John Barry

[batman]

John Barry is, for me, the best Bond composer, with OHMSS being my favourite Barry Bond score. How do people think David Arnold's music compares? And what's your favourite non-Bond Barry score.

Bats.

[Wolfgang]

Somewhere in Time.

[batman]

Somewhere in Time for me too.

Bats.

[Marky B]

Dances With Wolves.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[Frank63]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang Somewhere in Time.

But wasn't that Rachmaninnov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini ? or have I missed something.

John Barry did a cracking CD called something like " A Moment in Time".

For me it's Dances with Wolves

[christoph404]

His work on the Bond films is his best i think, I also like OHMSS and You Only Live Twice, lets not forget Zulu though and interstingly more or less the same score is used on Cry the Beloved Country. I really like the music on " Deadfall" The film has its moments and Eric Portman is good in what I think might be his last film role, but the music is great and Barry himself makes a cameo appearance in the film as....an orchestra conductor, what else! In terms of comparrison between modern composer Arnold and Barry, well for me Barry is in a very different leaugue, he's the maestro as far as I'm concerned.

[batman]

Originally Posted by Frank63 But wasn't that Rachmaninnov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini ? or have I missed something.

No, you are correct about the Rhapsody being part of the score, but the majority is original Barry music, which is beautiful.

Bats.

[batman]

Originally Posted by christoph404 In terms of comparrison between modern composer Arnold and Barry, well for me Barry is in a very different leaugue, he's the maestro as far as I'm concerned.

I agree, Arnold's music has 'Bondian' elements and is great for the action sequences, but IMHO his music for the quieter and more atmospheric moments lacks the class and ambience of Barry.

Bats.

[Wolfgang]

I think John Barry possibly peaked about 1970 - his best Bond scores in my opinion are OHMSS and Diamonds Are Forever, and you also have Midnight Cowboy and Walkabout covered by that period too.

[Freddie Freeloader]

1.Theme from The Persuaders

"Ding ding dingda ding ding ding
Ding ding dinga ding ding ding....."

2. On Her Majesties Secret Service

"Bzornngg....Bzornngg.....Bzornngg"

3.Goldfinger

"Bharmmm Bharrrr...(whah wah wah whaaarr).

[Marky B]

Originally Posted by batman I agree, Arnold's music has 'Bondian' elements and is great for the action sequences, but IMHO his music for the quieter and more atmospheric moments lacks the class and ambience of Barry. Bats.

I preferred Arnold to Eric Serra's music for Goldeneye. The late Michael Kamen did a very good score for Licence to Kill.
Ta Ta
Marky B

[batman]

Originally Posted by Marky B I preferred Arnold to Eric Serra's music for Goldeneye. The late Michael Kamen did a very good score for Licence to Kill. Ta Ta Marky B

I like the LOK score too .... Eric Serra's is IMHO the worst Bond score, too many plinky plonk noises!

Bats.

[Freddy]

That Fatal Kiss from View to Kill is my favourite Bond.

So many of Barry's non Bond which I love but Human Jungle and Walkabout. With the latter I keep hearing 'Blue Remembered Hills' while playing.

Freddy

[Merton Park]

Still love the theme from The Ipcress File. Does anybody remember The John Barry 7 on Six Five Special?

By the way, BBC4 are showing one of the programmes very soon together with Juke Box Jury and various other "pop" shows.

[Geoffers]

Originally Posted by batman John Barry is, for me, the best Bond composer, with OHMSS being my favourite Barry Bond score. How do people think David Arnold's music compares? And what's your favourite non-Bond Barry score. Bats.

I like OHMSS, too, especially listening to the expanded CD - which is about twice the length of the original LP.

I don't think you can compare his Bond work with that of Arnold. For one thing the noise of the effects has risen tremendously since Barry's last effort (The Living Daylights) so Arnold is more-or-less forced to be very loud in order to be heard. We'd have to hear how Barry would have scored some of the Brosnan films to get an idea, though I think a more traditional Barry score would have worked for Casino Royale.

However, from what we have heard from Arnold to date, it's clear, at least to me, that he is not the master of melody Barry was and probably still is. All Barry's Bonds have recognisable themes running through them, and not just the main title. I think most people would be pushed to remember many of Arnold's.

As to non-Bonds, there are so many. The Ipcress File, The Last Valley, Walkabout, The Tamarind Seed, Body Heat, Chaplin, DWW, Robin & Marian, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, Frances, The Knack, King Kong - it's easier to list the ones that are not my favourites!

In 2008 Barry will celebrate his 75th birthday. I'm hoping the BFI will agree to a season of Barry films at the NFT, perhaps using the opportunity to show a couple of rare TV documentaries: Elizabeth Taylor in London & Sophia Loren in Rome. They should also arrange for him to be interviewed. They have at least agreed to discuss this at their next meeting.

I've also organized a "Knighthood" petition at Petition to: award John Barry a Knighthood. - I know these things probably don't do much good, but if you get 200 sigs they have to officially consider it and respond. I would like JB to get the nod whilst he is still alive to enjoy the moment. We are only a handful short!