Themeology: The Best of John Barry

If you are of a certain age this will take you straight back to both the cinema and TV of the 60's/70's, great obscurities underpinned by a solid James Bond 'set' of course.

As a seven-year-old boy in 1972, I loved `The Persuaders' and its theme must have been one of the first singles I ever bought. And I was soon hooked too on the music from the Bond movies. So, this CD is a piece of nostalgia for me.In time, they run from 1960 hits `Walk Don't Run' (sounding like The Shadows), `Beat for Beatniks', and `Hit & Miss', through to the `John Dunbar Theme' from the 1990 film `Dances with Wolves'. But all but four of the tracks are from the 1960s. And we also have here the sung performances of Shirley Bassey (`Goldfinger', `Diamonds Are Forever') and Matt Monro (`From Russia with Love', `Born Free').The original `James Bond Theme' is here, which, although it was composed by Monty Norman, was arranged by Barry and has become the signature of the Bond series. The original version on this CD is arguably the best. It certainly sounds like the original, for the sound of many of the tracks on this CD is often not brilliant. They are unremastered, but those occasional crackles heard in, say `The Ipcress File' or `You Only Live Twice' only add to the atmosphere.There are a wide range of styles here. As well as the `pop' element of the 1960 hits already referred to, there is the jazz-inflected `The Knack', the full orchestral tour-de-force of some Bond movies, and Barry's signature use of the haunting cimbalom. Pop hits, TV themes, film themes, and even piece that was later used for a commercial (`The Girl with the Sun in Her Hair') predominate.But what's missing from this supposed `best of' collection? Well, in my opinion, there are the themes to `The Deep' and `Moonraker', as well as the latter's `Flight into Space', which demonstrates Barry's predilection for the grand low brass adagios of the composer Anton Bruckner. Indeed, it is the continuation of the styles of Bruckner and Gustav Mahler into a twentieth-century context that perhaps has made Barry so successful, given the influence of both of these composers on the musical styles of film composers in the early years of the cinema, especially of those who escaped the central Europe of the 1930s and moved to Hollywood.Is this CD "The Best of John Barry"? Well, maybe, but as Jonathan Ross writes on the sleevenotes, "you can't beat a bit of Barry".

Great CD with many great tracks from the legend that is John Barry

Have always admired the music of John Barry and particularly his music for 'Out of Africa' and 'Dances with Wolves' so it was nice to hear some of his earlier work prior to the 'James Bond' music.Like another reviewer was a little disappointed with the 'John Dunbar' version included however for the price of a used CD am very happy.

Was just disappointed with john Dunbar theme,very short and not longer version from film.other themes were fine.thats why I gave 4 stars.

Great mix of 60's /70's hits s showing off the great span of Barrys musical output - soaring martial music to softer tender themes.

The CD is very good value for money and the selection is good. However, I purchased the CD mainly for Out of Africa and The John Dunbar Theme and whilst Out of Africa plays fine The John Dunbar Theme is virtually silent unless one turns up the volume by a large amount. I know its not meant to be as loud or dynamic as Goldfinger but I think someone got this wrong!

I've always been a bit worried about buying Jogn Barry collections - more often than not they can turn out to be dodgy versions from an obscure orchestra. Why anyone would want to have an orchestral version of 'The Persuaders' theme, I don't know. Anyway, rest assured that this collection of Barry classics is the real deal. All the tracks are the originals and sound excellent - some other collections have been noted for the bad reproduction of the original tracks. Enjoy!