Madcap: The Half-Life of Syd Barrett, "Pink Floyd's" Lost Genius |
 |
 click here for more details, find new or used items |
Tim Willis
|
|
Pages: 176 (Paperback)
ISBN: 190409550X
Pub: Short Books, London
Pub date: 2003-07-03
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 58082
Reader Reviews:
Amateur Journalism by quite an unpleasant character (2/2 people found this helpful)
Very poorly written book how this guy makes money I do not know - nothing new about Syd emerges in this book and it took me a long time to read as many of its subjective murmurings really were quite banal the only good thing are the pictures. He also takes time to slag off all other books about Barrett which I suspect is where most of his material came from in the first place. Don't waste your money and avoid anything by Tim Willis in future.
The best Barrett book (4/8 people found this helpful)
Whether you are new to the legend that is Syd Barrett, or have read all the other available books, this one for me was the most definitive, cutting through all the tabloid myth & hype your left with a very real account of the Syd Barrett story, the only dissapointment for me is how the authour, level headed & objective throughout the whole book gets caught up in the last chapter with his own encounter with Barrett, and starts trying to read meanings into a 30 second conversation that simply are not there, still the best Barrett book, forget the rest buy... this one
Opportunity blown (7/11 people found this helpful)
What with all the new information about Syd that has surfaced over the last 5 years, Tim Willis had a golden opportunity to
write from a far more knowlegable starting point than the previous two books came from.There are some interesting unpublished photo's and one or two interesting new interviews, but sadly, it comes down to the usual old cliche of 'Nutty old Syd'.As previously mentioned, the 'Interview' with Syd is a fabrication.There isn't one, the claiming of which is frankly pathetic.
Story - Myth - Legend (7/11 people found this helpful)
Willis is caught in his own web of the Barrett story becoming myth becoming legend. If you haven't read any of the other numerous books about Syd than this is as good a place to start but if you know something of the history you won't find the book offers much that is new. By far the most memorable part of the book to me was the excellent collection of photographs.
Syd was a great songwriter and the catalyst behind one of the greatest rock acts of all time - let's leave it at that.
Best book on Syd I've ever read!!! (2/4 people found this helpful)
This is without doubt the best book I have ever read about Syd Barrett - and the strange world of the psychedelic sixties. It is well-written with great pictures, and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about this weirdly enigmatic man and his contribution to pop culture.
Similar Products
Crazy Diamond: Syd Barrett and the Dawn of "Pink Floyd"
Random Precision: Recording the Music of Syd Barrett, 1965-1974
The Madcap Laughs
The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story
Psychedelic Renegades: Photos of Syd Barrett
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Music, Stage & Screen -> Music -> Styles -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Music, Stage & Screen -> Music -> Composers & Musicians -> Rock & Other Styles -> Pink Floyd
Books -> Subjects -> Music, Stage & Screen -> Music -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Film, Television & Music -> Music -> Rock & Pop
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Film, Television & Music -> Music -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Film, Television & Music -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)