kitchen ..". In October 2010 she was interviewed, revealing her name is Evelyn and she is of an Anglo-Pakistani background.
"Octopus" was released as a single in November 1969 and the album itself followed in January 1970. It reached #40 in the UK at the time and was fairly well-reviewed.
As part of Harvest Records
's "Harvest Heritage" series of reissues—and to capitalise on the breakthrough commercial success of Pink Floyd—The Madcap Laughs was re-released in September 1974 as record one of a double album, record two being Barrett's second and last solo album, Barrett
.
Side one
Side two
Production personnel
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...
, released on 3 January 1970. It was his first solo album after being replaced in the band 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...
by his old school friend David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David 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...
.
History
After leaving the group, Barrett began recording sessions with former Pink Floyd-turned-Syd Barrett manager Peter JennerPeter Jenner
Peter 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 :...
in May 1968. The sessions were brief, as the project was abandoned for almost a year which Barrett spent as a recluse. In April 1969, Malcolm Jones
Malcolm Jones
The Malcolm Jones was an American automobile manufactured in Detroit from 1914 to 1915. It was a four-cylinder water-cooled cyclecar....
took over the project and Barrett began working on newer material, while reworking the 1968 recordings. Session musicians, namely, members of The Soft Machine
Soft Machine
Soft Machine were an English rock band from Canterbury, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. They were one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene, and helped pioneer the progressive rock genre...
, as well as Humble Pie
Humble Pie (band)
Humble Pie was a rock band from England, finding success both in the UK and the US. They are remembered for songs such as "Black Coffee" "30 Days in the Hole", "I Don't Need No Doctor", and "Natural Born Bugie"...
drummer Jerry Shirley
Jerry Shirley
Jerry Shirley is an English rock drummer, best known for his work with the rock band Humble Pie and appeared on all their albums...
were also called in to augment Barrett's songs. It is still a mystery why Jones abandoned production responsibilities, at the end of May, so soon after having assumed them. Jones' recollections of the sessions are that he and Barrett got on well together and had in fact completed half of the album before the new producers took over.
Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George 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...
and David Gilmour were in the process of completing Pink Floyd's Ummagumma
Ummagumma
Ummagumma is a double album by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in 1969 by Harvest and EMI in the United Kingdom and Harvest and Capitol in the United States...
album when they got involved with The Madcap Laughs that July and helped Barrett finish his album, "in a two-day sprint" according to Rick Sanders, author of Pink Floyd (Futura Publications, 1976).
The album featured a rather unorthodox recording process, in which Syd would provide a backing track of his own singing accompanied by acoustic guitar, over which the session musicians would overdub the rest of the arrangement. However, Syd's playing and singing were highly erratic and unpredictable—he skipped or added beats and bars seemingly at random, or otherwise he would strum on a single chord for a long time before unexpectedly reverting back to the main portion of the song. This was all much to the frustration of the session musicians; a close listen to several tracks [in particular "No Good Trying" and "Love You"] will reveal the backing band hovering uncertainly here, or being caught off-guard by a chord change there (during an interview, Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt
Robert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...
recounted that musicians would ask "What key is that in, Syd?" and Barrett would reply "Yeah", or "That's funny"). Syd would not allow the musicians to rehearse or re-record their overdubs, insisting that they sounded fine. After several months of intermittent recording, the album was finally deemed complete.
The title The Madcap Laughs came about as a result of David Gilmour mishearing a line from the song "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...
" ("Well, the mad cat laughed at the man on the border...").
The cover shows Syd Barrett in his living room. The nude woman appearing on the backside of the record sleeve was an acquaintance of his known as "Iggy the Eskimo". Photographer Mick Rock
Mick Rock
Mick Rock is a British photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie...
says, "When I arrived for 'The Madcap Laughs' photo session, Syd was still in his underpants .. His lady friend of two weeks, 'Iggy the Eskimo', was naked in the kitchen ..". In October 2010 she was interviewed, revealing her name is Evelyn and she is of an Anglo-Pakistani background.
"Octopus" was released as a single in November 1969 and the album itself followed in January 1970. It reached #40 in the UK at the time and was fairly well-reviewed.
