John Barry news archives.
On The Beat 21/03/2009: Spencer Leigh talks to Vic Flick, guitarist with the John Barry Seven
Spencer Leigh talks to Vic Flick, guitarist with the John Barry Seven. BBC iPlayer. Good stuff from Vic, as you would expect. It's not all about JB (though mostly) but definitely worth a listen.Fast forward about one hour 25 minutes to get to Vic's interview. A number of Adam Faith tracks are included.
Arguably the most sought after, never-before-released, score by John Barry! Without question it is one of the greats … by one of the greats! Hanover Street (1979) is finally available! A 30th anniversary rescue! Believe it!
An epic love story set during the London Blitz of WWII … this is prime Barry from the time of The Black Hole (1979), Moonraker (1979), Somewhere In Time (1980) and Raise The Titanic (1980).
War-torn Europe is the setting for this Peter Hyams-directed romantic action/adventure from Columbia Pictures about the fateful entanglements of two men in love with the same woman. Lt. David Halloran (Harrison Ford), a courageous American bomber pilot, and a British nurse (Lesley-Anne Down) accidentally meet during an air raid and fall instantly in love. Committed to an assignment, David asks her to meet him two weeks later in spite of the fact that she is married. And she does. Her husband, Paul Sellinger (Christopher Plummer), is a British intelligence officer in charge of a special, dangerous mission behind enemy lines. As fate would have it, Halloran is chosen to fly Sellinger on the task. When their plane is shot down, the two must work together to complete the mission - and it is only then that Halloran discovers who Sellinger is.
John Barry’s complete score has been painstakingly restored, filling the CD to capacity! Over 60 minutes of music in glorious stereo plus four bonus cues taken from the sole surviving mono source … this release of Hanover Street has been nothing short of an epic production unto itself. It’s a score that has been held as a holy grail by many since the day they first heard it! This very special release, which launches a very special year for the Varèse Sarabande CD Club, is for them and for all fans of lush, unabashedly romantic, film music!
1. Main Title (3:44)
2. David Meets Margaret (1:31)
3. The Bombing (3:15)
4. On Hanover Street (3:25)
5. Making Love (2:08)
6. Home Life (1:37)
7. Countryside And Courtship (1:57)
8. Christmas Eve (1:45)
9. Trying To Forget (3:20)
10. Message From Paul (1:30)
11. Change Of Plans (1:33)
12. Direct Hit (1:59)
13. Bail Out Over France (3:08)
14. Gestapo Headquarters (2:07)
15. Cover Blown (6:03)
16. A Resourceful Man (2:47)
17. Motorcycle Chase And Bridge Battle (4:14)
18. Finale (3:56)
19. End Credits (2:37)
Bonus Tracks:
20. Chatanooga Choo-Choo (Source) (2:45)
21. Little Brown Jug (Source) (3:26)
22. Finale (Alternate) (3:58)
23. Gestapo Headquarters (Revised - mono) (2:07)
24. Cover Blown (Revised - mono) (6:01)
25. Motorcycle Chase And Bridge Battle (Revised - mono) (4:24)
26. Finale (Revised - mono) (3:48)
John Barry is to make a personal appearance at a screening of Midnight Cowboy, which is "going to be shown March 16th in Manhattan as part of the Academy's "Monday Nights With Oscar" series.
Afterwards there will be a discussion featuring producer Jerome Hellman, composer John Barry (veteran of countless Bond films), and actor Bob Balaban (who made his movie debut as the kid who picks up Voight in a grindhouse)..."
UNTIL SEPTEMBER
Label: Intrada Special Collection Volume 90
Date: 1984
Tracks: 16
Time = 35:53
Another treat for John Barry fans! World premiere of complete original soundtrack from Richard Marquand romantic drama with Karen Allen, Thierry Lhermitte.
Though film requires relatively brief score, Barry takes cue from beautiful Paris setting, gives signature melodic style center stage. Warm romantic music is result.
Dramatic content in movie allows room for more serious ideas but gorgeous melody remains keynote throughout.
Intrada has access to original 1/2" three-track stereo session masters stored in MGM vaults, presents CD with all tracks from Varese Sarabande LP plus previously unreleased music & sequences everything in chronological order for first time as well. John Barry conducts.
Special Collection release limited to 1200 copies!
SOLD OUT!
01. Main Title – Until September 1:17 |
09. “It’s Love” 0:57 |
TALK TIME: Dana Kaproff and The Golden Seal
Update April 2015: link is gone.
Label: Intrada Special Collection Volume 89
Date: 1983
Tracks: 21
Time = 61:59
Treat for John Barry fans! World premiere release of complete original soundtrack Barry scored with co-composer Dana Kaproff for Frank Zuniga adventure about family living in Aleutian islands, starring Steve Railsback, Michael Beck. Barry supplied several impressive cues, Kaproff worked with those themes plus created several ideas of his own. Results are coherent, beautiful, exciting music! Main theme is warm, other ideas range from pastorale to dramatic. Barry's "The Frolic" is outstanding sequence melding both warm theme for strings with dynamic, regal splendor for brass. Intrada newly masters entire CD from actual 1/2" 3-track stereo session masters vaulted at MGM in mint condition, includes all original LP contents plus several previously unreleased cues. Amongst new highlights is Barry's lengthy, dramatic "Broken Promise". CD also has original End Title song "Letting Go" by John Barry & Don Black, sung by Glen Campbell plus both LP version of Main Title (with water & bird effects), premiere of newly remixed version without effects. Complete breakdown of each composer's work plus informative notes by Jeff Bond complete generous package. John Barry supervises, Dana Kaproff conducts. Intrada Special Collection release limited to 2000 copies!
