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John Barry (1933-2011) - Scorekeeper & Harry remembers and honors him
ScoreKeeper here with the worst kind of news. Legendary film composer John Barry passed away late last night at the age of 77. You don't have to be a passionate pursuer of film music or an avid soundtrack collector to have been blessed by Barry's musical gifts. He transcended niches and touched the lives of practically every movie lover around the world.
Although he'll be most remembered for composing scores for eleven James Bond films, DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990), THE BLACK HOLE (1979), A LION IN WINTER (1968), CHAPLIN (1992), OUT OF AFRICA (1985), BODY HEAT (1981), and countless others, one of my personal favorites is a slightly lesser-known work entitled MY LIFE (1993) starring Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman.
There was something about Barry's score for MY LIFE that struck me in a profound way. The film deals with the incredibly difficult subject of celebrating life even while staring in the face of death. Keaton's character develops an inoperable brain tumor and is given a few months to live. His sole goal becomes to live long enough to see the birth of his child. While he struggles to heal his body, he discovers the importance of healing his spirit.
I can't imagine a more difficult subject of which to compose music. Barry's impeccable score for MY LIFE unleashes the unimaginable sadness of death paired harmoniously with a joyous celebration of life.
I can't think of a score more appropriate...
Rest in peace, Mr. Barry. You will be missed.
I know there are other writers here at Ain't It Cool who were touched by the genius of John Barry. I invite them to add their own words to this eulogy if they so desire.
On behalf of Ain't It Cool News, I'd like to extend my condolences to the Barry family. May the treasures he left behind lift your spirits in this time of overwhelming grief.
Hey folks, Harry here...
I remember as a boy, I was obsessed with the KING KONG remake. Obsessed. The original 1933 KING KONG had been my most favoritest film ever... and that is exactly how I put it. The initial marketing push for me was at TACO BELL and REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS... They had these giant reproductions of that great KONG art head looking in the window of the place - and REESE'S ran a Willy Wonka style - Win a Part in the new KING KONG contest which unfortunately I took too seriously as a youth. Developing an lust for chocolate and peanut butter which should never be encouraged in a young boy.
BUT - the point where I went nuts was when John Barry's score was released, about a month before the film was. My parents had managed to secure one of the KING KONG window heads and it looked into my bedroom from my windows - and I'd listen to Barry's score and dream of KING KONG. His score created such a beautiful seeming film. KONG felt majestic, Ann's theme was flirtatious and sweet... innocent. The heavy moments seemed filled with dread and tension - and I was absolutely convinced it was going to be the best thing ever.
The resulting film was never as good as the pre-production art and John Barry's score. Though I really did love Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges' work in the film. But as great as Rick Baker was - I still could not shake the MAN-IN-SUIT of KING KONG, and that was a GODZILLA thing. The thing that made GODZILLA less cool than Kong. Kong was supposed to be brought to life in a manner I could never wrap my head arounds as a kid. But this... my eyes instantly told me, that's a human being in there. It ruined the magic... along with Charles Grodin and the entire Oil Company plot - and when Kong is in the giant gas pump... forget it.
But throughout the embarrassingly bad moments of that Kong remake - John Barry made it soar. He's the reason I own the film in 16mm.
John Barry made all the Bond Girls in my youth... desirable, when I wasn't even sure what my desires were. His music made the women on the screen the most sensual beings I've seen. Sure it had something to do with the fact that those Bond women of the late 70's and early 80's - well they were hot as hell, the photography made them seem soft... but Barry's music made their love and sexuality overwhelming. These weren't women you'd see in the world, they had John Barry music as they moved.
The same goes for the Cygnus in BLACK HOLE... Barry's music added so much to the already stunning gothic look of that magnificent space craft. His music and that whirring blender blade sound effect is what made that scary scarlet beast so damn scary. He gave those faceless robed "robots" souls. Especially when one began limping.
His scores elevated the films in which they accompanied. Without those scores, I wonder if I could even really watch either film.
I got the news of Barry's death right as I was going to bed last night. I slept to KONG & BLACK HOLE - and it was a good sleep.
Barry was one of the best.
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I always hoped he'd do one more Bond score.
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The score that comes to mind with me is The Specialist, not a great film, but LOVED his score to it, among many, many other titles.
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How can any mention of the work of John Barry not include a strong reference to Zulu, one of the most rousing scores ever made?
A true legend of cinema. His work will never be forgotten. -
awesome work. rip
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You'll be missed.
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Barry didn't have many rejected scores, which sort of says it all. He really adapted his style to the film and wasn't nearly as derivative as certain film score critics attest.
He had a horrible time recovering from nearly losing his upper digestive system to some 'health drink' in the 80s...thankfully he lived through that to continue to live and work.
