Floyd for Floyd Fans

Here's some good stuff you won't hear on the radio.



Grantchester Medows (Live 1970)

Grantchester Meadows first appeared on Ummagumma, which I think is one of Pink Floyd's better albums. The Ummagumma version was written and performed entirely by Roger Waters and is not as good as this one. David Gilmour's voice contrasts nicely with Waters' in this version. Gilmour's superior guitar playing also makes this version better.



Astronomy Domine (Live 1969)

This version of Astronomy Domine also appeared on Ummagumma. I think it's the best version. Syd Barrett deserves the credit for writing the song, but Gilmour does a better job of playing the guitar parts. I guess it helped that Gilmour wasn't tripping every time he played. (Incidentally, this video has Chinese water dragons and a leopard gecko, which is better than staring at a picture of Pink Floyd with their musical equipment.)



Wish You Were Here (Live 1977)

The quality is not much on this version, but it's the only live version of Wish You Were Here that I know of before the band broke up in '83. The quasi-Pink Floyd has played it many times since, and Pink Floyd played it at Live 8, but... This song is still fantastic, even after having heard it so many times.



The Nile Song

The Nile Song is probably the "heaviest" of all Pink Floyd songs (with the exception, perhaps, of Ibiza Bar). This is especially true if one considers that it was released in 1969. Even the drums are "heavy" (which cannot be said about Young Lust). It's from the More album, and it makes my ears happy. Note the lyrics at around 1:20, where it says "she will bring me to the island in the sun." I wonder if this is where Weezer got the title to "Island in the Sun."


Echoes Part I (live at Pompeii)

I used to watch the Live at Pompeii video at least monthly when I was in high school. Needless to say, my priorities (and availability) have changed since then.