Pink Floyd – Offenbach 1971 (Siréne-023)

Offenbach 1971 (Siréne-023)

Stadthalle, Offenbach, Germany – February 26th, 1971

Disc 1:  Astronomy Domine, Green Is The Colour/Careful With That Axe Eugene, Embryo, Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun.

Disc 2:  Cymbaline, A Saucerful Of Secrets, Atom Heart Mother, Blues.

Disc 3:  Bonus, Taken from ultra-rare analog bootleg Pictures Of Pink Floyd Vol. 1:  The Libest Spacement Monitor/Embryo, Fat Old Sun, Blues, Atom Heart Mother

There are two tape sources in circulation for Pink Floyd’s Offenbach performance from early 1971.  On this release Sirene chose to release them both.  The first tape documented on discs one and two is the complete mono first generation audience source that is a good to very good sounding.  The lower frequencies are emphasized and the label worked to reduce the hiss which also reduced the upper end somewhat. 

The mastering job improves the overall enjoyment of the tape since the hiss is quite loud on the original.  The set list naturally emphasizes the latest LP Atom Heart Mother.  “Green Is The Colour” is segued directly into “Careful With That Axe Eugene” as was their custom at this time and would be dropped by the time they played in Rotterdam two months after this.   

The tape brightens up more for “Embryo”.  “Atom Heart Mother” is played with orchestra conducted by Jeffrey Mitchell and is another great version.  The second tape source contains only two songs, “Atom Heart Mother” and “Blues” and are contained on the bonus disc copies straight from vinyl.  This is a very good, clear and bright audience source and it’s a pity the master didn’t survive as it is easily one of the best sounding tapes from this period.

The bonus disc is a straight digital copy of the old and rare Pictures Of Pink Floyd vinyl boot.  The first three tracks are from a mysterious tape source.  The liner notes claim they’re from the November 11th, 1970 gig in Essen, Germany.  The only problem is they didn’t play in Germany that night, but in Konserthuset, Gothenburg, Sweden.  Some claim the tape is from a show at The Roundhouse in Chalk Farm in London from December 12th, 1970.  Roger Waters introduces “The Libest Spacement (Monitor)” to “My majesty the Queen, my Lords…Nick Mason.”  Whatever the venue, it definitely sounds like a 1970 show.