The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn [Discovery Edition] [Original recording remastered]

So much has been written about 'Piper' there's not much point in me adding my ha'penny's worth, though it remains one of the great debut albums of all time in my opinion (along with 'In the Court of the Crimson King' and 'Led Zep 1'). But there's a 'but'. There's already much speculation about possible 'Experience' and even 'Immersion' editions of this album (either singly or, in the case of the Immersion ed, paired with 'Saucerful'), so why buy this now? I think enough time has elapsed now that Piper shouldn't be treated as some kind of holy artefact that cannot be sullied with (whisper it) bonus tracks or even a bonus CD. There's an awful lot in the can that could result in a 'Piper Era' package, rather than Piper on its own. BBC Radio 2's 'The Record Producers' programme (2011) gave tantalising glimpses into the 4track originals of 'Arnold Layne' and its flip side, proving they're being investigated. I (and zillions others) would far rather the remaining members of Floyd bury any misgivings they have and allow as much as possible from the band's earliest days to be put out there.

This 3-CD release makes all those grumblers about 'another fan rip-off' look a bit daft. Sure - I've owned this album on vinyl, cassette, CD (twice) and STILL wanted this the day it came out. What sold it to me? The great price, the nice packaging . . . but most of all, another excuse to reappraise the music.
The mono version (designated Disc 1) is the definitive disc for me. It just rings out with greater clarity, clearly emphasising each band member, and has better internal balance. The stereo version is fine too of course - especially for that 'demented duck' noise at the end of 'Bike' (though perhaps the swinging from left to right channels at the end of 'Interstellar Overdrive' has always been a bit corny, if fun).
The singles disc is just over half an hour long, so with two copies of the same album (at 42 mins each), you really have bought the value of a double CD. The alternate versions are fascinating, with the always slightly dense 'Apples and Oranges' benefitting from being opened up by stereo.
The packaging is very generous - I see no 'fan rip-off'! It resembles a well-bound book, and has a decent booklet attached, containing lots of interesting band pics and lyrics. There's no essay (just as well, they are usually badly-written and full of errors!!), and sadly no reference to recording dates. But let's face it - the number of books and websites out there make up for it, and it's the music that counts. Slipped in is a Syd Barrett collage booklet, which does add to the 'confectionary' atmosphere. I'm glad to have this on the shelf next to the treasured Japanese-issue mini-sleeve CDs, and hope that EMI consider using the same format for other Pink Floyd albums. I'd love an enhanced 'Saucerful of Secrets' done exactly the same way, which would wrap up the Barrett legacy properly.
(Actually, an enhanced 'Saucerful' would surely have to include the legendary unreleased songs 'Scream thy last scream' and 'Vegetable man' . . . not only replacing the easily-found poor quality bootlegs every hardcore fan has, but making lots and lots of money. An artistic and financial coup. Come on, EMI, you know it makes sense!)

Space pixie Syd Barrett's crowning achievement was ultimately his first and last album recorded under the banner of Pink Floyd, when he was the driving force. Inspired by the harmonies and guitars of the Byrds' "Fifth Dimension" album of 1966, Syd penned the classic space rock opus Interstellar Overdrive and the album's opener Astronomy Domine. Building on the success of the early singles Arnold Layne and See Emily Play, Syd's songwriting talent came to the fore, and although typifying the whimsical edge of British psychedelia of the mid 1960's, his songs always had something extra that prevented them from degenerating into cheesy pop like many others did. Quite simply Piper was the best album of the era, with the driving, sinister Lucifer Sam and simply transcendant Mathilda Mother among the album's strongest cuts, also featuring the complete nonesense Bike song and the I-Ching inspired Chapter 24 among others. All areas of psychedelia were explored and to my mind never bettered by anyone. I used to love Sgt Pepper, but Piper blows it away making it sound overdone and pompous as if the Beatles were cashing in rather than innovating. Many people at the time of the album's release complained that Piper did not actively reflect the band's live music shows, which were apparently even more deranged. Little matter now. Over 30 years later Piper still sends shivers up my spine and makes me grin deliriously. Nothing will ever come close to this record, and I mean nothing. I've been an ardent fan of psychedelia in all it's forms for the past twenty years so I feel reasonably qualified to say this. As an afterthought, I would recommend this album to anyone, even if they are not fans of the era or style of music; this cd just might change your mind.