Based on the track and album titles alone, I'd probably have said this was some kind of pan pipe moods style "relaxation" album planted firmly in those shops that sell "authentic" African nick-knackn shops that also sell CDs of whale songs. Indeed, you have to admit that the The Beyondness of Things is not the least pretentious title ever. Of course, this is not a relaxation album per se, although modern John Barry is often fairly laid back, but it is a concert piece. Not really a symphony or a tone poem, more of a rhapsodic stroll through John Barry's memories and life.
Whereas John Williams, for example, writes his concert music in a much more modern idiom than his more romantic film music, John Barry has written what could harshly described as a predictable selection of movements that have many stylistic commonalities with his film music. In fact, a very uncharitable description of the album could be that it is a compilation of film music, but with the main themes changed. We are very much in Out of Africa, Dances With Wolves and My Life territory stylistically. Broad and sweeping melodies all set against Barry's bittersweet harmonies. One of Barry's favourite solo instruments, the harmonica gets a couple of outings, most notably in Kissably Close which has a distinct Midnight Cowboy feel to it, although is never put to quite such memorable use.
Seemingly Barry's favourite orchestra of the moment, the English Chamber Orchestra give a splendid performance, which is captured superbly on the rich and detailed recoding. If you like Barry, then this might make up for his somewhat low output recently, but I suspect anyone with the a more cynical approach to modern Barry might just find the whole thing something of an anticlimax. A lovely album, to be sure, but it doesn't show Barry to be any more versatile than his film music would suggest.
Rating ~ 
Total Time ~ 55:27