John Barry composed scores for some of my favourite movies, including; 11 Bonds, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, The Ipcress File, Zulu, Beat Girl and The Knack; not forgetting the catchiest TV theme EVER - The Persuaders. Next to Punk Rock, i guess he was the soundtrack to my youth.
He did jazz and swing and classical, sometimes all at once. And like Ennio Morricone he has a distinctive and instantly recognizable style; elegant and lush, with sweeping strings and soaring brass.
But his real genius was the ability to find the heart of a story and thereby add more depth, drama and emotional wallop - it was never just background music.
They'd be half the film without him.
Thank you, John.
