Over the weekend, we lost one of the truly great film composers, heck one of the truly great composers period. Only Ennio Morricone and Bernard Herrmann come close. John Barry was able to capture the mood and spirit of a moment in time unlike any other. He also understood pop music and the force a simple beat could have.
His music certainly changed my life and the way I look at scoring. It also makes one reflect on how the film score has become a lost art. His work on eleven of the James Bond films defined the spirit, joy, ecstasy, sadness and rhythms of life.
The haunting moodiness of The Ipcress File, the bombast of From Russia with Love, the dark moody brass of Goldfinger, the wail and murky grace of Thunderball, the stunningly lush strings and melodies of the aching You Only Live Twice, the haunting brass and deep descending bass of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the slinky touch and playfulness of Diamonds Are Forever, the whimsical and eastern The Man With The Golden Gun, the romance and majesty of Moonraker, the classical reassurance of Octopussy, the wailing guitar and composure of A View To a Kill, the dark synths pulsating beats and romantic melodies of The Living Daylights, and the truly immortal James Bond Theme. It may have been ruled that Monty Norman wrote this piece, but it is Barry who made it pulsate and have a soul.
Bring out your Bond compilations, and all your soundtracks. The man deserves a grand sendoff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y952TRNBvDw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxjcN609cm4&feature=related
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