I believe his THE BLACK HOLE was the first digitally-recorded OST. It's on iTunes.
I think THE DEEP was the last score of his released commercially (Intrada).
There was actually court action on the JAMES BOND theme, whether Barry was arranger or composer. Worth 'Googling'.
Wow, it's so awful losing these composers.
R.I.P. -
The soundtrack for The Black Hole is one of my earliest and fondest musical memories!
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My work day is shot, dick.
RIP, Mr. Barry. What great work.
And now, to go along with your amazing body of music, you have farewell wishes from someone named "tittytwister" and "LouStools."
Your work is done, my friend. -
Jan 31, 2011 8:57:47 AM CST
My favorite scores from the '60s through the '80s
by openthepodbaydoorshal
were from Bernard Herrmann, Jerry Goldsmith, and the great John Barry. There was something lyrical and romantic, even in his Bond scores, that made his work instantly recognizable.
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RIP John
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From Her Majesty's Secret Service...followed by Goldfinger.
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I always loved this score!
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A very sad day, but there are so many great scores left to remember him by that he will never be forgotten.
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It's playing on BBC as I type!
Seriously, brilliant musicianship from Mr. Barry. He will certainly be missed. -
As it was, "The Living Daylights" was an outstanding swan song for him. I grew up with the Bond films (and The Black Hole), so John Barry was a huge influence on how I came to understand the world of cinema. This is pretty lousy news. He will be missed.
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A loss to all of us, creatives of his calibur should be given a live-forever-pass.
His beautiful work will always be heard playing loudly from thousands of homes and theatres all over the world.
RIP. -
RIP Mr Barry. You were one of my favourite composers.
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His talent for composing romantic, sweeping scores with the most equisite use of strings and horns was unequaled. John Barry, you will be missed greatly.
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RIP John Barry.
My fave ever film composer.. partly because he was equally genius at writing regular 'songs' of the 4 minute variety as composing instrumental scores.
His music is classy, beautiful, elegant - and at times heart-pumpingly exciting.
Farewell to a true great. -
At least his contribution was one of the better elements of the film.
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...best buck I´ve ever spent. Good flick.
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Just really fucking unhappy about this........Mr Barry, conduct the FUCK out of that celestial quior, sir!!!!!!
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Jan 31, 2011 9:22:13 AM CST
John Barry was one of two men to give John Williams...
by snake foreskin
a run for his money as greatest living film composer. Jerry Goldsmith was the other. Now Williams is all alone. I would have loved to have seen a John Barry Superman score! Too bad we won't ever get that treat now.
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This guy was just awesome. My personal favortie is "On His Majesty's Secret Service" - the theme is just kicks ass.
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amen... good call
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You will be missed.
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A huge loss. It's ironic that the most cinematic sensation one can experience is not something visual, but aural. Nothing says "movies" as much as one of John Barry's sweeping scores does. Sometimes the swelling waves of his music felt like they were too big for the frame and would burst from the screen.
Even crap movies like Raise the Titanic and King Kong were singlehandedly rescued by Barry's scores.
R.I.P. -
Terrific composer, beautiful sountracks. His "King Kong" soundtrack was terrific MOVIE music, and started me on a path of collecting movie music. Whenever I write, I'd put on "Dances With Wolves". RIP
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Collected his albums in high school, and college - back in the day. Now, when taking long cross-country drives, I enjoy popping in a CD. Wonderful music.
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a lot of them had a sort of brooding moodiness to them. He was one of the all-time greats.
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As well as Bond, his scores for some of Britains best 60s films, The Knack, King. Rat etc are worth checking out
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Rest in Peace, Mr. Barry. How many movie composers have a written a song that people around the world know instantly? How many have written dozens of such songs? He was unquestionably among the best ever, and set the bar for others to follow.
We have all the time in the world to appreciate his legacy... -
One of my favorite composers, yep he will be missed
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I'm listening to The Black Hole as I write this. You were spectacular. Your music has inspired me many times during my writing.
RIP -
I join Scorekeeper in mourning the loss of John Barry, one of the great composers...
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"You only live twice"'s score made me the man I am today. We'll miss you, sir.
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Couldn't have put it better myself.
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Jan 31, 2011 10:15:47 AM CST
Don't forget his non-film works. Eternal Echoes & The Beyondness Of Things.
by johnny wishbone
2 further amazing albums.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yIrAXZlSx8 -
Jan 31, 2011 10:18:38 AM CST
His theme for OHMSS is one of the best Bond themes ever
by redhead_redemption
I believe it was also used in the incredibles and countless other films and trailers. But it's one of the best bond themes ever and because it has no lyrics its also the least dated even though it's from 1969
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Jan 31, 2011 10:23:13 AM CST
John Barry scored "Star Crash" as if it were "Star Wars"
by the reluctant austinite
His score could always make any picture seem bigger than it really was. He gave 'King Kong" size and scope and a sense of lurking danger and adventure. He gave mystery and intrigue and a sense of the infinite to "The Black Hole." He truly was one of the greatest film composers who ever lived; any top ten film composer list simply MUST include his name or immediately be rendered worthless.
