Other (non-obvious) John Barry recommendations

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Comments

  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    I’m always a bit partial to The Tamarind Seed, even if the album gets a bit repetitive after a while. Some great themes there. And Deadfall is pretty stunning in places too.
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,418Quartermasters
    Currently listening to Barry's last soundtrack, Enigma. Haven't seen the film yet but I thought I would start with listening to this. It truly is beautiful, I like the maturity Barry reached in his later life. Very Sombre and meaningful.

    I like this score a lot, and I think Enigma is a pretty good film. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel as well.

    The melancholy main theme is quite beautiful, in a typical late-Barry way. There is also a really nice romantic theme for the Winslet-Scott relationship. One suspense cue in particular (The Train) always reminds me quite a bit of Barry's Bond scores of the 1980s.
  • BIG TAMBIG TAM Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
    I'd also recommend two from 1972: FOLLOW ME! & ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. Both feature charmingly playful scores by Barry. Like the films themselves, undervalued.
  • James SuzukiJames Suzuki New ZealandPosts: 2,406MI6 Agent
    I was enjoying the Enigma soundtrack so much that I decided to watch the film. I loved it. I think it was because it was the sort of understated, atmospheric drama film that only the British could make, less now than they used to.
    Best thing in the film was definitely the Barry soundtrack. The main theme is beautiful, Golrush, though I was trying to figure out the name of the Winslet Scott love theme which you liked.
    I think my favourite track was the car chase, which felt very much in the same vein as TLD.
    “The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
    -Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,449MI6 Agent
    Anyone mentioned the sultry Specialist score yet?
    The Persuaders theme is also a must listen for me. But I echo those who say everything should be listened to.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    Vaguely on topic, anyone in the UK who has Britbox: apparently 60s spy movie The Quiller Memorandum has been added, which features a lovely Barry score of course.
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Anyone mentioned the sultry Specialist score yet?

    Take a wild guess who.... ;%
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,449MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    Chriscoop wrote:
    Anyone mentioned the sultry Specialist score yet?

    Take a wild guess who.... ;%
    Ah I did wonder but I missed your continued post (the joys of AJB on smartphone) its a great score.
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Did you see the date on that post? Holy time lapse, Batman.
  • ChriscoopChriscoop Belize Posts: 10,449MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    Did you see the date on that post? Holy time lapse, Batman.
    Just a shame there's no new Barry to add to the list!
    It was either that.....or the priesthood
  • Golrush007Golrush007 South AfricaPosts: 3,418Quartermasters
    Golrush, though I was trying to figure out the name of the Winslet Scott love theme which you liked.

    The bit that I was thinking of is the first half of the cue entitled "Simply Wonderful/Finding Crib". I haven't listened to the score in a while, but as I recall it is a bit like a simplified version of the main theme. I also really like the police chase cue that you mentioned. Also, 'The Convoy' which I think is the longest cue on the soundtrack. It builds suspense nicely as it goes along.
  • James SuzukiJames Suzuki New ZealandPosts: 2,406MI6 Agent
    I just watched Somewhere in time, and I must say, that was a beautiful movie, heartwrenching at points, with an amazing John Barry score. The main theme alone is terrific. I read somewhere that Jane Seymour was good friends with Barry and asked him to score the movie
    “The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
    -Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
  • SpectreOfDefeatSpectreOfDefeat Posts: 404MI6 Agent
    Out of Barry's later non-Bond oeuvre, I'd recommend Mercury Rising. A fine score with some delicate woodwind passages reminiscent of Barry's score for AVTAK. The heavy suspense meanwhile brings back memories of Gumboldt's Safe in OHMSS...

    Unfortunately most of this score is not actually in the film, being replaced for long stretches by more generic Carter Burwell music. A bit of a shame...

    Does anyone else enjoy this excellent example of late-period Barry?

    "The spectre of defeat..."

  • silvertoesilvertoe Posts: 34MI6 Agent
    I just watched Somewhere in time, and I must say, that was a beautiful movie, heartwrenching at points, with an amazing John Barry score. The main theme alone is terrific. I read somewhere that Jane Seymour was good friends with Barry and asked him to score the movie
    I made a right dick of myself last time i watched this film, i actually started blubbing in front of my wife and son, a combination of great acting by seymour and Reeve combined with Barrys heart wrenching music just set me off. I would really like to watch the movie again but i dare not in case it happens again. I have the soundtrack cd and it is beautiful :x
    ive smelt that aftershave before and both times ive smelt a rat
  • silvertoesilvertoe Posts: 34MI6 Agent
    Some favourites of mine.......(main themes)
    Out of Africa
    Dances with wolves
    Raise the titanic
    The proposal
    The scarlet letter
    Somewhere in time
    The ipcress file
    Seance on a wet afternoon
    The wrong box
    ive smelt that aftershave before and both times ive smelt a rat
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    Some good choices there.
  • Stephen HStephen H Posts: 6MI6 Agent


    This is great! I'm very interested in exploring the John Barry catalogue, but I literally don't know where to start, so this sort of critique is just what I am after. Now that so many years have passed since your detailed overview was initially posted would you consider updating it?

  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff

    Hmm, tough question. It depends on whether you find the Nic Raine re-recordings to your taste (some don't - I will happily take them if the original is unavailable) and if you want to spend money (sometimes lots) on new editions of old scores that have extra music on them (again, sometimes this is good listening and sometimes it's just padding).

  • Stephen HStephen H Posts: 6MI6 Agent


    Thank you for this; if these are the only updated issues then your original posts are all I need!

  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent

    If you have Spotify I think this collection is rather decent; it's a Nic Raine re-recording joint but I think they're generally good versions and there's a very nice spread of music with some good choices.


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