How The Orb's 2017 'Echoes' Cover Got David Gilmour's Blessing

The Orb’s 2017 album Cow / Chill Out World includes a 20-minute ambient take on Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” that samples the original’s iconic ping and atmospheric drones. The duo—Alex Paterson and Youth—had initially been denied permission by Pink Floyd’s management, who were skeptical of an electronic reimagining.

Paterson sent a rough mix to David Gilmour anyway. Gilmour listened, called back, and gave his personal thumbs-up. “He said he loved it,” Paterson recalled. “He said, ‘You’ve taken it somewhere else entirely