Opel | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Compilation album by | ||||
Released | 17 October 1988 | |||
Recorded | Abbey Road, 14 May 1968 – 17 July 1970 | |||
Genre | Psychedelic folk, psychedelic rock | |||
Length | 45:53 (original release) 65:05 ( Crazy Diamond reissue) | |||
Label |
Harvest (UK) Capitol (US) | |||
Producer | Syd Barrett, Peter Jenner, Malcolm Jones, Roger Waters and David Gilmour | |||
Syd Barrett chronology | ||||
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Crazy Diamond reissue | ||||
Opel is a 1988 album compiled from recordings made by former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett between 1968 [nb 1] and 1970. [nb 2] The album is a compilation of unreleased material and alternate takes of recordings from sessions for Barrett's solo albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett.
Opel was released in October 1988 on Harvest in the UK, and on Capitol Records in the US. The album was remastered and reissued in 1993, along with Barrett's other albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett (both 1970), independently and as part of the Crazy Diamond box set. A newly remastered version was released in 2010.
The album was originally set to include the unreleased Barrett Pink Floyd songs " Scream Thy Last Scream" and " Vegetable Man", which had been remixed for the album by Jones. [3] However, the two songs were pulled by Pink Floyd [4] before Opel was finalised. [5]
While Barrett only released two albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, both in 1970, the existence of unreleased studio work was widely reported. After years of demand from Barrett's considerable fan base, Opel was compiled and released. Barrett personally approved the new release. [6]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [7] |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [9] |
MusicHound Rock | 3/5 [10] |
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide | [8] |
OndaRock | 7/10 [11] |
Opel consists of eight previously unreleased songs and alternate versions of six already released songs. The album was released due to the constant pressure from The Madcap Laughs producer, Malcolm Jones. [3] Despite its positive reviews, it failed to chart. AllMusic reviewer Richie Unterberger said the album was "charming", with the title track, "Swan Lee (Silas Lang)", "Dark Globe" and "Milky Way" as highlights. [7]
Opel (along with The Madcap Laughs and Barrett) was reissued both independently [nb 3] and as part of the Crazy Diamond Barrett box set, [nb 4] on 26 April 1993. [14] A newly remastered version was released in 2010. [nb 5]
All songs written by Syd Barrett, except "Golden Hair" (music by Barrett, based on a poem by James Joyce). All track information is taken from the Crazy Diamond version of Opel. [16]
No. | Title | Notes | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Opel" | *Take 9, recorded 11 April 1969
| 6:26 |
2. | " Clowns and Jugglers (Octopus)" | *Take 2, recorded 20 July 1968
| 3:27 |
3. | "Rats" | *Demo, recorded 5 June 1970
| 3:12 |
4. | "Golden Hair" | *Take 6, recorded 12 June 1969
| 1:44 |
5. | "Dolly Rocker" | *Take 1, recorded 14 July 1970
| 3:01 |
6. | "Word Song" | *Take 1, recorded 17 July 1970
| 3:19 |
7. | "Wined and Dined" | *Demo, recorded 5 June 1970
| 3:03 |
No. | Title | Notes | Length |
---|---|---|---|
8. | "Swan Lee (Silas Lang)" | *Take 9, recorded 11 April 1969
| 3:13 |
9. | "Birdie Hop" | *Demo, recorded 5 June 1970
| 2:30 |
10. | "Let's Split" | *Take 1, recorded 14 July 1970
| 2:23 |
11. | "Lanky (Part One)" | *Take 1, recorded 14 May 1968
| 5:32 |
12. | " Wouldn't You Miss Me (Dark Globe)" | *Take 1, recorded 26 July 1969
| 3:00 |
13. | " Milky Way" | *Take 5, recorded 7 June 1970
| 3:07 |
14. | "Golden Hair (Instrumental version)" | *Take 1, recorded 14 May 1968
| 1:56 |
Total length: | 45:53 |
No. | Title | Notes | Length |
---|---|---|---|
15. | "Gigolo Aunt" | *Take 9, recorded 27 February 1970
| 4:02 |
16. | "It Is Obvious" | *Take 3, recorded 17 July 1970
| 3:44 |
17. | "It Is Obvious" | *Take 5, recorded 17 July 1970
| 3:06 |
18. | "Clowns and Jugglers [Octopus]" | *Take 1, recorded 20 July 1968
| 3:33 |
19. | "Late Night (Instrumental)" | *Take 2, recorded 28 May 1968
| 3:19 |
20. | "Effervescing Elephant" | *Take 2, recorded 14 July 1970
| 1:28 |
Total length: | 65:05 |
Guest musicians on "Clowns and Jugglers":
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