[.ca] Eternal Echoes

From Amazon.co.uk:
Eternal Echoes is John Barry's follow-up to The Beyondness of Things, an original solo album of independent material not connected to any film. From the spare, monochrome artwork it is clear this will be a reflective collection, and the composer describes the 11 pieces as comprising "an album of sounds, of places and of objects that have always existed and always will exist. They are without beginning or end. They are infinite in our past and future." Unfortunately this timelessness translates musically into solemn, dirge-like tracks which sound much like romantic John Barry film themes such as Out of Africa or Dances with Wolves but drained of any life or memorable melodic invention. As a film musician, Barry has been heading towards increasingly string dominated, introspective music for over a decade. As inspired by the poetry of his friend John O'Donahue, Eternal Echoes takes the direction to extremes. While "Fred and Cyd" does have a slowed-down Goldfinger brass swagger and "Blessed Illusion" evokes a wide-open American landscape, the remainder of the cuts serve best as meditative backgrounds which immediately slip from memory. The simultaneously released Enigma soundtrack holds much more of interest for long-term Barry fans. --Gary S Dalkin

John Barry's current state of mind:
This album is a continuation of Barry's recent style heard in "The Beyondness of Things". It has that mellow easy listening quality that at first glance sounds repetitious of his recent work. Of his recent compositions, I would recommend "Playing by Heart". The classic Barry sound can also be heard in the recent recordings of "Last Valley" and "Robin and Marian". Finally, "Moviola" still stands out as an excellent compilation of his finest themes.

Dispensable:
The music on this CD is well recorded and makes very agreeable listening. There are, however, no outstanding melodies or themes. I would categorize what I heard as "sonic doodling." Quite frankly, I would not encourage anyone to purchase this album. Much superior choices would be John Barry's "Moviola" and "Moviola II."

Barry's Fine "Eternal Echoes":
John Barry's latest CD, "Eternal Echoes," is his second recording this year along with his outstanding score for the film "Enigma." The fact that there have been two Barry recordings in one year is itself a notable event. That they are so enjoyable makes it all the better. "Eternal Echoes" is a collection of brief, light jazz pieces and tone poems that proved just right for a canyon drive on a stormy, early October afternoon as large rain drops run off the windshield and collect in dark puddles under trees already turning red, yellow and orange. Similar to his 1998 recording, "The Beyondness of Things," this is the second, recent effort that is not connected to any film, though you will swear that some passages would be perfect for many recent motion pictures. Instead, Barry has produced a series of very personal musical impressions that cannot help but please (for his trademark, dramatic and menacing action tones pick up the soundtrack for "Enigma"). Yet another collaboration with the English Chamber Orchestra, "Eternal Echoes" is a fine easy listening album that is well recorded and produced and very handsomely packaged by Decca.

BARRY ECHOES ETERNALLY:
John Barry's Eternal Echoes is a marvelous addition to any collection of his numerous soundtrack offerings. My first exposure to Barry's music came with Out of Africa. It was shortly thereafter that I happened to be watching one of my favorite movies, The Lion in Winter and discovered that the soundtrack was composed by none other than John Barry. Since then I have added a wide variety of Barry's music to my collection and find that Eternal Echoes is just what the title implies: brilliant echoing music of the sort that any John Barry fan would love.

"open up your heart to Eternal Echoes ~ Barry":
Much of a film's success can be attributed to its fantastic score by John Barry. Brilliantly straddling the line between the demands of the onscreen action and the subtext, the music not only perfectly matches the film, but at times brings it to a new level. This new album by Mr. Barry ~ "Eternal Echoes", takes the listener to places with sounds that exist everywhere without you knowing it. According to legend the writings of a friend John O'Donahue inspired Barry to compose the selections that appear on this one-of-a-kind album. Like Barry's last album "The Beyondness of Things" (460-009-2), time stands still within a realm of subconscious dreamlike-passages into ones life. Our legendary composer has crafted a brilliant movement of cues that innate cinematic illusions, thus capturing our thoughts and memories that seem to linger above with joy and sadness. Barry himself arranged and conducted the English Chamber Orchestra with his signature reflective style. The whole pace of this album is sedate with more of a mellow tone that will creep into your very musical soul. A good example of this is "SLOW DAY", featuring a solo by Tommy Morgan on harmonica , as the strumming of the orchestra blends into a counter-balance. The echoes of heavy brass resounding sends a message of triumphant appeal to all fans of this film music storyteller. Much of Barry's score is variations of themes, sometimes touching on the visuals that only music can express. One such cue is "BLESSED ILLUSION", brass and strings create obsessive musical phrases tending to repeat themselves, very effective. One favorite of mine is "GET OVER IT", the opening chords have so much merit, completely a full bloom of the English Chamber Orchestra under the baton of John Barry is nothing less than spellbinding, the tempo and performance takes your breath away. Believe this is one of the most important albums in Barry's career. Each cue is to be savored like a fine glass of wine, unforgettable compositions are within this rare gem of musicial genius. This is a must have, a keeper for all the fans of movie music and is a "film-score-buffs' delight, gotta love it. Total Time: 43:34 on 11 Tracks ~ Decca 289-466-765-2 ~ (2001)

• Eternal Echoes
• Returning Home
• Crazy Dog
• Slow Day
• Fred and Cyd
• Blessed Illusion
• Lullabying
• Winning
• Get Over It
• First Steps
• Elegy