The fourth thing that came to mind when I heard of John Barry's passing yesterday was not about producing yet another tribute melding biographical data with a lack of insight into his creativity like most journalists are apt to, but instead indulge my appreciation of the underdog with a piece from his score to Walt Disney's The Black Hole
I loathed the movie as a kid, but the sweep and Hollywood splendour of its score could not fail to connect; it made this little boy wish to be nothing more than the hero of his own adventure. Like many of my semi-regular readers, I imagine, my populist side gleefully devoured his deathless work for the James Bond 007 film series. Perhaps unlike some of you, my hipster side delights in the aureate pomp of The Black Hole's main theme in sampled form on The Beta Band's self titled debut
Basically, thank you, John. I hope that whomever scores the remake to The Black Hole can keep up. It would make up for some of the work by David Arnold
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2 comments:
Something I failed to mention in my own blog was my admiration for his score for Follow Me, a rather obscure Carol Reed film from 1972. I've only seen bits of it on youtube, but it captures London at an interesting time--nearing the end of its Mod reign. The music is of course, beautiful and haunting, much like everything Barry ever composed.
The Black Hole boasted some cool action figures, and the music is like Moonraker's depressed brother, but I do love it so.
Very cogent thoughts. I also liked what you wrote in your own column: "I'm amzed at how many self-proclaimed "movie buffs" disregard the music in a film. If it works, it helps to create a masterpiece. If it fails, then that's usually the only time anyone notices it!"
I've been voraciously listening to Daft Punk's score for Tron: Legacy of late (that film's director, Joseph Kosinski, is slated to direct The Black Hole's remake) and as familiar as it may be in parts, it definitely enhanced the film in the way that all good scores should
Speaking of Mod, I'm awaiting some playful Holiday & Brown print shirts in the post. Hopefully, there will be photographs
All best,
B
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