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Music is 50 percent of a movie someone once said. John Barry's scores often pushed a films totality to 110 percent. The Bonds were good enough but add The Black Hole and others already mentioned and a genuine legacy is left by the man. Someone has already mentioned the Holy Trinity.... Barry, Goldsmith and Williams. The latter is all that's left. The newer guys Zimmer, Horner, Howard etc are already great but I'm sure those guys are modest enough to acknowledge the trinity as masters of the craft and who they aspire to. Thank you Mr. Barry.
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...like many men, I acquiesced most of the decision-making to her. The one thing I insisted upon which I insisted on making most of the decisions was the music. I hate what passes for "traditional" wedding music nowadays. I hate line dances, never want to hear "Celebration," and have a real bug up my ass about "I Will Survive." It's a song about a woman who was fucked over saying she will survive without the guy who fucked her over - so of course, it's a song every blushing bride should hear on her wedding night, right? I mean, Jesus wept.
So while I threw some red meat popular songs into the mix, I also used a lot of lounge music, a lot of one-hit-wonders from the 70s and 80s for nostalgia purposes...and when Mrs. Magoo & I walked into the reception, referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Magoo for the first time, this is the music that played us into the room. John Barry's theme to "Beat Girl," quite possibly the bad-ass-ingest tune in the history of tunes. To love this song is to celebrate the life and masterful work of a man who should have had John Williams and Danny Elfman fighting over the right to fellate him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B86I_wDmWW4 -
Also agree the OHMSS theme is one of the best if not the best bond theme. Absolutely love it!
I am a huge fan of the bond films, but the John Barry music is a thing un to itself. Got all the soundtracks and will often have them on in the background while I work. Great music!
Used to use OHMSS as a ring tone.
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I'll go home tonight, pour a large whisky and drink a toast to Mr Barry as I listen to The Beyondness of Things.
If you don't own it, then get it as it's Barry at his best - just close your eyes and his music takes you to a better place. -
Another one of the greats gone. I will miss him. He does leave behind a great body of work. In honor of Mr. Barry, i'll pop in my Out of Africa dvd. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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John mentioned on The DVD how he had written The Score within Six Months of his Mum and Dad passing. It's a Score that will touch you're soul. Enjoy The Hereafter John and Thank you so much for you're Beautiful Music that will live forever inside me.
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Loved OHMSS, loved all of the early Bond scores, but my own personal favourite is the Ipcress File soundtrack. Mr Prenderghast could do 'sinister' so well.
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is a work of genius. So beautiful and haunting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO4dS7gq73U
Should have won an Oscar for that.
I doubt any other film composer has so successfully married simple elegant melodies with such melancholy. His music beautifully captured the essence of the human condition.
As for Bond - well, what can you say. He gave the world the music of James Bond. What a legacy.
His music will live on for ever.
RIP
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I've never seen the movie but I heard a track of it in a John Barry collection and was blown away.
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John Barry made my favorite film music. Game of Death, Star Crash, Out of Africa to name a few. I can pick his music out of a film easily just by hearing the lilting horns or a trademark rattle of a drum in the background.
This is bad news today but I will go back and relish his music in his honor. -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jjywVmz2EI&
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With Goldsmith and Barry gone only Williams remains. Cueing up The Living Daylights right now...
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... the very first time I truly noticed music in a movie was watching the opening "Capsule In Space" sequence from You Only Live Twice when i was about 6yo. My love of movies and their music grew from those few minutes.
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Loved all the music to that one.
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Not the recent version, of course. Check out 'The Me I Never Knew' at 4 min 18 sec:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO4dS7gq73U
Amazing, isn't it? Ridiculously brilliant.
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That is an amazing score. How could I forget that one??!! DOH!
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Williams keeps getting mentioned but let's not forget Ennio Morricone is still with us too.
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Jan 31, 2011 10:56:55 AM CST
If he'd scored no other film than SOMEWHERE IN TIME, we'd still be talking about him.
by greggers
The score to SOMEWHERE IN TIME isn't just a great score, it's great music.
But of course, Barry did so much more. I'd like add to the praise of THE BLACK HOLE, OUT OF AFRICA, DANCES WITH WOLVES, and of course, all the James Bond movies he worked on. His music was a *integral part* of the Bond world; so much so that all other Bond scores will be pastiche.
