As we told you back in August, 'An Introduction to Syd Barrett' is released by EMI/Harvest Records, next week. It is a brand new collection that will bring together for the first time the tracks of Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett on one compilation.

This release (full details below) will include the previously-unreleased 20-minute instrumental 'Rhamadan'. Produced by former Pink Floyd and Syd co-manager Peter Jenner, the list of musicians is lost in the mists of time, though it's rumoured to include congas by Steve Peregrine Took of Tyrannosaurus Rex. It is to be offered as an extra downloadable track with the CD (via an auxiliary website), and also the iTunes version of the album.

Preorders for the album have been ongoing since it was announced, with some retailers offering it at a very reasonable 44% off the recommended retail price, at Play.com through this direct link. You can also order it from HMV.com, Amazon UK, Amazon France, and Amazon Germany. Amazon.com and Amazon.ca were previously just offering it as an expensive import, but have now just started offering it as a North American edition at a good price (albeit with a slightly later release date). We thought we'd best let you know in case you'd already ordered the import edition!

When we think of album covers from rock’s golden age we automatically think of two names: Storm Thorgerson and Roger Dean. For one night only - October 28th - these two giants of the art of album cover design are coming together in London to talk about their lives and show their work.

Storm Thorgerson is of course best known for his seminal cover art for Pink Floyd and many others. Roger Dean’s name is synonymous with 70s prog rock band Yes. But he is also a visionary designer working in architecture, furniture design, and original works of art. As with Thorgerson, he tells a good tale.

Both men will be on stage talking about their work, describing life with rock’s aristos, and recounting the stories behind the album covers that enthralled a generation.

Tickets for the event, being held at Logan Hall, Bedford Way, London, are £12.50 and can be ordered now through UnitEditions.com. The event runs from 7:30pm - 9pm, and promises to be quite an evening...

UPDATE, October 11th: Regrettably, this event has been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances. Refunds will be available for those who have already bought tickets.

Guy Pratt, bassist for David Gilmour, and for the post-1987 Pink Floyd (amongst many others), made his much anticipated return to the stage for a run at the legendary Edinburgh Festival this year. Due to the success of those shows (see description below), he has three further shows coming up this month: London's 20th Century Theatre on October 22nd, Manchester's Engine House (as part of the Manchester Comedy Festival) on October 23rd, and both of these are preceeded by a show at La Java in Paris, France, on October 13th. Tickets for all three are now available from normal agents.

It's 4am. The alarm is set for 5. You're in Belgrade... or possibly Buenos Aires. All these hotel rooms look the same... There's a noise coming from the bathroom and only a miniature of Baileys left in the mini bar. No worries you'll sleep on the plane. You hope to hell it's a travel day and that pile of ashes in the corner isn't your passport. Welcome to an average Wednesday in the life of a touring musician. 'Guy Pratt's Wake-up Call' is the next instalment of the bizarre, poignant and often hilarious life of a professional bassist told by a natural raconteur. You'll laugh. You'll cry, you'll probably sue.

Roger Waters' airing of The Wall Live at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA, on December 6th has been moved to December 7th. This is for logistical reasons, to accommodate the transfer and setup of the massive show production.

If you have tickets for December 6th, these will be valid for the 7th, but if you cannot make this revised date, refunds are available at point of purchase - please note that there is a deadline to get your refund, of November 5th. The promoters, Live Nation, have apologised for any inconvenience.