"Echoes" - Pink Floyd. An Epic, transcending piece of art

Very often do people get an urge to indulge themselves in things that provide you a surrealistic experience, though most fail to attain it.

Music is one of the ways.

But mind you, it works only for those having a dedication for achieving that moment, and the will power to go against all odds to reach that stage are the ones who reach that that zenith of musical intensity, where emotions immerse with music in a way that sugar does in water.

Today, I take you to a journey for those, seeking calm of mind, and having the virtue of patience.

"Echoes" - Pink Floyd

Post the departure of their influential and talented gem, Syd Barrett, there was an era when Pink Floyd sought newer influences, and visited various places worldwide for this reason. The video of  "Echoes" has its roots in the volcano-devastated town of Pompeii in Southern Italy, where human emotions froze for eternity when they lay dying under the unfortunate volcano eruption in 79 AD. This 20+ minute song was the treasure of their 1971 album, "Meddle".

The sounds variations include the crying of albatrosses to the deep, pain-filled echoes of valleys, and the long stretched instrumental solos.

Album cover of "Meddle" by Pink Floyd, 1971

 Virtuosity came out at its best, as  all four of them got to display their talent. While Waters' guitar solo takes us deep into the depth of his genius, Wright amazed us with his keyboard techniques, and was responsible for the musical arrangement. Gilmour used a voice pitch that best suited the soothing eerie of calm that was supposed to be generated by this song, along with his sound experimentations.  For me, Mason was the best, as he drummed as if his life was dependent on this song.

Though Pink Floyd's lyrical genius is already known to all, Echoes stands out, as it has depth and emotions in its lyrics, and takes us from one phase to another, from the sea to the high lands, from the present to the childhood memories, and what not. It may be lengthy to listen, and one should go for it only if he has undisturbed 25 minutes to indulge to.

I had an experience of a lifetime, when i meditated in the serene Kanheri caves, 2500 years old ,in Mumbai, India, listening to Echoes. I had shut my eyes and got lost in a sea of emotions that came to me while listening to this heavenly track. And I felt I left behind all my problems. This is the magic of musical meditation!

Do try hearing these "Echoes", its pure eargasm for the seekers!