# Ummagumma

> 1969 double album by Pink Floyd; live and studio album

**Wikidata**: [Q206271](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206271)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ummagumma)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ummagumma

## Summary
Ummagumma is a 1969 double album by the British rock band Pink Floyd, uniquely structured as a combination of live recordings and studio compositions. Released on October 25, 1969, the album serves as a significant artifact in the band's discography, bridging their psychedelic roots with experimental and progressive rock explorations. It was issued under the Harvest label, a subsidiary of EMI Records, Ltd., which was founded in the same year to support such innovative musical projects.

## Key Facts
- **Publication Date:** October 25, 1969.
- **Format:** Double album containing both live and studio recordings.
- **Artist:** Pink Floyd.
- **Record Label:** Harvest (a UK label owned by EMI Records, Ltd.).
- **Label Inception:** 1969.
- **Label Headquarters:** United Kingdom.
- **Label Country:** United Kingdom.
- **Sitelink Count (Ummagumma):** 41.
- **Sitelink Count (Harvest Label):** 25.
- **Wikipedia Title:** Ummagumma.
- **Genre Associations:** Progressive rock, experimental rock, psychedelic rock, space rock, avant-garde music, and experimental music.
- **Included Tracks:** "Grantchester Meadows," "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict," "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party," "Careful with That Axe, Eugene," "Sysyphus," "The Narrow Way," "A Saucerful of Secrets," "Astronomy Domine," and "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun."
- **Composers:** David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and Syd Barrett.
- **Related Entity:** Umma gumma (a species of damselfly, distinct from the album).

## FAQs
**What is the structural composition of the Ummagumma album?**
The album is a double release divided into two distinct halves: the first disc features live recordings of the band performing, while the second disc consists entirely of solo studio compositions by individual band members. This format allowed Pink Floyd to showcase both their collective live energy and their individual experimental songwriting capabilities.

**Which record label released Ummagumma and who owns it?**
Ummagumma was released by Harvest, a UK-based record label that was founded in 1969. Harvest is owned by EMI Records, Ltd. and operates within the phonographic industry to market music recordings and videos.

**What musical genres does Ummagumma represent?**
The album is strongly associated with progressive rock, experimental rock, and psychedelic rock, reflecting the band's evolution during the late 1960s. It also incorporates elements of space rock, avant-garde music, and experimental music, pushing the boundaries of traditional rock structures.

**Who are the primary songwriters credited on the album?**
The studio tracks feature compositions by all four band members: David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. Additionally, the album includes works originally written by Syd Barrett, such as "Astronomy Domine," and tracks written by Roger Waters like "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun."

**How does the album title relate to the damselfly species?**
The title "Ummagumma" shares its name with a species of damselfly known as *Umma gumma*, though the album and the insect are unrelated entities. The album title is a play on words, while the insect is a biological classification with its own distinct sitelink count of 10.

## Why It Matters
Ummagumma represents a pivotal moment in the history of progressive and experimental rock, demonstrating Pink Floyd's willingness to deconstruct the traditional album format. By splitting the release between a live document and a collection of solo studio experiments, the band provided a comprehensive snapshot of their artistic identity at a time of significant transition. The album's release on the newly formed Harvest label highlights the symbiotic relationship between innovative artists and forward-thinking record companies in the late 1960s. Its inclusion of diverse genres, from the acoustic folk of "Grantchester Meadows" to the avant-garde soundscapes of "Several Species," influenced the development of experimental music and cemented Pink Floyd's reputation as pioneers. The album's enduring online presence, evidenced by 41 sitelinks, underscores its lasting impact on music history and its continued relevance to listeners and scholars alike.

## Notable For
- Being a 1969 double album that uniquely combines live performance with studio experimentation.
- Serving as one of the inaugural releases for the Harvest record label, founded in the same year.
- Featuring a diverse array of genres including progressive rock, space rock, and avant-garde music.
- Showcasing individual creative contributions from all four band members in the studio section.
- Including re-recorded versions of earlier songs like "Astronomy Domine" and "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun."
- Possessing a significant digital footprint with 41 sitelinks, indicating high recognition.
- Sharing its name with a species of damselfly, creating a unique linguistic coincidence in music and biology.
- Containing the instrumental track "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party," which is noted for its distinct composition.
- Featuring the experimental track "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict," known for its unique vocal manipulation.