And yes, the theme to ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is sublime. -
Still in deep shock over this news, the word "Legend" is sometimes over used but John Barry earned that title with a magnificent body of work. He was the British "John Williams" and his music for even less well known or less successful films lent a quality they would not otherwise have had. Amongst his less well known work, I really enjoyed his scores for Enigma and The Black Hole to name but two.
My thoughts are with John's family at this time. -
So long, and thanks for all the music.
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Since I was a 16 or 17 - introduced to him through Somewhere in Time. My playlist of favorite Barry tracks is over 16 hours - love to set it to random and spend a long Sunday afternoon that way. I've got it on now.
As for great soundtracks set to not so great films, many have already been mentioned - but if you haven't heard it yet, try High Road to China. Farewell to Struts, in particular, one of the most beautiful things you'll ever hear.
Strange, how it can hurt to lose someone you've never met. Rest in peace. -
Jan 31, 2011 11:21:47 AM CST
Born free....as free as the wind blows...as free as the grass grows...born free to follow your heart
by nasty in the pasty
Barry was one of the all-time greats, and could even write a beautiful love theme for a piece of crap like Howard The Duck. And Body Heat remains the SEXIEST film score ever written ("No, Ned...I'm weak"). Especially in comparison to today's tuneless droning in film music, Barry's voice will never be replicated. Now, watch the Broccolis fail to dedicate the next James Bond movie to him...
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Not a great film, certainly -- it did so poorly the soundtrack was hard to find for years afterward, but people clamored for it so much it was eventually made available.
Thirty years later I still remember what great music that was. Unforgettable.
R.I.P. -
There are so few really great film scores anymore. We need more like John Barry.
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Such sad news. THE LION IN WINTER is still my personal favorite. When will Disney release the full BLACK HOLE score though? All of the best cues got missed off the album.
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Such sad news. THE LION IN WINTER is still my personal favorite. When will Disney release the full BLACK HOLE score though? All of the best cues got missed off the album.
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Jan 31, 2011 11:34:47 AM CST
Gotta give some love for the "Diamonds Are Forever" soundtrack.
by writefortheedit
What a musical legacy this man leaves behind. I just bought "The Black Hole" intro theme a few weeks ago... Magnificent.
You will be missed, good sir, but remembered fondly always. -
He gave us his best... RIP.
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RIP John Barry. I was holding out hope to see you live in concert, but I missed that train sadly!
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No such thing as a bad Barry score. Could listen to any of them chosen at random for hours.
Be warned, though: if you do listen his stuff for extended periods of time, it has a way of burrowing into your brain; you start making up Barry-like compositions on your own. Carl Stalling's like that too, for whatever reason. -
Rest in peace.
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Jan 31, 2011 12:16:16 PM CST
I find myself repeatedly listening to the OHMSS soundtrack today...
by peter franks
and fondly remembering John Barry's brilliance, the shear beauty of his work, and how grateful I am for the gifts he leaves us.
Godspeed, maestro. -
Jan 31, 2011 12:33:00 PM CST
Re: Diamonds Are Forever, the music composed for the opening of the laser in space...
by writefortheedit
...can't recall the title of the piece, but it is achingly beautiful, I think.
Jesus, what would movies be without great music? -
Some personal favorites of mine are....Walkabout, Midnight Cowboy and The Knack, also The Lion In Winter for the haunting Chinon/Eleanor's Arrival.
R.I.P. Mr. Barry. -
Playing your music today.
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The other being Jerry Goldsmith. Sad day.
It's odd that I was just watching a John Barry documentary last night.
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smudj3, you're right about the 'Capsule In Space' orchestration Barry wrote for YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.
As the baddie spaceship opens it's maw and swallows up the US capsule, accompanied by Barry's music that Thunderbirdesque scene becomes a thing of true majesty.
I'll also echo others who praised THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS, I personally liked the somewhat MIDNIGHT COWBOY sounding end credit song 'If There Was A Man' by The Pretenders more than the AHA theme tune.
Truth be told though, everything John Barry touched sounded golden. "The man with the midas touch". -
He wrote probably the most well known film theme in history (Bond not Born Free!)
That's one heck of a legacy to leave behind.. R.I.P -
Depressing news. R.I.P.
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His Dances with Wolves soundtrack is one of the greatest movie soundtracks IMO and his contribution to the Bond films (even the lesser films) is immense.
Sorry to hear that Barry is gone. Although, I am pleased that the people at Eon decided a few years ago that they needed to bring back that "Barry sound" and hired David Arnold as their go-to Bond score composer. It just illustrates how important Barry's work was on that series of films. -
For all your beautiful music. I'll never listen to Somewhere in Time the same way again.
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he said it was his favorite because of the passing of his parents (mentioned elsewhere above). Listen to it at least once a week while working. Man was sheer genius, able to tackle so many different kind of scores. SIT is modern-day classical music. Give it a listen. If there is heart in you, you will tear up - at instrumental music!