01. Main Title 2:17 |
15. Close Call 2:14 |
This might only apply to those in Ireland / UK, but you never know ....
The Irish radio station RTÉ Lyric FM schedules two film music-related programmes every week. On Sundays, between 4.30 and 6.30 p.m. (UK time) and on Mondays between 7 and 8 p.m. They also commission occasional film music concerts.
Host Aedín Gormley appears very knowledgeable on the subject of films and music, and is an excellent presenter. I recommend giving it a try, especially tomorrow when she is giving away two copies of John Barry: The Man with the Midas Touch as prizes.
It's available via radio in Ireland, via various TV cable and satellite providers in the UK and on-line anywhere in the world - I think. Go to http://www.rte.ie/lyricfm/movies/ and test the listen live link if you live outside Ireland.
Prometheus are releasing "ROBIN AND MARIAN (COMPLETE SCORE)"
Robin Hood, aging none too gracefully, returns exhausted from the Crusades to woo and win Maid Marian one last time. Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Shaw. Directed by Richard Lester. 1976.
3000 EDITION.
Music Composed, Conducted by John Barry
Performed by The Hollywood Studio Orchestra
All tracks mono
1. MAIN TITLE (Film Version) / LEADING IN 2:48
2. RIDE TO SHERWOOD (Version #2) 2:10
3. FIGHT AND RECOGNITION / MARIAN AND ROBIN MEET / HE WAS MY KING 3:05
4. DAWN IN SHERWOOD 2:22
5. RIDE TO NOTTINGHAM 1:26
6. OVER THE WALL (Original Version) 2:05
7. THE ESCAPE (Original Version) 2:02
8. NUNS 2:01
9. FIRST LOVE THEME - BY THE STREAM 1:22
10. SECOND LOVE THEME 2:53
11. IN THE CHURCH / TROOPS MAKE CAMP 2:11
12. IN POSITION 2:20
13. THIRD LOVE THEME - DO YOU LOVE ME? 2:16
14. THE PREPARATION 2:28
15. THE FIGHT / THE FIGHT MUST GO ON 4:15
16. JOHN BURSTS IN / THE END / END TITLES 4:34
Bonus tracks
17. MAIN TITLE (Alternate Version) / LEADING IN (Alternate Version) 2:52
18. RIDE TO SHERWOOD (Alternate Version ) 2:10
19. END TITLE (Alternate Version-Orchestra Mix) 1:47
Total Time: 47:56
"John Barry - The Man With the Midas Touch" is now available. Order now! Please visit this page The book is also available from high street bookshops and the usual online (film-music) stores.
Reviews, discussions and articles about the book:
- November 2008: amazon.co.uk book page- November 2008: Bristol Books and Publishers
- November 2008: Redcliffepress
- December 21, 2008: Filmscoremonthly.com , discussion forum.
- December 26, 2008: Quinton author's labour of love , "For Quinton author Pete Walker completing his “labour of love” took more than two decades."
- January 16, 2009: Record Collector " top marks all round to everyone involved for getting it so right."
- January 17, 2009: This Is Derbyshire. Interview with Gareth Bramley.
- November 5, 2009: Ain't It Cool "Perhaps one of the most comprehensive and interesting composer biography to hit the shelves in recent memory is JOHN BARRY: THE MAN WITH THE MIDAS TOUCH written by Geoff Leonard, Pete Walker, and Gareth Bramley (you know with three authors it has to be good!). "
The South Bank Show
On: ITV1 (103)
Date: Wednesday 22nd October 2008 (starting in 8 days)
Time: 22:40 to 23:40 (1 hour long)
Bond - Bond.
The world of James Bond is examined in an exclusive profile of one of the most enduring icons of popular culture. This programme looks at the unrivalled impact of Bond, examines the longevity, success and impact of the character, and investigates the creative and artistic aspects particular to the Bond brand. Melvyn Bragg interviews the first James Bond, Sir Sean Connery, and goes behind-the-scenes on the set of the new film Quantum of Solace where he speaks to the current James Bond, actor Daniel Craig, as well as various other members of the cast and crew.
A workshop of "Billy" took place in early October, apparently with a view to a possible regional tour / West End production.
The cast was:
Lee Mead - Billy Fisher
Denise Welch - Mrs Fisher
Tim Healey - Mr. Fisher
Stephen Matthews - Stamp
Stephen Tate - Shadrack
Sarah Lark - Rita
Georgina Rich - Liz
Kathryn Rooney - Barbara
Directed by Paul Kerryson
Produced by Kenny Wax
Don Black and the writers were apparently in attendance.
