Unplugged Fest: 'Arnold Layne' by Syd Barrett/Pink Floyd

cuthbert · March 03, 2010, 03:59:57 PM

Thanks hooper, Flash Harry, and Tommy - this song was a blast to do!

Harmonium is an unusual keyboard instrument in that you need to be mindful to keep the bellows inflated while you're playing - so you sit with the harmonium on your lap or in front of you while one hand pumps the bellows, and the other plays the keyboard. Pumping technique is nearly as important as the notes you play, as you can also alter the volume and even vibrato of the note passing through the reeds depending on the air pressure - I'm still new at it and learning my way around. But it's fun!

And a special note of thanks Nigel for your very kind feedback - as you can probably tell, Syd has been one of my musical heroes as well, so any comparison of what I've done to him I take as the highest compliment.

A funny thing about that door slam and chain rattle addition was it was originally unplanned. During lead vocal recording, the steam radiator in my room knocked right near that point in the song (during a vocal section), and I liked the rest of the take enough to try to find something to distract from that radiator clang - hence adding a door slam, and then adding a chain rattle...

Ferryman_1957 · March 03, 2010, 04:17:00 PM

Quote from: cuthbert on March 03, 2010, 03:59:57 PMAnd a special note of thanks Nigel for your very kind feedback - as you can probably tell, Syd has been one of my musical heroes as well, so any comparison of what I've done to him I take as the highest compliment.

You are welcome sir! I just listened to this again on headphones and I thought I was having an acid trip! Your vox sound uncannily like Syd - the low harmonies sound just like the "tell me more" part on Matilda Mother to these ears. I've always been a big fan of early Floyd, "See Emily Play" was the first single I ever bought with my own money (aged about 10 or 11 IIRC) and I loved all their early stuff.

This is really, really good. It borrows from the original but has so many new ideas in it it gives it a real "twist". Love it.

Cheers,

Nigel

upsetminded · March 12, 2010, 06:35:38 AM

Been away for a while and just found this. So nice to get a Syd Pink Floyd era tune. You really captured it well. Loved it.

cuthbert · March 12, 2010, 04:28:19 PM

Hey thanks, upsetminded! Much appreciated.

MeanGreenLizard · March 13, 2010, 08:32:23 AM

Impressive!

Really captures the spirit of Syd Barrett

j.g. · March 13, 2010, 10:27:48 AM

Great job done on this. Captured the feel as well. Now try the flip side of the single which was "The Scarecrow" another great Floyd track.

T.C. Elliott · March 23, 2010, 06:59:30 AM

Glad I found this one. I was never a huge Syd Barrett fan, but the more I go back the more I'm impressed. A unique genius to be sure. It's cool that you covered this one and did such a grand job with it. Now I'm impressed with your abilities as well.