In the UK it's 0035 3rd November 2013. Today would have been John Barry's 80th birthday. Sad that John didn't live to see today but what a great life and career. He'll always be one of the greats of the film and music industries and is much missed by both.
Here's a source cue from The Chase with an appropriate title.
This is very sad and glorious day at same time. It's very sad, that Maestro is not among us and can't see and listen all recent CDs with his music. But also it's glorious day - I don't know how others started their way in this "business", but I'm proud, that my love to film music started with Maestro Barry music!
Sat at my mother-in-laws some years ago, she had Out of Africa on it's first UK tv broadcast. I hadn't taken much notice of the release, other than I knew Meryl Streep was in it.
Then my ears pricked up at this amazing music and of course I knew who it was straight away. Couldn't tear my ears away from it. Couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. Those strings couldn't be anyone else's.
One of the first single records given to me as a little kid to get me started by my uncle was his James Bond Theme by John Barry Seven on the Columbia label. Still have that as well as The Persuaders, one of the first singles I ever bought, with Girl With the Sun in Her Hair on the b side.
Sat at my mother-in-laws some years ago, she had Out of Africa on it's first UK tv broadcast. I hadn't taken much notice of the release, other than I knew Meryl Streep was in it.
Then my ears pricked up at this amazing music and of course I knew who it was straight away. Couldn't tear my ears away from it. Couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. Those strings couldn't be anyone else's.
Yes, before I was truly into film music I heard a small store owner in S. Cal playing "Out Of Africa" and it totally blew me away... the power, beauty and majesty of those gorgeous strings and horns. Thanks John!
I'd never known this song existed. Peter, thank you so much for this.
One question, though.
Is there, anywhere, a current list of all (or, more probably, most) the songs Barry composed? Like many of his fans, I'd like to get copies of them all.
I checked out johnbarry.org.uk, but couldn't see anything there. There's also this one:
EDIT: Removed a question about the lyricist. After checking Corina's site (which I should have done FIRST) I see that the lyrics came from Barry's longtime songwriting partner Don Black. No wonder they're so good.
