John Barry killer instinct composer of cinema master in music

John Barry is best known for his musical contributions in film such as View to a Kill, the collaborative effort with British pop band, Duran Duran. No doubt, his role in the James Bond theme lends to his earlier days of the John Barry Seven and sounds of 50’s surf and turf. Certainly, he’ll always be remembered for the brilliantly chilling and melancholy theme of Midnight Cowboy, the beautiful story about friendship despite grim truths. Barry’s work has compiled of seemingly endless scores each worthy of their own descriptive appreciation. The truth is simply he is a legend and his greatness had small beginnings.

Influenced by his mother’s concentration in composing music and his father’s vocation in owning theaters lends the compassion that he married his parent’s interests into his own. It happens. Personally, Dad (the one with the cigar) Santiago Gonzalez was a musician/writer turned television actor before he passed in the 70’s and Mom could do anything which was required of her. Retired, she still works a 9 to 5 to date. Pursuing screenwriting, most recently preparing for the 2010 Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, in addition to writing daily for the SF Examiner is the appropriate combination at present.

The one true commonality that can be seen in John Barry’s style which has not been expressed or articulated in research is his ability to evoke a very masculine persona. In all the films, especially the ones which garnished accolades are experiences that are deeply rooted in the male psyche. For better or worse, the male voice in cinema certainly at some points gets lost in the technology and craft. Ironic and perhaps silly as it seems, the human experience really has to struggle to be heard through all the muck and excitement of shiny new film toys.