Ummagumma [LP]

by Pink Floyd

Overview

For many years, this double-LP was one of the most popular albums in Pink Floyd's pre-Dark Side of the Moon output, containing a live LP and a studio LP for the price of one. The live set, recorded in Birmingham and Manchester in June 1969, is limited to four numbers, all drawn from the group's first two LPs or their then-recent singles. Featuring the band's second lineup (i.e., no Syd Barrett), the set shows off a very potent group, their sound held together on-stage by Nick Mason's assertive drumming and Roger Waters' powerful bass work, which keep the proceedings moving no matter how spaced out the music gets. They also sound like they've got the amplifiers to make their music count, which is more than the early band had. "Astronomy Domine," "Careful with That Axe Eugene," "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," and "A Saucerful of Secrets" are all superior here to their studio originals, done longer, louder, and harder, with a real edge to the playing. The studio LP was more experimental, each member getting a certain amount of space on the record to make his own music -- Richard Wright's "Sysyphus" was a pure keyboard work, featuring various synthesizers, organs, and pianos; David Gilmour's "The Narrow Way" was a three-part instrumental for acoustic and electric guitars and electronic keyboards, and Nick Mason's "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" made use of a vast range of acoustic and electric percussion devices. Roger Waters' "Grantchester Meadows" was a lyrical folk-like number unlike almost anything else the group ever did. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	06/03/2016
Label:	Sony Music / Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	0888751842113
Rank:	34029

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Astronomy Domine [Live]
2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene [Live]
3. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun [Live]
4. A Saucerful of Secrets [Live]

Disc 2

5. Sysyphus, Pt. 1
6. Sysyphus, Pt. 2
7. Sysyphus, Pt. 3
8. Sysyphus, Pt. 4
9. Grantchester Meadows
10. Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving With a Pict
11. The Narrow Way, Pt. 1
12. The Narrow Way, Pt. 2
13. The Narrow Way, Pt. 3
14. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party, Pt. 1 [Entrance]
15. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party, Pt. 2 [Entertainment]
16. The Grand Vizier's Garden Party, Pt. 3 [Exit]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pink Floyd   Primary Artist
Roger Waters   Bass,Tape,Guitar,Vocals
Richard Wright   Organ,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Nick Mason   Percussion
David Gilmour   Tape,Drums,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Lindy Mason   Flute

Technical Credits

Hipgnosis   Sleeve Design,Photography
Roger Waters   Composer,Group Member
Richard Wright   Composer,Group Member
Peter Mew   Engineer
Nick Mason   Composer,Group Member
Pink Floyd   Producer
David Gilmour   Composer,Group Member
Brian Humphries   Engineer
Joel Plante   Mastering
Norman Smith   Producer
Syd Barrett   Composer
James Guthrie   Mastering