Crazy Diamond is a 1993 triple-CD boxed set of Syd Barrett's two 1970 albums The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, and Opel, an out-takes compilation from 1988. All discs are further augmented by various alternate takes. "Our main plan was to find Syd's acoustic takes, before the other musicians were drafted in to overdub them. But we stumbled across some fascinating material that sheds new light on Syd's working methods." — Phil Smee

Design and release

The box set is packaged in a 6 x 12-inch longbox, and also contains a 24-page booklet. Simultaneously with this release, EMI reissued The Madcap Laughs, Barrett and Opel separately as well, along with the new bonus tracks of alternate takes. Two unreleased Syd Barrett songs with Pink Floyd, "Scream Thy Last Scream" and "Vegetable Man" were remixed by Malcolm Jones, and were planned to be released on Opel, but they were pulled, apparently by Pink Floyd.

Title

The album is named after "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", a composition by Pink Floyd about and dedicated to Barrett, who led the band during its earlier years.

Track listing

All songs written by Syd Barrett, except where noted.

Disc 1 – The Madcap Laughs

Disc 2 – Barrett

Disc 3 – Opel

Tracks not included in this collection that were later officially released

Personnel