''Eternal Echoes'' is the name of
John Barry's final solo album. It was his follow-up recording to ''The Beyondness of Things'', an original solo album of independent material not connected to any film. The composer described the 11 pieces of ''Eternal Echoes'' 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."
The album was inspired by the poetry of Barry's friend,
John O'Donohue
John O'Donohue (1 January 1956 – 4 January 2008) was an Irish poet, author, priest, and Hegelian philosopher. He was a native Irish speaker, and as an author is best known for popularising Celtic spirituality.
Early life and education
Eld ...
. Initially, the composer conceived the project as a cycle of songs based on O'Donohue's poems. But it ended up being a purely orchestral recording performed by the
English Chamber Orchestra
The English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and their ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall. The orchestra regularly tours in the UK and internationall ...
. The album also features soloists David White on
saxophone
The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to pr ...
and Tommy Morgan on
harmonica
The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica inclu ...
. The critical reception was rather modest at the time of the album's release. Commercially, ''Eternal Echoes'' was not as successful as ''The Beyondness of Things'' either.
Track listing
#"Eternal Echoes" - 4:25
#"Returning Home" - 4:12
#"Crazy Dog" - 3:03
#"Slow Day" - 3:03
#"Fred and Cyd" - 4:06
#"Blessed Illusion" - 4:08
#"Lullabying" - 3:17
#"Winning" - 3:56
#"Get Over It" - 3:54
#"First Steps" - 3:47
#"Elegy" - 5:37
{{Authority control
2001 albums
John Barry (composer) albums
Decca Records albums