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Let's not forget about one of the greatest TV themes :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_yyCPmTu0 -
... that is a shame boys... it´s a shame!
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Jan 31, 2011 1:48:08 PM CST
His music literally makes Dances with Wolves much better than it actually is.
by mel garga
And his 'Zulu' score is amazing. Barry is one of my personal favorites. I've listened to all his stuff via iTunes. There's an album called Eternal Echoes as someone mentioned above that's just aces. This is very sad news indeed.
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That's the one.
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Great one that.
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Wow. I don't know what to say...I've heard about a lot of deaths over the years of people who's work I admired, but to hear of John Barry's passing...truly sad. I loved his work more than any other film composer. His unique sound, fat & brassy...thick & ominous, was amazing. His music moved me like no one else's. I could FEEL the cues course through me. I would often put in The Black Hole, On Her Majesty's Secret Service or Raise The Titanic just to hear that awesome and relaxing sound he created. Many composers have tried to score Bond flicks, but nobody came close to John Barry's scores. He was THE Bond composer. David Arnold has done an amazing and admirable job of emulating that sound and I truly appreciate his work in honoring Barry's scores, but the original is still the best.
This is indeed a sad day for all of Barry's fans.
Goodbye, John...you will be missed. -
Jan 31, 2011 2:10:01 PM CST
DANCES WITH WOLVES ...my first date with the woman who would become my wife.
by jdanielp
As far as I'm concerned, this is everyone's loss, in both music and film. The man was capable of music that would touch the soul. --R.I.P. John Barry.
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I was watching the recent DVD release of StarCrash the other night and noticed that the lush score was written by none other than Mr. John Barry. Shocked to see his name attached to such a piece of Euro-fluff, it elevated the flick to almost-legitimacy. To have a music that good in a movie that poor takes talent, which he had in buckets. Surely the most incongruous combination until Henry Mancini scratched out Williams-esque bombast for "Lifeforce", but that's best left for another thread.
Rest in peace, Mr. Barry. -
..but my favorite of his is the Body Heat soundtrack. That truly was a film where the music was almost another character. And, though I', a bit fonder of the 76 King Kong than some of you, I loved the music. Wish they'd adapted it for Jackson's version. Oh, and Harry, I don't have the Kong soundtrack handy, but I doubt there was a cut called Ann's theme. How could you forget Jessica Lange's bubbleheaded "Dwan"?
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This flat out sucks.
Truly one of the greats.
RIP, John.
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...The Specialist a better movie than it should be.
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Say what you will about the movie, but Barry's score for "Indecent Proposal" really struck a nerve with me. It's a beautiful and overlooked piece of music. Anyway, I echo the sentiments of all here. Barry's was a distinct and immediately recognizable musical voice. He made better every project he worked on. The list of great film composers still with us is getting shorter and shorter. Count them on one hand and have a couple fingers left over. I tell you this --- when John Williams leaves us an era will truly have passed.
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This is a sad loss. The King Kong soundtrack is not only a major part of my childhood, but still remains a favorite to this day. Barry is a legend.
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Still one of my personal all time favs! RIP John Barry
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...May John Williams continue to grace films with his talents for many years. I'm glad to see all the positive comments. John Barry was my all time favorite. I would love to see an expanded score for King Kong '76. Some really strong cues never made it to the soundtrack album. Thank you for the music, John Barry. You are missed already.
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RIP John - a diamond geezer
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That music is pure genius, how do adapt a classical piece of music then add to it and make it even better. It is simply beautiful and that movie and music were a big reason my wife and I had so much in common. Thank you John Barry for helping me to find my soulmate. I still listen to the soundtrack to this day. His music is always hauntingly beautiful. Yes John Williams had the flash and the bigger than life movies but John Barry brought the soul and the emotion to another level. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
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The two scores I am the most familiar with are the Black Hole and Out of Africa. Very opposite movies, but very haunting sountracks. I was not aware that Mr. Barry was the genius that gave us the James Bond theme and that he was involved with many of the Bond films. Truly this was one of the titans of the industry that has unfairly been pushed to the back.
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No-one could touch the quality of John Barry's works, this is a massive loss. His Bond themes were all superb and still stand up to regular replays now. Every time a new Bond film was announced, my first thought was as to whether John Barry would be doing the soundtrack, even now, over twenty years since his last 007 work. Frankly, I think it is something of a disgrace that he was (seemingly) cast aside by EON for the Bonds, as it is so much his sound that defines the character on-screen. David Arnold seems to get hired for no other reason than because he talks a good game, often mentioning John Barry in interviews. But I struggle to remember a single note from any of Arnold's Bond scores, and the main themes have become laughably bad - anyone humming the theme from Quantum right now? Thought not. I can't even remember what it was called, let alone how it went.
