Monday, January 31, 2011

R.I.P. John Barry

I expect quite a few people will be posting title sequences from James Bond films, so here's something different.

The Bond Band is a 12 piece band, including six horns, who do a pretty good job of recreating that wonderful, lush John Barry sound. According their website, they are available for birthdays, weddings, parties and corporate events. I'd guess that this clip comes from the latter, judging by the pathetic response to this wonderful performnace:

10 comments:

Kath said...

I love John Barry's music and all day have been reading comments about his music - mostly of his work on James Bond films...and Dancing with Wolves but my most favorate was Somewhere in Time...his music has become nameless to me...always in my heart and my head.

Shena said...

"His sound style will love forever"
The melody for "You Only Live Twice" is one of my favorite things ever

Martin said...

Now, there was a man who left this world, having made it a more pleasant place. R.I.P. indeed.

Annabel (gaskella) said...

I adore his music - my personal fave theme is The Ipcress Files, but I have fondest memories of watching The Persuaders every Sunday afternoon before the Big Match on ITV in the 1970s.

Garry said...

He was the king!! May he rest in peace.....

Jim Murdoch said...

There are a number of soundtrack composers who (sadly) will only ever be remembered for one or two things. Morricone is one (you’d think he wrote nothing bar the ‘Dollars’ Trilogy of films) and yet his output is huge and John Barry is no different. I have seven soundtracks by him but no Bond. I think Dances with Wolves is my favourite although Somewhere in Time is an underrated gem.

Nicole said...

I found "Indecent Proposal" a strangely compelling movie and found myself watching it over and over before I realized that I was just trying to experience the wonderful John Barry music...

Steerforth said...

I had no idea that so many other people loved John Barry.

I agree that the non-Bond scores were also wonderful - The Persuaders was a wonderful theme tune. But my favourite is probably Walkabout - the music is as expansive and beautiful as the landscape.

You can spot a John Barry soundtrack within seconds. It isn't just the powerful brass, the soaring violins or the quiet moments with muted strings and a harp, but also the chord progressions.

I agree with Sheena, You Only Live Twice is wonderful. When the strings begin the tune, it's one of the most sensuous moments in music I can think of.

I shall have to listen to Somewhere in Time.

Jim - I think Morricone is also known for The Mission these days as well, isn't he?

Junie said...

Let me mention John Barry's beautifully delicate and wistful score for Jagged Edge.

His music has been part of my life for over 40 years. I only hope he knew how much his music meant to so many. Even before his death, the YouTube videos featuring his work and movie messageboards were full of people who really loved his music and will go on loving it.


By the way, among film buffs, Morricone is known for the Leone westerns and The Mission but also for Days of Heaven.

Jim Murdoch said...

I was never that fond of The Mission actually. My favourite Morricone soundtrack is probably The Legend of 1900 and the song at the end (sung by Roger Waters) is just wonderful. Here it is on YouTube. The film is also magical about a man born at sea who never sets foot on dry land.