1968 Germin/ation

This review is in regard to the audio CD within this collection... Personally, I am not much of a TV person so who knows if I will have the chance to sit down and watch the DVDs. Maybe one day but nice to possess them anyway. I specifically purchased this collection just to get ahold of the rare singles, "Point Me At The Sky" and "It Would Be So Nice," which to the best of my knowledge have not appeared on CD since the bonus early singles CD that came with Pink Floyd's limited edition "Shine On" CD boxed set, released in the 1990's. So glad that both tracks are made commercially available again! Of course, stereo mixes of the flip sides of the titles I have already mentioned appear on the "Relics" CD ("Julia Dream"/"Careful with that Axe, Eugene"), so they weren't so difficult to come across... "It Would Be So Nice" reminds me of the 1967 era of The Beatles/The Moody Blues and "Point Me At The Sky" reminds me of the "heavier" sung tracks from the "More" album, including "The Nile Song." Would have liked it if there would have been an opportunity had the songs been mixed for stereo but they still sound amazing as they are, presented in mono... A shame to read in the liner notes that neither song failed to chart as each had its own creative flair about them with very catchy choruses in their own way.Continuing on with "Song 1," that track, in my opinion, would have fit in nicely with the variety of instrumentals found on the "More" album or as part of the Pink Floyd bonus material for their contributions to the "Zabriskie Point" soundtrack!The chanting on "Roger's Boogie" reminds me of the singing style of "Fleet Foxes!" That track also reminds me of a "Zabriskie Point" kind of song, as it doesn't exactly sound like the kind of song that would have fit on any of the Pink Floyd albums at that time... Had there been room on the "Atom Heart Mother" album, that would have been the most likely place for the song, I believe. :) Real groovy track though!Since the John Peel BBC radio show was before my time, while I listened to the dialogue before and after the BBC versions of some of the early Pink Floyd tracks (Which sound much like the originals BUT changed up in a few places for something refreshing, of course!) I thought that, from the sound of his voice, the announcer was indeed John Lennon! He even has the same wit and humor as Lennon had when listening to his interviews and movie dialogue from Lennon's early years with The Beatles! I found it amusing how, for one example, John Peel, I'm guessing, states that the finale of "A Saucerful of Secrets" sounds like Church music! I'll try not to give away any other spoilers. :)Since I have not yet purchased the remaining sets in this series as I compose this review, I have yet to find whether or not the version of "Embryo" from the "Works" compilation makes a reappearance anywhere in this series, preferably in a cleaner/re-mastered/mastered format, but I do like the BBC version presented here, slightly more fast-paced than the version I already know, plus a bit stronger on the double-tracked vocals!Last major highlight for me is indeed the closer, the BBC version of "Interstellar Overdrive," which actually has a more modernized sound at that time ... The sound went from a Syd Barrett kind of atmosphere to a more David Gilmour atmosphere. The track actually sounded like it was recorded during the "More" sessions as Richard Wright plays the organ in an almost-identical way to a few excerpts from couple of the tracks off of that album... Die-hard Pink Floyd fans of the "More" album who know it very well will spot the similarities when they listen at the right moments! ;)Of course, the mastering was mastered to perfection by Andy Jackson... You won't find this information within the package nor within the accompanying booklet that is attached to the packaging... You actually have to dig inside of a pocket folder near the back of the booklet and pull out another booklet to receive verification on that! Very clever! I always like to know if the music that is being re-released or previously unreleased in this age of technology is either mastered or re-mastered, as those responsible always do a superb job of presenting listeners with the cleanest sound possible: Ex: This also applied to my experience with reissues of albums by The Moody Blues, The Beatles, and the post-Beatles projects from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Wings!So glad to know that there is STILL so much more Pink Floyd material to discover, and this almost-an-hour disc of listening pleasure is just one perfect example... Never a dull moment and some of the most entertaining (For lack of a better word) material was presented! Also, try to purchase the "Immersion" box sets of some of the later Pink Floyd albums if you have the extra cash... "It Would Be So Nice!" ;)Thanks for reading and God Bless! ~"KevyGuy" :)

Been a huge Floyd nerd since being a kid in the 70's and there is footage here from the blu-Ray I knew existed but have never actually seen (promo video for Point me at the sky!) The early tracks are amazing to hear with such quality. Very pleased with this. The early promo material and . photos are just icing on the cake.