If I was Brosnan or Craig, I would have demanded that Barry be hired for the scoring, jsut to really know that I was properly Bond. But just as Brosnan's rubbish Bonds tailed off into oblivion, so the overall quality control of the Bond people was seemingly lost, as the money men also screwed everything up. Apart from Casino Royale, a brief return to (great) form, I hold out little hope for the next one, but a John Barry score could have made a massive difference. He didn't only do Bond, I know, and I love his other stuff, but his Bond work is what he will be largely be remembered for, and thank god we can still listen to them now. RIP John Barry, too good a man to lose. -
And clearly I'm not alone going by the TB above. It's sad when you hear of one of the greats going, but this is first time that I feel actual personal loss.
I'd never met the man, I honestly can say I have no idea what he actually looked like, and I never heard his voice, but I'm certain that I knew him well enough through his music.
Out of Africa is one of the most beautiful soundtracks I have ever heard. He knew how to take his time so we were drawn into the characters and their story.
I will play only Barry music today and think of him. -
Chill out, you old geezer. David Arnold had nothing to do with Quantum's main theme.
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In his honour. Say what you want about the actual movie, but you can't deny the music in it was awe inspiring.
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Besides coming up with memorable film scores, he composed one of the best TV openings of all time.
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The Dances with Wolves score is my favorite one in movie history. There was something about the John Dunbar theme that just hit me deep in my soul. I used to listen to that album to fall asleep at night. I think I might have to start doing that again.
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I agree with everyone's picks but the later score that I really responded to was his music for Playing by Heart (1998). Not only was it a nice dramatic film, well made and a good story.
But it struck me that he returned a little to the way he approached his orchestration on the Bond films when Mr. Connery was on screen. I'm not saying it was the swinging, brassy cues. It was more the string writing and arranging. I haven't seen the film in years but I definitely "heard" it. -
Jan 31, 2011 5:44:52 PM CST
Such a sad loss - so many movies his music gave a touch of class to...
by cervantes
...no matter the quality of the overall movie, you knew it would SOUND great if you saw his name attatched to it.
He really should have been given the chance to do a few more BONDs. A missed opportunity by the makers to have that 'definitive' sound in their movies.
It's true. A memorable soundtrack can make a piece of crap seem something bearable...and can make elevate something half-decent into something magnificent! Too many movie-makers fail to realise this these days, and make do with half-assed scores all too often.
John Barry's beautiful, atmospheric, and majestic body of work will remain timeless however...and EVERY single precious note of his soundtrack music should be made available in future.
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Apparently, Mr. Barry was approached many times over the years to return to the Bond series. The comment I remember him making on one of these occasions was he didn't like the "feel" or the violence of the newer films and would politely decline.
I am somewhat surprised that other established Bond themes were not at least used a little in other films he didn't score.
I'm thinking specifically about the piece of music entitiled "007". It was used in FRWL and TB but for me, it's the perfect music for ANY gigantic fight sequence! -
Jan 31, 2011 6:03:35 PM CST
We have all the time in the world/Midnight Cowboy/The Persuaders theme
by billybatson1000
3 of my absolute favourites. The guy was an absolute genius. I've been a life long fan. His music made the tiny hairs on the back of your neck stand up! Rest in peace John. Nobody will ever reach your heights again.
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Always loved his small writing on Bond films. It always fully supported or commented on the action yet remained hummable or memorable without being intrusive:
finger cymbal & organ - whenever "Oddjob" showed up in GF.
the slow flute melody whenever anyone was underwater in TB
the "cha cha cha" calypso version of "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" the aborted theme to TB
the japanese wedding music in YOLT
bass guitar & flute melody for Wint and Kidd in DAF
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Which says a hell of a lot about how good he was. There's no replacement for his genius.
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And only 77. Gave so much, it is gutting to see him go.
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mikethespike, I know David Arnold had little to do with the Quantum theme, but that only reinforces my point - if John Barry was doing the score, he would have done the theme as well, and never allowed trash like the QOS theme anywhere near him. I half-remember an interview he gave a while back (around the time of Tomorrow Never Dies, I think, a truly dismal Bond film) where he said that he had been asked to do another Bond score, but wasn't going to be allowed to write the theme. On that basis, he declined. And just look at the themes we've had since.
And thanks for the info there Tintab - I didn't know about Barry's views on the newer Bonds, but judging by the films he scored in recent years, that sounds about right - he did seem to have moved into a more reflective period with his work. -
was his best score, you felt for D'abo.
Truly emotive work!
RIP -
...the fuck is wrong with you ginger?
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Boo! :( I second all the comments about the Black Hole here, and several other films he did. The next twenty years will see the end of all the old filmscore greats.
