Well, you all know this album. Features two excellent proggy space rock numbers in 'One of These Days' (the only song from this album, incidentally, you would have heard on the radio back in the day) and 'Echoes'. And then there's four rather boring folk rock tracks sandwiched in between. These are far more prosaic and backporch-y than the mystical dazed folk of More, for example. They're definitely no longer a psych band by this time. I particularly enjoy the second movement (as it were) of 'Echoes' with its excellent organ and guitar jam. The interesting aspect of this album is just how ordinary it is for 1971. No doubt that Pink Floyd were major influencers throughout the 60s. But on Meddle, they seem to be followers. There's many more examples of music like this from 1970 and '71 that is much more interesting. And this blog is full of them. After this, it seemed Pink Floyd realized this situation as well, and went about making Dark Side of The Moon. I'm not really a fan of the latter, but it's hard to argue that it wasn't groundbreaking. They were leaders once again.
Ownership: CD: 1986 Capitol. So after that riveting review, why is this a Top 25 CD again? Glad you asked :-) In the summer of 1986, I was working as a summer intern at a major US government military defense contractor in the Dallas area. It was a great gig, and I was very lucky to get it. I had mediocre grades (electrical engineering, to be fair...) and not much else going for me. But a very close buddy of mine's Dad was one of the 4 owners of the company (see Al Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy post for more about this friend). Yes, it's true, it's who you know... In any case, I did thrive at the job, and was making serious money for a 21 year old intern. So what does a 21 year old dude in 1986 with money do? He buys him a new stereo, that's what! With a CD player! Wow - I was rich. We forget now how expensive CD players - and CDs - were at the time. Of course since I bought a new player, I needed product to go with it. There was a limited selection of CDs at the time. And, of course, there's no way I'm buying a CD of something I already have on LP. Meddle was one of the few Pink Floyd albums I didn't have at the time. So... it was the first CD I ever owned! I told you nostalgia plays a big role in these Top 25 Most Important lists. In fact, it's so old, it has a smooth jewel case with no ridges. Those have become collectible now too, of all things.
LP: 1975 Harvest. Would you believe I never did own a copy of the LP until earlier this year? Found it at an antique mall, and priced fairly (though not a great bargain). Didn't realize it was a later press until I looked at all the markings and compared on Discogs. I like the gatefold cover so I'll probably hold onto it, but the CD is the primary for me, for all the reasons above.
8/28/21 (new entry)
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