As part of Harvest Records
Harvest Records
-References:* Harvest Records collectors guide ISBN 978-5-9622-0021-7...
's "Harvest Heritage" series of reissues—and to capitalise on the breakthrough commercial success of Pink Floyd—The Madcap Laughs was re-released in September 1974 as record one of a double album, record two being Barrett's second and last solo album, 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...
.
Track listing
All songs by Syd Barrett, except where noted.Side one
- "TerrapinTerrapin (song)"Terrapin" is a song by Syd Barrett that appears as the first track off his first solo album The Madcap Laughs and is notably the sole representative from that album that appears on The Peel Session...
" – 5:04- Take 1, recorded 11 April 1969, overdubs added 4 May
- Produced by Malcolm Jones
- "No Good Trying" – 3:26
- Take 3, recorded 11 April 1969, overdubs added 3/4 May
- Produced by Malcolm Jones
- "Love You" – 2:30
- Take 4, recorded 11 April 1969, overdubs added 3 May
- Produced by Malcolm Jones
- "No Man's Land" – 3:03
- Take 5, recorded 17 April 1969, overdubs added 4 May
- Produced by Malcolm Jones
- "Dark GlobeDark 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...
" – 2:02- Take 1, recorded 5 August 1969
- Produced by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
- "Here I GoHere I Go (Syd Barrett Song)"Here I Go" is a song by English singer/songwriter Syd Barrett and is the sixth track on his first solo album, The Madcap Laughs....
" – 3:11- Take 5, recorded 17 April 1969
- Produced by Malcolm Jones
Side two
- "OctopusOctopus (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...
" – 3:47- Take 11, recorded 12 June 1969, overdubs added 13 June
- Produced by Syd Barrett and David Gilmour
- "Golden Hair" – 1:59 (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 11, recorded 12 June 1969
- Produced by Syd Barrett and David Gilmour
- "Long Gone" – 2:50
- Take 1, recorded 26 July 1969
- Produced by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
- "She Took a Long Cold Look" – 1:55
- Take 5, recorded 26 July 1969
- Produced by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
- "Feel" – 2:17
- Take 1, recorded 26 July 1969
- Produced by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
- "If It's in You" – 2:26
- Take 5, recorded 26 April 1969
- Produced by Malcolm Jones
- "Late Night" – 3:10
- Take 2, recorded 28 May 1968, overdubs added 11 April 1969
- Produced by Pete Jenner, Malcolm Jones (overdubs)
- In 1993, The Madcap Laughs was reissued with several bonus tracks of 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...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - 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...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, 12-string acoustic guitar, drums (on "Octopus"), productionRecord 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... - 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...
– production - Jerry ShirleyJerry ShirleyJerry Shirley is an English rock drummer, best known for his work with the rock band Humble Pie and appeared on all their albums...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - John Wilson – drums
- Vic Saywell – hornHorn (instrument)The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
- 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...
– drums on 2 and 3 (from Soft Machine) - 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:...
– bass on 2 and 3 (from Soft MachineSoft MachineSoft Machine were an English rock band from Canterbury, named after the book The Soft Machine by William S. Burroughs. They were one of the central bands in the Canterbury scene, and helped pioneer the progressive rock genre...
) - 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:...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
on 2 and 3 (from Soft Machine)
Production personnel
- Tony Clark – engineer
- Storm ThorgersonStorm ThorgersonStorm Thorgerson is an English graphic designer, known for his work for rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, 10cc, Dream Theater, The Mars Volta, Muse, The Cranberries, and Biffy Clyro.-Biography:...
– photographyPhotographyPhotography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film... - HipgnosisHipgnosisHipgnosis was a British art design group that specialized in creating cover art for the albums of rock musicians and bands, most notably Pink Floyd, T.Rex, The Pretty Things, UFO, 10cc, Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Scorpions, Yes, The Alan Parsons Project, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, ELO and XTC...
– cover design - Jeff Jarratt – engineer
- 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 on 1, 2, 3, 6 and 13
- Phil McDonald – engineer
- Peter MewPeter MewPeter Mew is a British music audio engineer at Abbey Road Studios where he is now senior mastering engineer. He came to Abbey Road in 1965 as a tape operator and has since worked with many artists at the studio...
– engineer - Mike Sheady – engineer