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Bells of a New Day 0:520:00/0:52
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Down, Down 3:490:00/3:49
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Eyes 4:140:00/4:14
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Ransom 4:150:00/4:15
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0:00/5:31
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Stranger 3:560:00/3:56
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Scorpions 4:260:00/4:26
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Hours 3:290:00/3:29
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The Same 3:330:00/3:33
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With What Mouth 4:490:00/4:49
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0:00/2:21
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Fragment 0:410:00/0:41
THE Last Side of the Mountain
CHRIS ECKMAN
"The material for the bulk of this album comes from an unusual source: here Chris Eckman sets to music some of the stark poems of the late Slovenian Dane Zacj who he places in the pantheon alongside Townes Van Zandt.
There is an elemental quality to these images and lyrics, and the indifference of the world, the price you'll pay for life, matters of belief and other weighty ideas. But Eckman sets them to memorable (beautifully produced, and intimate, uplifting) melodies. Guitars gently soar, synths add scale and texture, the orchestration is supportive and elevating.
Originally from Seattle, Eckman has been living in Slovenia for many years and here brings that quality to the music too in the company of local players. One to definitely check out and immerse yourself in. Especially if the name Leonard Cohen means anything to you."
- Graham Reid, Elsewhere
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“Enthralling solo album from Walkabouts front man Chris Eckman, who has set to music several of the poems of obscure Slovenian poet, Dane Zajc.
It was inevitable that having been given as a gift a translation of ‘Barren Harvest’, one of Dane Zacj’s sets of poems, that Chris Eckman would find much to identify with in the late Slovenian poet's verses. The Seattle-born but now Llubljana-based Walkabouts front man and solo singer-songwriter comes from a similar place of the soul to Zajc, sharing with him an earthy fascination with nature and the elements, corresponding thoughts on the uneasiness of communication between the sexes and the same dark romanticism.
For his latest solo album ‘The Last Side of the Mountain’, Eckman has taken nine of Zacj’s poems and set them to music. Musically ‘The Last Side of the Mountain’ finds Eckman on firm but familiar territory, merging together the celestial choirs and orchestras, epic soundscapes and gorgeous melodies that have dominated many of his recent albums with both the Walkabouts and in his solo career.”
John Clarkson, Penny Black Music