The Unknown Pink Floyd

Who isn't familiar with "Dark Side" or "The Wall"?
I'm sure everyone has but many haven't heard of my favorite Pink Floyd Era which took place from 1967-1972.
During this period they released some of their best work and much of it has never been heard by you average person.
As far as full realizes the started with "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn", this album was very different than anything else they ever did. It was fronted by their original lead singer and songwriter Syd (Roger) Barrett. It was a pschedelic space rock sound with imaginative and creative lyrics. After the release of this album Barrett was kicked out of the band (will go over in separate post) shortly after David Gilmore was asked to join.
The bands next album was "A Saucer Full of Secrets" which like Piper was a psychedelic album but this time more progressive and a bit more rock was incorporated. This album had such memerable songs as the rhythmical written "Set the controls for the heart of the sun" and the always enjoyable "Corp. Clegg".
Their next album "Ummagumma" was much mre of an experimental or avant-grade sound. The album also included a separate record of some live performances from the band.
The next album and my favorite was "Atom Heart Mother". This Album was a very relaxed sounding and their first that included instumentation outside the band members. The album included the epic "Atom Heart Mother suite" and the smoothly melodic "Summer 68" as well as the simple yet perfect "If".
"Meddle" was the bands next release and it followed the tradition of its predecessor and would make way for their next album. this album also included a slight country-ish twinge on certain tracks. this album contained the amazing track "Echoes".
"Obscured by Clouds" was the last album before "Dark Side of the Moon" and it was their first album to contain a song that made the charts in the U.S. That track was "Free Four" which contained genius lyrics with a enjoyable almost fon rhythm. It also contained the last track in which Gilmore contributed lyrics until they weren't (or at least shouldn't have been) "Pink Floyd" anymore and that song was "Childhoods End". The album album also contained such great tracks as "Mudmen" and "Wots uhh... The Deal".



If you are wondering why I didn't include "More" or "Relics" on this its because they weren't original studio albums.

Fleetwood Mac Better Days......

Who has heard good old Fleetwood Mac?
I'm not referring to the soap opera garbage of the Stevie Nicks or the all in all lame Bob Welsh formation (with a few good tracks).
I'm referring to the original fleetwood mac, the group led by singer/songwriter/guitar player, Peter Green.
Fleetwood Mac formed in 1967 and quickly gained popularity amongst British blues fans. They formed out of the previous group John Mayall and the bluesbreakers in which Green had already recorded an album with. Their first album Fleetwood Mac was a large success in England. They followed this up with a single that later became a hit for santana (although green wrote it) black magic woman.
The bands next album Mr. Wonderfull was made to be a bit different. they produced it to make it sound about 20 years older and there was even some horns work as opposed to just straight forward blues.
Around this time the Beatles were trying to get Mac added to apple records but withought success (dodged the bullet).
The third and final album that Green did with Fleetwood Mac was Then Play On. This album breached more into progressive blues and rock and roll.
Shorlty after the release of Then Play On the band was in Munich where someone had slipped acid into Green's drink and it caused him to shut himself away for a time and when he returned he discussed his want to gave the bands money to charity. At that point he "mutually" left the band.
Green decided to leave the band.
"His last show with Fleetwood Mac was May 20, 1970. During that show, the band went past their allotted time, and the power was shut off. Mick Fleetwood kept drumming, which for many symbolized either a salute to Green or Fleetwood taking the "reins" of Fleetwood Mac. The band, somewhat reluctantly, kept on without Peter Green and despite press reports suggesting Danny Kirwan would assume leadership, the media-savvy Fleetwood took over as leader of the band." (wikipedia)
After greens departure the band hired American Bob Welsh then later the band changed again but they would never be able to recapture the quality of music they had before nor their DEVOUT fan base that they once had.