General Article name: Opel
Genre: Rock englischsprachig Product type: LP (Vinyl) Label: Parlophone Label Group (PLG) Number of tracks: 14 Tracklist LP - 1 1. Syd Barrett - Opel 2. Syd Barrett - Clowns & Jugglers 3. Syd Barrett - Rats 4. Syd Barrett - Golden Hair [Vocal Version] 5. Syd Barrett - Dolly Rocker 6. Syd Barrett - Word Song 7. Syd Barrett - Wined and Dined 8. Syd Barrett - Swan Lee (Silas Lang) 9. Syd Barrett - Birdie Hop 10. Syd Barrett - Let's Split 11. Syd Barrett - Lanky, Pt. 1 12. Syd Barrett - Wouldn't You Miss Me (Dark Globe) 13. Syd Barrett - Milky Way 14. Syd Barrett - Golden Hair   Description Description

For several years, the existence of "lost" material by Syd Barrett had been speculated about by the singer's vociferous cult, fueled by numerous patchy bootlegs of intriguing outtakes. The release of Opel lived up to, and perhaps exceeded, fans' expectations. With 14 tracks spanning 1968 to 1970, including six alternate takes and eight songs that had never been officially released in any form, it is equally as essential as his two 1970 LPs. The tone is very much in keeping with his pair of solo albums; ragged, predominantly acoustic, melodic, and teetering on the edge of dementia. At the same time, it's charming and lyrically pungent, with Barrett's inimitable sense of childlike whimsy. The production is generally more minimal than on his other albums, even bare-bones at times, but if anything, this adds to the music's stark power. Highlights are the lengthy brooding title track, the multi-layered swirl of "Swan Lee," the alternate take of "Dark Globe" (with much better, more restrained vocals than the previous version), and the exuberant, infectious "Milky Way." Meticulous liner notes and excellent sound complete this lovingly archival package. [Opel was re-released on 180-gram vinyl in 2014.] ~ Richie Unterberger

Richie Unterberger

Contributors Artist: Syd Barrett Record Label: Rhino Record Label: Harvest Guest Artist: Mike Ratledge Guest Artist: Hugh Hopper Guest Artist: Robert Wyatt