The charming, thoughtfoul Oracle conveys the familiarity and empathy of partners who have worked together for years – light touch, intricacy and sensitivity pervade the session. Oracle wins you over with its warmth and melodicism. – Downbeat, 1994
Oracle, recorded in 1993 and originally released in 1994, captures the first duo meeting between two ECM legends: double bassist Gary Peacock and Ralph Towner on classical and 12-string guitar (another session would follow with 1998’s A Closer View). As Gramophone magazine noted at the time, on the album “Peacock and Towner produce an intellectual intensity” that is “seductively beautiful to listen to”. Tackling each other’s originals, the duo engages in thoughtful interplay that blends composed material with adventurous improvisation seamlessly, creating evocative chamber music dialogues that emphasize the particular sound qualities of their stringed instruments. The album was produced by Manfred Eicher.
Issued on vinyl for the first time as part of ECM’s Luminessence series, Oracle arrives in a tip-on gatefold jacket with photos from the recording session.
