Pink Floyd's Meddle at 45

[Mister Triscuits]

That is commonly referred to as the "Piltdown Man" (of Scottish influence) section or solo.

"Commonly"? I've heard the grunting section of "Tubular Bells" called that, but never heard it applied to "Echoes."

[JJ88]

^Me neither.

It was great that Rick Wright got to play that track again on his final tour with Gilmour, and indeed the Royal Albert Hall show also had one of David Bowie's last live performances too. Those were wonderful shows, thankfully caught for posterity.

[mozo-pg]

^Me neither.

It was great that Rick Wright got to play that track again on his final tour with Gilmour, and indeed the Royal Albert Hall show also had one of David Bowie's last live performances too. Those were wonderful shows, thankfully caught for posterity.

I was at the show at Massey Hall in Toronto. It was great to see Rick play/sing that night. The highlight was Echoes.

[Tangram]

First time I heard Meddle, or more specifically Echoes, was when a local radio station was playing a weekend of British powerhouses. Usually it was The Beatles, Zeppelin, Stones and The Who. This time they also include Pink Floyd. After being out all night, I came in and settled in the basement for a late night snack which I shared with my dog. Being a PF fan with my introduction to PF was Dark Side from my older brother. I had got the next four albums. Knew nothing about the band before Dark Side. Anyway, on came 'Echoes'. I was completely amazed and stunned at this piece of work. After it was over, I was shocked and just said 'Wow'. I had never heard anything like it before. The DJ left a pause and then said the same thing. I guess we are both not literary giants. Luckily and eventually he got around to announcing what album it came from and the name of the track. I went out and bought the album the next day and worked backwards thru their catalog in short order.

I originally didn't care for 'One of These Days' but I love that track now. 'Pillow' and 'Fearless' were never more than OK for me, but I always enjoyed Seamus and San Tropez a lot. I little bit of fun that PF never really displayed. BTW, my dog passed away about 6 months later and my family got another dog. His name, 'Seamus'!

[bRETT]

The reason I love Meddle is that it's the most (and only?) emotionally "up" Pink Floyd album. It starts off menacing with One of these Days but then you have Pillow Of Winds (blissful), Fearless (grand, inspiring), San Tropez (romantic, whimsical), Seamus (funny) and Echoes (all of the above, minus funny but with menacing added back in). Most of those just aren't moods you find on a Floyd album. It was the one that converted me to them and in a lot of ways it's still my favorite.

[notallwhowander]

The reason I love Meddle is that it's the most (and only?) emotionally "up" Pink Floyd album. It starts off menacing with One of these Days but then you have Pillow Of Winds (blissful), Fearless (grand, inspiring), San Tropez (romantic, whimsical), Seamus (funny) and Echoes (all of the above, minus funny but with menacing added back in). Most of those just aren't moods you find on a Floyd album. It was the one that converted me to them and in a lot of ways it's still my favorite.

Yeah, they are hitting lots of highs, but you don't have the darkness and alienation that comes later. Good call.

[bill g]

The reason I love Meddle is that it's the most (and only?) emotionally "up" Pink Floyd album. It starts off menacing with One of these Days but then you have Pillow Of Winds (blissful), Fearless (grand, inspiring), San Tropez (romantic, whimsical), Seamus (funny) and Echoes (all of the above, minus funny but with menacing added back in). Most of those just aren't moods you find on a Floyd album. It was the one that converted me to them and in a lot of ways it's still my favorite.

Yep. I think 'A Pillow of Winds' will always be my favorite Floyd tune, just hits close to home

[MYSTERIOUS TRAVELLER]

AHM was the band's best album (whether with or without Syd) before Meddle came out.

umm... Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast is pure filler waste

[Halmyre]

"Commonly"? I've heard the grunting section of "Tubular Bells" called that, but never heard it applied to "Echoes."

Me neither. 'Piltdown Man' doesn't seem particularly Scottish to me, and I'm Scottish.

Maybe he's thinking of 'Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict'? Although, Picts and Scots are not the same thing.