B -
His was truly a distinct voice in film music. He has been, and will continue to be a great influence to me as a composer.
Dances With Wolves
Somewhere In Time
Out of Africa
The Black Hole
King Kong
The James Bond films
...and so many more. You've done great work sir, and I solute you. Thank you so much and rest in peace. -
High Road to China, Somewhere in Time...they don't compose soundtracks or make movies like these anymore. Barry's music has been with me throughout my life and today the world seems a little lonelier.
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Is may all-time favorite John Barry score. It's a great jazz record and tribute to Chet Baker from a terrible movie.
Also, O.H.M.S.S. is the best Bond score. Ever.
RIP JOHN -
I love every Barry score and agree with many here that he'll always, deservedly, be remembered for Bond. I remember my dad taking me to a Connery double feature when i was a kid and not getting half of it, but the music and action just completely grabbing me. But the score that sticks with me is Walkabout. With Somewhere in Time he elevated an otherwise clunky love story into something more - and with Walkabout, his similarly lush score worked in almost an opposite direction: taking an arty, unearthly travelogue and bringing it back down to earth, to the emotions of the 2 kids wandering the outback. I remember them lost for awhile with just dialogue and silence and then suddenly his theme kicks in and the film takes on a whole new personality. Then at the end, when Jenny Agutter flashes back to her uncomplicated, lovely time there with just her brother and the aborigine, and the music swells... it still gets me just thinking about it.
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People always consider the 1976 version of King Kong to be a failure. It wasn't. It was actually a hit at the box office. But because some hate the film and I guess compared to the 1933 version it's definately not as classic, but it's still a very good film in my opinion, many think it flopped. I was obsessed with it as a child to the point that after seeing it I had to have the soundtrack so I saved up my allowance, sold empty soda pop bottles (kids today have no idea what that's about probably) and walked several miles to the closest mall which for a fat kid was quite the trek and I purchased John Barry's King Kong soundtrack on cassette. I spent many hours listening to it relieving the film as in those days we didn't have VHS, DVD or anything like that. My favorite track the film is actually Kong Hits the Big Apple. Thanks John Barry for a great score and great memories. RIP
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Shall always be of this magnificent artist's work.
Thank you Mr. Barry -
While some may not care for the film itself, few can argue against the merits of Barry's score. Easily one of my favorites. Something about the melodies puts me in a place of zen calm. RIP Mr. Barry.
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....for my vinyl records preservation project.
http://jeditray.blogspot.com/
I was really hoping The Black Hole would get a proper release before Mr. Barry's passing. Even at 77, I still feel he was taken way too soon. That man's work has been a major part of the soundtrack of my life. It will continue to be as well. God Bless you, Mr. Barry. -
crap :(
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It's the one that seems magical and emotional to me. Because of the intermittent real location shooting, because of the wooden theme design of the wall, because of the emotive Kong, and the mood, and the score, and the acting.
I mean what Kong version has as strong a scene as when he is held down in that oil tanker, and he catches the girl and then actually lets her just walk away because he is depressed.
And then the ending is so incredible, the hero is screaming trying to reach her, but she is surrounded by paparazzi and is trapped, finally famous, and our hero just slowly gives up trying to get to her with a horrified look. So good.
Oh yeah I had the soundtrack on vinyl, and now the CD, and the French blu-ray.
The oil theme/satire was great and fitting.
I also love the Donna Summer/John Barry disco song for The Deep. -
Don't be an elitist jackass and hate on Dino. Your buddy, Peter Jackson borrowed a few more thematic elements from that version than he cares to admit. The '05 Ann/Kong dynamic is much closer to the Dwan/Kong than it is to the '33 version, with Ann screaming her fool head off from beginning to end. John Barry's score is the Kong score I listen to the most. It's too bad Film Score Monthly couldn't get permission to do an expanded edition.
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i swear i was thinking about him the other day, i will never forget his music, some for the most powerful music ever composed. i will sorely miss his work.
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Feb 01, 2011 12:43:58 AM CST
Barry's score for Somewhere in Time is absolutely lovely
by the krypton kid
Rest well in the hereafter, good sir.
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He was a great composer, especially loved his Bond soundtracks...
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He might just be my favorite film composer of all time... all due respect to John Williams, Basil Poledouris (the late great) and James Horner who are also tremendous. I think Randy Edelman is great, too. But John Barry's work is so hauntingly beautiful, even from his lesser know work on films like "High Road To China", "Somewhere In Time", "Hanover Street" and "Inside Moves." The list goes on, but you get the point. He was easily one of the top 5 people most responsible for evoking emotion with film music.
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Cinema will forever feel your lack.
In recent years I've yearned for that lush melancholic romantism of John Barry, holding out hope he would step out of retirement just once and grace us with his majestic music one more time. Alas it was not to be, but I'll always treasure the abundance of riches Meastro Barry left us in his wake of brillance.
