That kind of sums Tony’s music up. Tony sees few stylistic barriers in music. He can come up with the most gorgeously complex cathedral styles, and then turn around and channel the Beatles with overtones of the theme music of Star Trek, and a little Avro Pärt besides. Tony likes to say that his brother, Paul Barr, who was one of the leading astrophysicists in the world until his untimely death some years ago, used to explore the cosmos of the physical universe, while he – Tony – explores the metaphysical cosmos through theology and musical composition.
Tony Barr and John Towner record Fred Vipond on organ back in February.
My involvement in Tony’s music has been long and comprehensive – I’ve probably spent more time on his work this past year than I have on my own. I’ve also got to spend several hundred hours working in a recording studio, one of my favorite places to be, at a professional level. And been paid for it, even! It has at times been frustrating, at times exhilarating, but always interesting, skillbuilding, challenging.
Anyway, by the end of the month Tony will have completed three projects (the fourth is in the works, of course), hopefully in time for the NPM convention in July. I’m just grateful to my friend for letting me be a part of it, and for giving me the opportunity to learn so much in the doing of it.
Now . . . Back to Pink Floyd! (Or is it Berlioz?)
Just to say, dear Feargal, that you must be amassing a huge amount of brownie points in your journey towards sainthood…. Working with Tony is (and I know, because I’ve done it) an exercise bordering on the extremes of masochism. I admire your patience and commitment to friendship.
Looking forward to seeing you in Chicago in a little over a month…. Her Majesty will be with me, of course.
Hi Paul!
Well you could look at it this way . . . he has to work with me too!
See you in Chi-Town next month!
Hell Feargal,
I have finally come into the 20th century and got myself a laptop and am wired up to the net! Your website is great. Congrats to Rioghan Rose on her new belt! I don’t have a blog page…is that the same as facebook? You really have put alot of work into this blog/website stuff. I just have e mail and that is more than enough for me! all the best to Breda. happy recording and blogging! I’m on a total break from all church activities till september. I got churched out of it!
all the best,
Siobhan