Paul Kerryson is the artistic director of the new Leicester Curve Theatre and does do musicals. Kenny Wax is a general manager/producer for a number of shows, usually in collaboration with other, bigger production companies.
If it happens, they might use Leicester as the out-of-town try-out and see how it goes down, then tour it if they think it'll work.
The outstanding lyric-writing of Don Black was celebrated on Sunday 17th August at the London Palladium. A BBC Radio 2 presentation, hosted by Sir Michael Parkinson, the star-studded cast included: David Arnold, Jonathan Ansell, Gary Barlow, Elkie Brooks, Craig David, Maria Friedman, Raza Jaffrey, Joe Longthorne, Lee Mead, Ryan Molloy (Jersey Boys) Mica Paris, Matt Rawle, Marti Webb, Hayley Westenra and Michel LeGrand. Musical director Mike Dixon, conducted the seventy-piece Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a tribute that included: 'Born Free', 'Thunderball', 'To Sir With Love', 'Diamonds Are Forever', 'On Days Like These', 'Ben', 'Sam', 'Love Changes Everything', and many more.
There was also a special appearance by Don Black himself and a world premiere of songs from Don's new musical, written with Michel Le Grand, 'The Count Of Monte Cristo'.
Fortunately, the concert was recorded and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 22nd August at 7.30 p.m. BST. It's likely that the programme will be available afterwards, for 7 days, as part of BBC's "listen-again" facility. We cannot guarantee, however, that it will be available to those not living in the UK.
Vic Flick, Guitarman (Paperback - 192 pages) by Vic Flick
The John Barry Seven only existed for about eight years, and in truth was only really successful for around half of that time.
Yet all four of the men who led the band during its relatively short existence have now written or had biographies written about them.
John Barry was the first, followed by drummer Bobby Graham, trumpeter Alan Bown and now guitarist Vic Flick becomes the fourth.
His is a fascinating book concerning the life and career of a man who always wanted to make his living through playing the guitar.
By no means a household name on either side of the Atlantic, we learn how Flick nevertheless became the leader of the incomparable John Barry Seven and eventually the man to turn to for those crucial studio recordings.
Available now direct from
the publishers, Bearmanor Media
or from Amazon.com
SOUND COPYRIGHT: THE EU POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO MUSIC LOVERS
It seems that politicians always think they know better than experts. The Irish EU Commissioner, supposedly charged with guarding Europe's musical heritage, is proposing changes that could well have the opposite effect.
Despite two exhaustive studies which have come down firmly against extending the present 50 year term for sound copyright, the EU wants to raise it to 95 years.
Consider the following scenario: a major record company issues a recording which does not sell very well, so it is deleted from the catalogue after five years. Another record company could ask for permission to license the recording for reissue, but it would involve significant payments in fees which would force a high charge to be made for the CD, and possibly render the whole exercise uneconomic. Fifty years after the original recording was released any record company could reissue the music without having to pay a fee, thereby reducing the cost of production, although royalties would still have to be paid to the composers and lyricists. This is the current situation, and it has resulted in a number of small record companies offering the public many interesting, but previously neglected, recordings of unique material which is no longer of any interest to the major record companies.
If the EU proposals become law, the same recording, deleted five years after the original release, could remain 'lost' to music lovers for a further 90 years. Not only would this greatly diminish the wide variety of recordings currently available, it would also deprive many composers of the opportunity to earn royalties on their music.
Surely it is possible to devise a fair scheme whereby the original recording companies retain the copyright so long as they make the recordings continually available to prospective record buyers. If they fail to keep the recordings in their catalogue, then it should fall into the public domain after a few years so that anyone else could release it if they wished. This would ensure that many fine recordings from the past would be available, rather than locked up in record company vaults for longer than the lifetime of most people on earth.
The main concern must surely be to increase the availability of music, to the general advantage of everyone – especially musicians. The fear is that the EU's proposals would have the opposite effect.
Most of the major record companies are part of giant international entertainment conglomerates controlled by accountants in the USA or Japan. Are these really the right people to be charged with the future of Europe's musical heritage?
The British Government has asked for the public's opinions. Please visit the following website and make your feelings known.
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/press/press-release/press-release-2008/press-release-20080718.htm
If you need further evidence of the weakness of the European Union's proposals, you need look no further than the USA, where the term of sound copyright was increased in the late 1990s. It has resulted in hardly any releases of vintage recordings. American music lovers now look to Europe for recordings of their great artists from the first half of the last century.
If you wish to send an email, for example with content for the website, please contact Geoff Leonard:
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Geoff (owner) and Ruud (webmaster) have been running the John Barry website since June 18, 2001. This website is not endorsed by the composer's family. Use of copyrighted materials and logos are for promotional purposes only. All files on this website are for personal use only and cannot be bought or sold.
Please do not ask for permission to use John Barry music or photographs for your project -- it is not within our gift to grant this.
Geoff Leonard writes CD booklet notes, articles, and occasionally books, in partnership with Pete Walker. You can read more about this here: