LP-Pink Floyd-Umma Gumma UK 1969 First Press Psych PROG

$

150

(UMMA GUMMA ) by (PINK FLOYD )...... ....( UK - HARVEST RECORDS - SHDW 1/2 BEAUTIFULLY Laminated *clean* Original... Rare and HIGHLY Collectible 1969 BRITISH first pressing TWO Lp set in lavishly laminated gatefold sleeve... The first issued cover features the Withdrawn and unbrushed "GIGI" Photo which was SOON airbrushed out in regard to legal threat of copyright concerns.... Although the sleeve notes say that the live material was recorded in June 1969, the first LP of Ummagumma was actually recorded live at Mothers Club, Birmingham, on 27 April 1969 and the following week at Manchester College of Commerce, on 2 May 1969. A recording with a split personality, Ummagumma presents a combination of a live recording with highly affected (and sometimes effective) studio work. The first part of the recording comprises the live set. The live version of Astronomy Domine (an old Barrett classic from Piper at the Gates of Dawn) is well handled by the band as a whole and Gilmour's guitar work is highly charged. The price of admission is worth it just to hear his work on this recording. Next comes Careful With That Axe, Eugene, a psychedelic epic that starts slowly with gentle percussion by Mason and a repetitive and simplistic baseline by Waters, then followed by the addition of some really neat reverberating organ textures by Wright, one spoken vocal line (the title of the song) followed by a long agonizing scream and then wild out-of-this world psychedelic guitar by Gilmour as the rest of the band goes berserk in support before gradually softening and ending- a startling piece for the time with truly murderous guitar by Gilmour. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun is a live version of the Waters piece from Saucerful of Secrets and is good with spacey landscapes. Saucerful of Secrets is quite good, more inner steller navigations. The studio work on this double album is highly experimental in many regards and quite mixed. Sysyphus is a dark but colorful work marked largely by highly textural and classically influenced piano play by Wright with a number of interesting percussive and sonic effects. (As a side note, around the time of this record, consideration was reportedly given by the band to producing an experimental album comprised solely of nonconventional instrumentation and musique concrete involving such instrumentation as rubber bands and aerosol cans. Since that plan was aborted, one wonders if parts of Ummagumma are the compromise.) At times, Sysyphus drags under the weight of the muddy keyboard figures and tempo but remains an interesting piece because of its elements, even if the sum is less than the parts here. Grantchester Meadows is a lovely folk-like acoustic ballad tastefully sung by Waters with fine acoustic guitar work by Gilmour. An interesting effect features a 'fly' being swatted at the end of the song that enhances a nearly flawless little piece of music. Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict is a remarkable piece of studio engineering replete with altered voices, strange animal-like noises and a crazed rhythm. This is a highly polarizing piece of music that frankly shows the band at its most experimental. Some of the repetitive figures sound like tape loop effects similar to what Steve Reich was doing in serious music circles at the time and some of the electronic effects are reminiscent of electronics pioneers like Morton Subotnick. It is a daring piece, and frankly, the band never got this daring again musically speaking... too bad. Narrow Way is a highly evocative but sometimes slow moving guitar showcase for David Gilmour with a number of interesting studio effects superimposed. The vocals are wonderful on top. Although not as flashy as some of the later output, this experimental piece of guitar work by Gilmour remains a decided favorite after all these years. Grand Vizier's Garden Party is the weakest link on the record. The flute play adds a nice touch, but it is not special. The background music is highly forgettable and overindulgant. Overall, "Ummagumma" supplies many intriguing moments. The live recordings provide an excellent insight into the capabilities of the band in concert at the period of 1970. Very adventurous progressive music, the degree of exploration and innovation by the band in this recording were never to be duplicated or exceeded by the band again. They approached the edge of the experimental cliff and then sheepishly stepped back. Overall the album rates highly because of the daring nature of the studio work and excellent representation of the band in concert during this period. 1. Astronomy Domine (8:29) 2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Instrumental) (8:50) 3. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (9:12) 4. Saucerful of Secrets (12:48) 5. Sysyphus, Pt. 1 (1:08) 6. Sysyphus, Pt. 2 (3:30) 7. Sysyphus, Pt. 3 (1:49) 8. Sysyphus, Pt. 4 (6:59) 9. Grantchester Meadows (7:26) 10. Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict (4:59) 11. Narrow Way, Pt. 1 (3:27) 12. Narrow Way, Pt. 2 (2:53) 13. Narrow Way, Pt. 3 (5:57) 14. Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Enterance, Pt. 1 (1:00) 15. Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Entertainment, Pt. 2 (7:06) 16. Grand Vizier's Garden Party: Exit, Pt. 3 (0:38) SL IS VG++ BEAUTIFULLY LAMINATED. THE ONLY FLAW IS SOME SLIGHT WEAR ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WHERE YOU INSERT THE RECORD. THE RECORDS ARE M- AND LOOK UNPLAYED COME IN THE ORIGINAL HARVEST INNER SLEEVE --A VERY BEAUTIFUL COPY FROM MY OWN COLLECTION. FOREIGN CUSTOMERS YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY EXTRA FOR REGISTERED AIRMAIL AS I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE CHANCES WITH THIS GEM. ).......

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