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Rating: I had told myself I would never again read books or writings about him. Then I saw, in the music corner of a bookstore, this cover, approached, read the title and... boom, purchased! Damn it, I had to get upset again reading all those well-known nonsense (true or false as they may be). Because it's like this: about a musician/artist I like, I always want to hear good things; or rather, with absolute respect. Like talking about a friend, parents, and children. I read the preface, acknowledgments (fortunately at the beginning because they comfort me quite a bit!), and introduction; they convince me to continue.
This guy, named Rob Chapman, also a musician in punk bands in the late '70s and early '80s, has adored Barrett since he was twelve. "I have never met a punk who didn't like Syd Barrett," one of his evocative phrases. Many contribute to this book: numerous schoolmates with relevant archival documentation (never heard until now), just as many friends and colleagues from Cambridge and London from the then-artistic and musical scene, and many individuals who gave insights with their testimonies on specific moments, about Syd's living in all the hidden and intimate aspects of his daily life.
Also of great help is Libby Gausden, the historical teenage girlfriend (the package of letters she kept between 1961 and 1965 represents the first collection of writings by the boy living on Hills Road a few dozen meters from her). But mostly the members of the Barrett family, primarily his sister Rosemary, previously staying on the sidelines, with that unique perspective of his private life, before and after success.
The reasons for such openness by everyone towards the work Chapman was writing were (he doesn't say it, so I will) the passion, love, and respect he demonstrated towards Syd as a man and musician. Personally, I couldn't take any more of the usual rumors passed down verbally over the decades, some really ridiculous and grotesque.
Chapman manages to shed the fan's clothes and offer a detailed account from the happy childhood to total isolation. A meticulous, precise reconstruction of the places and events; also an analytical description of his individual works. Above all, the narrative of Syd as a crazy and delirious person due to too many drugs is dismantled. The truth is Barrett abused drugs like so many others during the period. The truth is that, unlike almost all the others, Syd couldn't bear the commercial success from which contractual obligations for albums, tours, and television appearances arose.
Very simple in my opinion, but of course, I understand it has more appeal to talk about a totally messed up, lunatic Barrett, overdone with reckless behavior and circus-like scenarios. Of course, he was "crazy," or better, completely different from the rockstar standard; but not because of LSD or at least not only. The drugs probably only exacerbated and accelerated his anarchic thinking, his being innovative and experimental. Roger was an artist, primarily a painter, who found the most fertile ground in music during that period. A bit like Morrison with music and poetry.
This tome returns to us a Barrett who is a fragile and talented man. Is it the truth?! I don't know, we will never know; certainly here there are many testimonies and a meticulous historical labor that would confirm it.
And anyway, to return to the first lines, it is what I want to think of my adored, shining, noble diamond.
"One summer day in 2006 I learned that Syd had died. I called the "Mojo" editorial office to ask if I could handle the obituary. "Yes, of course," said the editor-in-chief, "but we're going to press in 5 days. Can you write 5,000 lines by Friday?" ... If it had been someone else, it would have been a disagreeable task, but I had lived with Syd's music, inhaled and dreamed about it ever since at the age of twelve I first heard "Arnold Layne". And so, in the hottest week of a long, hot summer, I wrote those 5,000 words on Syd. Here you will find the other 140,000 that have been added in the meantime" Rob Chapman.
The only flaw; Waters, Gilmour, and Mason declined the invitation to be interviewed for the book.
Bravo Rob, great professionalism, love, and respect. Many others and I enjoyed it immensely. I am sure it will be the same for the many of you at DeBaser who love Roger Keith Barrett and who, better than me, will also appreciate the analytical comment on his music.
Happy reading.
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