Gary Brooker MBE (29 May 1945 – 19 February 2022) was an English singer and pianist, and the founder and lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum.
Brooker started a solo career and released his first solo album No More Fear of Flying in 1979.
Echoes in the Night was the album for all those fans who had been waiting eight years for a Procol Harum reunion.
In addition to Gary Brooker's singing and keyboard work, it featured Procol organist Matthew Fisher, lyricist Keith Reid, and drummer B.J. Wilson.
They didn't appear on every track, but when they got together, notably on the title song (which also featured Eric Clapton), "Saw the Fire," and especially the ambitious "Ghost Train," Procol Harum was back.
Though it is true that there is a lot of Matthew Fisher on this, some lyrics by Keith Reid, and some drums by BJ Wilson, the sound is much less like Procol Harum than on his previous solo albums. Really, "Lead Me to the Water" is Gary's strongest and most Procol-like solo album. "No More Fear of Flying" would come next.
This album and "Prodigal Strangers" (from 1985 and 1991 respectively) sound the most different from the rest of the Procol Harum and Gary Brooker catalog. The slick and synthesized production sounds quite artificial compared to the more natural and organic approach of the rest of the Procol/Brooker musical library. It could be Matthew Fisher who was at fault, since he would have played a big role on both, including in production. Echoes in the Night suffers in that it has very little guitar on it, and maybe only two noticeable solos where you actually are drawn to a guitar being present. BJ's drumming on a few tracks competes with drummers Henry Spinetti, Matt Lettley, and what sounds like drum machines and/or sequencers.
The strongest songs are "Saw the Fire", "Count Me Out", and "Ghost Train". Many of the others are mediocre, though still listenable. Gary's strong voice on even weaker tracks brings them up a bit. I mean, it's so of hard to fault THAT VOICE. It's just too bad that the drums and guitars were not stronger, and the female vocals were gone. That would have helped tremendously. I still don't understand the hoopla over the song "The Long Goodbye". It featured in later live Procol sets, and became the title of the symphonic Procol album, but just seems like a lukewarm and tepid track.
This album and "Prodigal Strangers" (from 1985 and 1991 respectively) sound the most different from the rest of the Procol Harum and Gary Brooker catalog. The slick and synthesized production sounds quite artificial compared to the more natural and organic approach of the rest of the Procol/Brooker musical library. It could be Matthew Fisher who was at fault, since he would have played a big role on both, including in production. Echoes in the Night suffers in that it has very little guitar on it, and maybe only two noticeable solos where you actually are drawn to a guitar being present. BJ's drumming on a few tracks competes with drummers Henry Spinetti, Matt Lettley, and what sounds like drum machines and/or sequencers.
The strongest songs are "Saw the Fire", "Count Me Out", and "Ghost Train". Many of the others are mediocre, though still listenable. Gary's strong voice on even weaker tracks brings them up a bit. I mean, it's so of hard to fault THAT VOICE. It's just too bad that the drums and guitars were not stronger, and the female vocals were gone. That would have helped tremendously. I still don't understand the hoopla over the song "The Long Goodbye". It featured in later live Procol sets, and became the title of the symphonic Procol album, but just seems like a lukewarm and tepid track.
Track listing
1. Count Me Out - 4:17
2. Two Fools In Love - 3:56
3. Echoes In The Night - 4:38
4. Ghost Train - 4:21
5. Mr. Blue Day - 3:44
6. Saw The Fire - 5:15
7. The Long Goodbye - 3:46
8. Hear What You're Saying - 5:24
9. Missing Person - 3:42
10. Trick Of The Night - 2:45
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