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Pink Floyd Ummagumma

Pink Floyd Ummagumma is the title of a double album released by the group in 1969.

Ummagumma is of all Pink Floyd Albums the first live album, well half of it is live the other half is the individual members of the group doing their own experiments in music.

The name Ummagumma came from one of Pink Floyd's roadies who used the word to represent sex. But in actual fact the word Ummagumma is used for anything that one doesn’t want to use the original word.

The concept of Ummagumma album is credited to Rick or Richard Wright the groups keyboard player. He thought the group were becoming like any other group and want to experiment more.
The album Ummagumma was also a symbol of out with the old ie Syd Barrett and in with the new.

Ummagumma became the first release on Harvest a label that EMI had set up for “Progressive Groups”. The lable boss at the time came up with the idea of the album being half live and half individual projects.

The sleeve is a clever mirror sleeve from Hypnosis where in each picture the members of the group move round one position. In the US version of Ummagumma on vinyl the GiGi picture is airbrushed out due to copyright reasons. In Australia it is completely vanished. However the picture was restored for the CD release and in later versions of the vinyl release.

TRACK LISTING for Ummagumma

 1 Astronomy Domine

This track comes from Saucerful of Secretes album, but this version was recorded live at Birmingham UK in 1969 even though the sleeve says it was recorded somewhere different.

2 Careful with that axe Eugene.

 Again the original track is on Saucerful of Secrets but I can t help thinking this is a better version. Roger Waters scream is terrifying enough to conjuror what Eugene is doing with that ace. Yuk!

3 Set the controls for the heart of the Sun

is Pink Floyd dipping into science fiction? A great mood start of finishing in an exciting climax.

 4 Saucerful of Secrets.

Taken from the same name album. I personally prefer this version then the original on Saucerful of Secrets. Its seems more meaningful and doesn't get as boring as the original does a bit.

5 Sysyphus

This is the Rick, as he was known as at the time, but changed his name to Richard Wright, solo piece of music. Its in 4 parts.

 6 Granchester Meadows.

Lovely song and acutely brings up images of a beautiful English summer. Roger Waters wrote it as a reflection on the river bank at Cambridge where he grew up.

7 Several Species of Small furry animals gathered together and groving with a Pict.

A mad bizarre piece written by Roger Waters. Love the last bit.

8 Narrow Way

David Gilmours solo effort.

 9 Grand Vizier's Garden Party

 Nick Mason's solo part. Uncredited is Nick's wife Lindy at the time, who is playing flutes.

To be honest the solo parts are the individual members experimenting in music. Of all 4 members Roger Waters Granchester Meadows stands out as the most interesting piece. Is atmospheric and captures exactly what he is trying to write about.

                    Back of Ummaguma sleeve

Download Pink Floyd Ummagumma

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