Great set overall, I am pleased with the music and the video. I didn't have any of the music or video on here, of course, it's a nice addition to the studio albums from this era. It's about time they released this stuff officially.The box is like a very nice digipak, with clear plastic trays for the CD and DVD/Bluray discs, a few pages of photos with a tracklisting, with a hardback cover, so it feels like a light hardcover book (about the size of two dvd cases). Seems sturdy enough, and nicer than usual CD size CD/DVD digipaks. The memorabilia is kept in a pocket, which is nice, but I could take it or leave it, not the most essential thing. There is also in the pocket, a little paper booklet with a short essay about the band, and full credits for all the tracks and video (also somewhat repeated from the tracklisting printed along with the photos).I really like that the movie discs are region free, so when put in the player either it goes straight to the menu, or starts playing the video immediately, there's no having to sit through an FBI anti-piracy warning in five languages. ( I wish ALL movies on disc were region free or had no piracy warnings). For the videos/interviews that are in a foreign language, it has subtitles available in multiple languages for the spoken word portions. The Bluray has that optimum video quality and easier to use menu access, but the DVD video quality is very good as well, on my TV I would be happy with either (same for the sound quality). The remastering of the video looks great.

good for multiple viewing

This set is more interesting for the video footage but the recently discovered Capitol Studios tracks are both very interesting and prefigure "The Western Theme" in "feel" that would later become the main theme to Atom Heart Mum & one can hear traces of the soon to be born "Cymbaline" in the material as well. As for the video footage, it's been said Syd "wasn't into miming" but Nick Mason is absolutely hilarious in some of the mimed performances, not even attempting to come close to the recorded drum parts oftentimes. There is some great comical footage around 1hr 6 mins. in with the boys apparently having some fun at the ridiculousness of having to do a mime to Remember a Day: there are smiles all around/Roger openly laughing and then feigning a muscle spasm or being electrocuted (!) during a close up of his bass guitar playing; Gilmour as well briefly doing a sort of heavy-metal guitar player posturing to the camera (to an acoustic guitar part); Roger's clearly having a ball here. Worth having just for this fun footage but there's also some great actual live performances here as well. One can sense Roger looming over the proceedings throughout to make sure things are on course. Gilmour is clearly finding his way here after having just recently joined the band with Rick more "center stage" handling many of the lead vocals (it's interesting to see a more Rick "led" Floyd in the vocal dept. at this point while Gilmour is a little more in the background). Some great, energetic versions of Astronomy Domine and a very interesting version of Interstellar Overdrive from Rome here which already shows the band jettisoning the wild/frenetic free-for-all performances in the past in favour of a more restrained/tighter approach to the piece with great use of dynamics (already apparent). In a couple of the late 68 performances Gilmour appears like Hendrix in chaps and with a cream coloured Fender Strat like Hendrix used to use. Overall, a must have for fans of Floyd's early years even if it's a little strong in the videos for the Let there be more Light track.

De lo mejor que he adquirido. Muy bueno.

Cofanetto imperdibile di buona qualità per tutti gli amanti del gruppo.Da avere...Menzione speciale al venditore veramente 🔝

