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An open letter to David Gilmour By Rick Karhu
Help us fans out here, if you can. For many years now there have circulated amongst fans of Pink Floyd a few rumors about Syd Barrett and his recordings. Those rumors involve you to some extent, so I'm hoping you can clarify or dispel the rumors. It is rumored that locked away in some secret place is a bevy of unreleased recordings of Syd. The rumors vary depending on the source. Some have it that they are nothing more than unreleased demos and bits and pieces of worthless studio recordings. Some say that they are live recordings, while others claim that they are alternate takes of music Syd performed on his solo albums which you helped to produce. The most hopeful of the rumor-mongers claim that those unreleased recordings are songs never before heard by Floyd fans. I tend to discount rumors quickly, but the optimist in me would love to believe that last scenario. Here's what I am hoping you can do, David. Either dispel these rumors as hoaxes once and for all or confirm them. I'm asking you because almost invariably these rumors indicate that David Gilmour owns the tapes. If you do actually see and read this request (and I have no reason to think you will) please don't email me. As much as I would be thrilled to receive an email from any of the Floyds, past or present, it's simply too easy for people to pretend to be you or any member of Pink Floyd. (Sadly, I can think of more than one instance of such deception so even if you did send email, I would likely not believe it.) I believe I speak for a lot of fans anyway, so perhaps in a future interview or public appearance, you could deal with the rumors once and for all. To deal with the topic in a public and highly visible manner, would be great, would address all those who wonder about this the way I do. There is another part to my request and it hinges on whether or not there really is any more of Syd's songs locked away somewhere. If there are no more songs or material lying around in some vault, then you can stop reading now and I thank you for your time. If, however, there really is some truth to the rumors, please read on. To a lot of Pink Floyd fans and musicians, Syd Barrett has achieved something of a mythic status, even given his lamentably short time in the spotlight. The small amount of music he produced in the late '60s has influenced some noteworthy artists, many of whom cite Barrett as a primary inspiration. In many ways, Syd's music has evolved into something more important than just the pop-psychedelic ramblings of an ill-fated musician. His songs and ideas have become important to many people. It was an easy decision for us to devote an entire issue of Spare Bricks to Syd and his music; frankly, one issue barely scratches the surface. I am a fan of the late surrealist painter and artist Salvador Dali. While many of Dali's paintings are available for viewing by the public, some of Dali's works are locked up in private collections, and some of them may never see the light of day in my lifetime. Dali, like Barrett, produced work that touched a wide range of people and artists and influenced people in ways that can hardly be imagined. Their work has resonance and depth, and should be seen, should be available to touch, move and inspire people. Whether an artist's works are locked away in a private collection or tucked away in a vault is irrelevant. The point is this: the work is there and should be seen and heard, not kept a secret. I feel that locking away something of such artistic importance is simply wrong. I am not alone in that belief. An artist like Barrett comes along only too infrequently. If there is any truth to these rumors and there really are songs locked away somewhere in your possession, I hope you will consider taking the time and effort required in bringing them out where they can continue to inspire new fans and artists. Thank you. Sincerely, Rick Karhu Why I hope fortune cookies aren't all they're cracked up to be
I couldn't help laugh at the possible second meaning of that phrase. After all, I would be more than happy to stay off the sizeable list of folks who have "crossed the great Waters." They tend to be a rather unhappy lot. The fortune comes at an interesting time. This issue will be updated shortly after the SFX radio broadcast of an interview with Roger Waters where he discusses his forthcoming live album, the tour, the fans, Syd, and many other interesting topics. After the broadcast, readers of Spare Bricks (thanks to the diligence of Johnny Valenzuela) will be treated to an exclusive transcript of the Waters interview, which will include segments not aired on the broadcast. Needless to say, it should be quite an entertaining read given that Waters was interviewed by his old pal, Jim Ladd, and that (rumor has it) Waters was feeling rather cross with the whole situation. I'm sure it's going to be a spectacular read. So until then... ...goodbye. |
Dear
David Gilmour,
I
recently got one of the most entertaining fortunes from a fortune cookie.
I had just finished a wonderful meal with my wife and daughter at our
favorite local Chinese restaurant and I sat back, cracked open my cookie,
and was hit with this: "You will soon be crossing the great waters."