## Body

### Overview and Publication Details
Ummagumma is a double album by Pink Floyd, released on October 25, 1969. It is categorized as a grouping of album releases by an artist, typically released at the same time with the same title and tracks but in different formats for consumption, such as digital, CD, or LP. The album is distinguished by its dual nature: one half captures the band's live performance, while the other half presents studio recordings. This structure was a deliberate artistic choice to present a multifaceted view of the band's capabilities. The entity has a Wikipedia title of "Ummagumma" and a sitelink count of 41, reflecting its substantial documentation across the web.

### Label and Industry Context
The album was released under the Harvest label, a UK record label owned by EMI Records, Ltd. Harvest was founded in 1969, the same year as the album's release, and is headquartered in the United Kingdom. The label's primary function involves the marketing of music recordings and music videos, with a specific focus on progressive rock and experimental hip-hop genres. Harvest's association with Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, and Kevin Ayers contributed significantly to the phonographic industry. The label itself has 25 sitelinks, indicating a strong online presence and recognition. Harvest's operations are based in the UK, and it serves as a platform for distributing music recordings and videos, playing a crucial role in the evolution of the genres it supports.

### Musical Genres and Artistic Scope
Ummagumma is deeply rooted in several rock subgenres. It is linked to progressive rock, which emerged around 1967, and experimental rock, which began in 1966. The album also draws from psychedelic rock (inception 1965), space rock (inception 1968), and avant-garde music (inception 1945). Furthermore, it aligns with the broader category of experimental music, which dates back to 1960. These genre associations highlight the album's role in pushing the boundaries of conventional rock music. The inclusion of these diverse styles allowed Pink Floyd to explore new sonic territories, influencing the development of these genres and leaving a lasting impact on the music landscape.

### Track Listing and Compositions
The album features a specific set of tracks that showcase the band's versatility. "Grantchester Meadows" is a song by Pink Floyd included in the collection. "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict" is another track by the band, known for its experimental nature. "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" is an instrumental track by Pink Floyd. "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" is a 1968 instrumental song composed by David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright, performed and recorded by Pink Floyd. "Sysyphus" is a song included in the album. "The Narrow Way" is a 1969 song by Pink Floyd. The album also features "A Saucerful of Secrets," a 1968 song written by Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason, and David Gilmour. "Astronomy Domine" is an original song written and composed by Syd Barrett. "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" is a 1967 song written by Roger Waters and performed by Pink Floyd. Each of these tracks contributes to the album's reputation as a comprehensive artistic statement.

### Distinct Entities and Relationships
While the album shares its name with *Umma gumma*, a species of damselfly, the two are distinct entities. The damselfly species has a sitelink count of 10, separate from the album's 41. The album's relationship with the Harvest label is significant, as the label was instrumental in facilitating the release and promotion of the recording. The connection between Pink Floyd and Harvest helped establish the label's reputation for supporting innovative artists. The album's impact extends beyond its immediate release, influencing the phonographic industry and shaping the direction of progressive and experimental music. Its presence in the digital landscape, with numerous sitelinks, ensures that its legacy continues to be recognized and studied.

## References

1. Pink Floyd: The Music and the Mystery
2. [Source](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/pink-floyds-studio-albums-rated/1969-ummagummaavant-garde-experimental-double-album-mixing-live/)
3. [Source](http://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000191310)
4. [Source](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/pink-floyds-studio-albums-rated/)
5. [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=VLWaCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA159)
6. [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=yHsZAQAAIAAJ)
7. MusicBrainz
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Musical Maps. 2018](http://www.musicalmaps.blogspot.com.au/search/label/pinkfloydummagummaback)
10. [AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000191310)