Pour tous les fondus de Pink Floyd

Llamo a este Box set “El hermano pequeño” porque es la caja de los Early years que menos material inédito de audio aporta. Un solo CD de 59 minutos con los singles no incluidos en su segundo álbum de estudio (Práctica habitual de la época para vender los singles aparte de los álbumes) Y grabaciones de junio y diciembre para la BBC. Pero no nos llevemos a engaño, ya que tanto el DVD como el Blu-Ray tienen 84 minutazos de material audiovisual muy jugoso.El segundo disco de estudio “A Saucerful of Secrets” no se incluye en el Box set, por lo que hay que adquirirlo por separado.El formato Audio-libro es un formato similar a los que edita Chrysalis para Jethro Tull, salvo que en los Audio-libros de Jethro Tull se incluye un extensísimo libreto contándote la vida, obra y milagros que abarcaron la producción del disco en cuestión. Cosa que aquí, se supedita a 14 páginas con fotos sueltas intercaladas con el listado de canciones y videos incluidos en el Box Set. Es decir, nada de información útil. Incluye también, junto a la memorabilia un Libreto muy sobrio de 12 páginas explicando los créditos de los discos de una manera un poco más extensa, pero sin alusión alguna a la historia o concepción del material contenido en el Box-set.MEMORABILIAEste Box set trae muy poquita. Compuesta de reproducciones de flyers, entradas y hojas promocionales. A destacar la reproducción del cartel “Theatre 140” de Bélgica.CD1. Singles no incluidos en el LP “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” 1. Point Me At The Sky – Cara A 2. It Would Be So Nice – Cara A 3. Julia Dream – Cara B de It Would Be So Nice 4. Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Single version) – Cara B de Point Me At The Sky 5. Song 1 (Sesión de estudio Inédita hasta este Box Set) 6. Roger’s Boogie (Sesión de estudio Inédita hasta este Box Set)2. BBC Radio Session del 25 de junio de 1968 7. Murderotic Woman (Careful With That Axe, Eugene) (Inédita hasta este Box Set) 8. The Massed Gadgets of Hercules (A Saucerful of Secrets) (Inédita hasta este Box Set) 9. Let There Be More Light (Inédita hasta este Box Set) 10. Julia Dream (Inédita hasta este Box Set)3. BBC Radio Session del 2 de diciembre de 1968 11. Point Me At The Sky (Inédita hasta este Box Set) 12. Embryo (Inédita hasta este Box Set) 13. Interestellar Overdrive (Inédita hasta este Box Set)DVD / BLU-RAY (Mismo material en ambos con sonido PCM Stereo 48Khz/21-Bit y subtítulos en Castellano (Entre otros))1. Grabaciones realizadas en un parque de Bruselas situado junto al Atomium, para el programa de TV Belga, “Tienerklanken”. Son todo playbacks, y se hace raro ver a Gilmour tocando y cantando los temas de Barret. El tema Bike, es un montaje de imágenes con la música de fondo. 1. Astronomy Domine 2. The Scarecrow 3. Corporal Clegg 4. Paint Box 5. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun 6. See Emily Play 7. Bike2. Playback en el programa de TV Belga “Vibrato” grabado en una frutería. 8. Apples and Oranges3. Grabaciones en directo desde el programa de TV Francés “Bouton Rouge” Donde el presentador se situaba junto a ellos en el escenario todo el rato. Muy buena calidad de audio y de video (Entendiendo que son grabaciones de 1968) 9. Astronomy Domine 10. Flaming 11. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun 12. Let There Be More Light4. Playback en el programa de TV Francés “Discorama” 13. Paint Box5. Improvisación instrumental junto a imágenes de chavalería hippiesca y de las protestas de mayo del 68 14. Instrumental Improvisation6. Versión cortita y en directo desde la estación de bombeo de Abbey Mills para el programa de TV Inglés “All My Loving” 15. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun7. Un trocito de tema en playback grabado en el Piper Club de Roma para el programa de TV Italiano “Rome Goes Pop” 16. It Would Be So Nice8. En directo desde el programa de TV Italiano “Pop 68” 17. Interstellar Overdrive9. En directo en el “Tienerklanken – Kastival” Bégica 18. Astronomy Domine 19. Entrevista a Roger Waters10. Playback en el programa de TV Francés “Samedi et Compagnie” 20. Let There Be More Light 21. Remember a Day11. Un trocito de una especie de video promocional donde vemos a los cuatro chavales correteando por el metro de Londres. Programa de TV Inglés “A L'Affiche du Monde” 22. Let There Be More Light12. En directo desde “Tous En Scene” París. 23. Let There Be More Light 24. Flaming13. En directo desde el “Surprise Partie” París. 25. Let There Be More Light14. Vídeo promocional restaurado, con los chavales vestidos de aviadores similando que están volando en biplanos. 26. Point Me at the Sky¿Merece la pena? Indudablemente sí. Sobre todo si lo puedes adquirir en torno a los 30€. Indispensable para Floydianos.

This collection is a must for fans of early Floyd.