There will never be another John Barry. -
John Barry was reponsable for most of the Bond music I heard when I grew up, It helped shape my character and many in the UK inspired by Bond, But his best may be THE BLACK HOLE. The fantastic score is sweeping and dramatic and aids the film wich is underated but still a fantastic movie.
Of course I wont say his bond work is poor in fact when I heard the news of him passing I played 007 on my phone in honor of one of the best composers of the last 50 years.
RIP John Barry! -
Barry's magnificent score was the only saving grace of the lame adaptation of Cussler's excellent novel.
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..did you just quote nathan barley?? didn't see that coming.
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OHMSS is the best Bond soundtrack. I remember "We have all the time in the world" as the first song I ever fell in love with as a kid.
Don't forget songs like "Try" and "Do you know how Christmas trees are grown", both brilliant songs from OHMSS.
Goldfinger, Diamonds are forever, to many to count. Midnight Cowboy, Elenor's Arrival from The Lion and Winter. etc.
RIP John Barry -
Not only a great soundtrack, a great jazz album.
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First Michael Kamen, then Jerry Goldsmith, now John fucking Barry?!?
Damn you death!
What next, John Williams??
*knocks on wood*
Seriously though... Bond, Born Free, Out of Africa, Dances With Wolves. And his vastly underrated/under-appreciated work on The Black Hole and Howard the Duck. Dude was fucking AWESOME.
A true legend. -
Stay away from John Williams, James Newton Howard, James Horner, Hans Zimmer, Elliot Goldenthal, and James Peterson...
Feel free to take Danny Elfman, however.
;-) -
Thomas Newman, Trevor Jones, Alan Silvestri, and Michael Giacchino while you're at it.
Fucker. -
John Barry
John Williams
Jerry Goldsmith
Bernard Herrmann
Ennio Morricone
These 5 in any order is the correct answer. -
I just got hold of The Black Hole recently - havnt seen it since i was a nipper - feel like watching it tonight now. He'll aways be remebered for the bond movies though as a kid. Come to think of it Bond Movies and classic hitchcock reruns you'd catch in the afternoon if you were ever in bed with a sickie, were probably the first indications to a young person growing up of just how important or effective music is in Cinema.- you felt always felt just as consciously aware of the sound as images...not quite like Disney Movies, not quite like No Country for Old Men maybe...but Disney films were often designated 'musicals' anyway & personally im very glad i didnt watch No Country before the age of 14 or whatever, it was bad enough processing the end of Young Guns 2!
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I don't think any true movie geek can know this news without a deep feel of sadness toward the departure of this great composer. His work is the stuff of legend.
My deepest sympathies and condolescences to all his family, friends and fans.
The only story i have to share about John Barry is one told by Ridley Scott in THE DUELESTS DVD. That movie's DVD also features as an extra the first short film directed by Scott called A BOY AND HIS BICYCLE. The score for that short was composed by John Barry, and he did it for free because he liked the movie so much and wanted to give an hand in helping an aspiring young filmmaker.
So, John Barry helped the career of Ridley Scott in it's early days, here it counts the most.
Such a gentlemanly thing John Barry did.
John Barry, sadly missed. This is truly sad news.
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And perhaps the best ending out of all the 007 films.(before and after)God Bless John and rest in peace.
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is playing on my iPod here at work. I had to log in one more time to emphasize how great this soundtrack is. A friend hadn't seen the film since it came out. I played Buffalo Hunt and the memories came right back.
The love theme, the John Dunbar theme...all great.
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Feb 01, 2011 5:46:29 PM CST
Listen to "Durant is Dead" from the Black Hole OST on youtube
by misterdarcy
Simple, but bloody brilliant.
I love really effective "the clock is now ticking" pieces. Barry was superb at crafting them. -
Are multiple people here on crack?
It's "ON Her Majesty's Secret Service".
I'm just off to watch a double bill of "From The Waterfront" and "From Golden Pond". -
Like Harry, I was absolutely obsessed with the work John did on Kong, so much so that I used it on my own version as a kid, once featured on this very site: www.aintitcool.com/node/46246 RIP John, you were the best!
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One of my favourite composers of all time. He has a distinctive sound no one else could copy and made the Bond sound his.
RIP and condolences to his family. He wrote quite a lot of the soundtrack of my life.
I can't even pick a favourite, because he's written so many great soundtracks. Talk about one heck of a great composer! -
JB was one of a kind. We'll not see his like again. Hopefully he'll be honoured now by the various awards ceremonies and with some specials on global TV. The press coverage so far has been very heartening and moving. This has been such a sad week, but it's great to see everyone coming together here with tributes. Barry has been my 'hero' for 40 years. May he rest in peace.
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