Pink Floyd: London 1966/1967

Video footage and musical tracks of Pink Floyd in their early days are rare and highly valued among fans. In fact, "London 1966/1967" is the only officially released footage of Pink Floyd in their original lineup, featuring Syd Barrett on guitar instead of David Gilmour.

"66/67" is taken from a DVD about late '60s London, and is essentially a 30 minute performance set to footage of the underground psychedelic music scene. The band performs two pieces, both of which are long, improvised rock odysseys. It offers rare visual insight into what the now notorious "Swinging London" was like. The performance itself features Pink Floyd at its most improvisational and wild. Syd Barrett's guitar work on "Interstellar Overdrive" is simultaneously terrifying and moving. The rest of the band provides a driving pulse and otherworldly sounds indicative of their early sound.

The visual component of the song shows the infamous U.F.O. club interspersed with shots of the band performing the two pieces in the studio. Footage of a now legendary event called the "14 Hour Techincolor Dream" underlines the much wilder second piece, "Nick's Boogie." This part of the film is particularly interesting because a number of the attendees are quite recognizable, and even include both John Lennon and Yoko Ono right before they began their relationship. The footage of "Swinging London" is invaluable to all those curious about a turbulent and truly bizarre period in western pop culture.

Also included are interviews with a young Michael Caine, Julie Christie, artist David Hockney, and Mick Jagger. All discuss various issues of the day, such as the emerging openness about sex, drug usage, and an overall changing attitude towards existence in society. While none of the interviews are particularly fascinating, they are often humorous and offer glimpses of insight into a revolutionary period.

This film is not for everyone, especially the casual fan of Pink Floyd. It features the band at their most avant-garde period, and can be tough on unwilling ears. However, for fans of the band's early work, especially the Syd Barrett era, the material on this DVD must not be missed.