This CD is a great deal for Pink Floyd lovers-- the original version of Interstellar Overdrive (about 20 minutes long) and Nick's Boogie (about 10). It is wonderful to hear the genius of the madcap Syd Barrett, plus on the second disk is video of the song! However, the only drawback is that I am a Mac user and the program will open but the video won't play on my computer. If there are any Mac users out there whose video on this cd works, drop me an email (ereiamjh@thevortex.com)--I'd like to see if it is compatible with Mac. Buy it!

Although released as an archive curiosity over twenty years after they were originally recorded, these January 1967 items represent the group's very first work in the studio and are surprisingly stunning. They consist of only two cuts--extremely lengthy versions of both "Interstellar Overdrive" and the unreleased "Nick's Boogie", played live by the group using only their four instruments and NO overdubs. This makes both the style and sound markedly different from the first few singles and debut album, but represents the other side of the group's early period just as well. For a taste of what the group sounded like live in their earliest days--and a sampling of some of their best music *ever*, in any of their various eras including "Dark Side", "The Wall" etc.--"In London" is perfect. Both tracks represent extremely spacey experiments in electronic music which depend upon the psychic reaction of the players to each other. Syd Barrett is on fire, getting great effects out of his guitar with a cigarrette lighter and concentrating on heavily reverbed soundscapes rather than solos; at the end of "Nick's Boogie" he sounds like a UFO landing. Rick Wright's electric organ work has never sounded better, Waters' bass is typically aggressive, and Mason (esp on "Nick's Boogie") lays out the kind of tribal beat he became famous for on things like the live "Set The Controls". In January 1967 no one else in the rock world--in London, LA, San Francisco, or elsewhere--was laying down music *this* far-out and wildly experimental. It defies all commercial expectation but if you give it a chance, you'll wish that the group had recorded more stuff like this. Absolutely essential; also essential is the video "London 66-67" which goes with it and features mesmerizing documentary footage of Swinging London at its zenith (UFO Club, 24-hour Technicolor Dream, etc), with Floyd in the center of it all. I cannot praise this disc enough!

I imported this album a while ago and upon first listen I had high expectations for it, considering it was from the glory days of Syd and the Floyd.

Interstellar Overdrive- Best described in one word- wow. This cut is much better than the Piper cut and longer as well. Great listening.

Nick's Boogie- Don't let the title fool you- this is a dark improvisation by the Floyd. Syd is at best with the guitar and Mason shows a technical side to the drumming.

Now if you like Piper at the Gates of Dawn and Syd's solo work, grab 25 dollars and buy this now.