BD reader Greg Taylor, long-time fan of the band and lucky enough to have witnessed several early concerts including shows with Syd Barrett, is seeking any recollections, however small, from any of the early Hyde Park Free Concerts.

Greg wants to start with the first show in 1968 with anyone connected with the event as a fan of Pink Floyd or any other artists who performed. The early creative involvement of Blackhill Enterprises was key to the early shows so if you have any scraps of information on any of the people involved in hosting the event it would be most welcome.

Greg is interested in doing a feature on Hyde Park ’68 – the whole concert and memories of subsequent ones too with peoples individual experiences, what they did there and who they met. Vivid details, however trivial will help create a sense of place and time for those pivotal events in rock history.

Please get in touch with Greg on his UK phone number of 07751 790646 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Now confirmed as arrived is the reissue of the highly sought after hybrid multichannel SACD of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. The release, playable in stereo on any CD player, but in glorious 5.1 surround sound on compatible SACD players, was originally made available in November 2011, but has since gone out of print. This reissue will therefore be great news for many, and a perfect opportunity to add this gem to your collection.

The SACD was released by Acoustic Sounds, on the Analogue Productions label. As you'll note from the pack shot to the left (click the thumbnail to see in more detail), the packaging is in hardback book format, with some art cards included within. If you've yet to look at our review of it, or need reminding, read our indepth analysis of this release, which includes an exclusive interview with James Guthrie, here.

The SACD can now be ordered from Amazon.com, Amazon Canada or direct from Acoustic Sounds. However, due to the Acoustic Sounds shipping policy, and the possibility of customs duty and suchlike being added on, international orders are better placed with Amazon UK, , Amazon France, Amazon Germany, Amazon Spain and Amazon Italy, or with JPC.de. With the fluidity of pricing, it is worth checking around for the best deal.

To get you in the mood, here's an absorbing ten minute documentary, which includes James Guthrie talking about the new version, and in particular a piano part played by Richard Wright. It also has comments from Storm Thorgerson, who reveals the dilemma over how to do a "new but old" version of the cover artwork, and explains how they came up with the idea to return the original pictures to the elements represented. So, the picture of the burning man gets burnt itself, the splashless diver picture is itself under water, and so on.

Our very best wishes go to Guy Pratt today (January 3rd), who is celebrating his birthday. Born in London in 1962, son of the actor Mike Pratt from Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), Guy took to a career in music, which lead to his first world tour whilst still a teenager!

Working with the likes of Bryan Ferry and Robert Palmer lead to him being noticed by David Gilmour, who invited Guy to play for Pink Floyd in 1987. This lead to work with other major artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson, but Guy stayed loyal to David, performing alongside him up to the most recent tours, including David's 2015-2016 Rattle That Lock tour that concluded in London's Royal Albert Hall. Of course, last year Guy was revealed as part of Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets, a band who have thrilled fans in the UK and Europe with their highly acclaimed shows playing early Floyd songs.

The Saucers have announced a number of shows that will be taking place this year - starting with US and Canada in March/April, then some UK dates in May, before heading back into Europe in July for some shows in different locations than back in September last year. Tickets for all these shows are now on sale, so don't miss out!

Life as a musician on the road, and in the studio, inspired Guy to write his hilarious "My Bass And Other Animals" book, an essential read for any Floyd fan. He has toured his memories in a tour of the same name, and has also developed adaptations of the show. Whatever your interests in music are, the book (as with his solo, stand-up shows) give a mind-boggling and hilarious look at life with various musicians. There's plenty of detail within the pages of his Floyd life, so well worth taking a look.

Many happy returns, Guy, from all of us at Brain Damage!

Our hearty congratulations to Nick Mason, who has just been awarded the honour of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the British New Year's Honours list, which has now been announced.

Nick is receiving the award for services to music.

The awards are to recognise the achievements and service of people across the United Kingdom, and whilst New Year's Day being the official day of announcement, the recipients are normally revealed a few days earlier. The awards are presented by the Queen, or one of her family representing her, in a formal ceremony normally held at Buckingham Palace.

Again, our congratulations to Nick for this deserved recognition!