Hi David,

I've been a fan of JB's music for nearly 36 years (album: "The Best of Bond" purchased 13 Nov 70 - yes, I'm a "geek") - and in fact longer ... I just didn't know his name before then!

As a very subjective view and based upon media and general attention, I have to nominate the two following scores:

Overrated: Out of Africa - don't get me wrong, I think this is a wonderful score and I love the melodies. But I remember the hype at the time ("Oscar" winner, etc.) resulting in the theme being performed by every orchestra on every movie theme compilation. Excellent though it is, I think it pales against many of his other works which never get any air time, etc.

Underrated: Enigma - I feel this score (perhaps his last movie score?) has had some negative press and certainly brief conversations with the limited few people I know who like movie music or are "in the business" indicate that it is not rated highly. I love the score - particularly effective in the movie - and it stands up very well on its own. In this household (with 1,000+ CDs to choose from) it's never too long between plays. If it is his last movie score I'll be sorry that there are no more to come but happy that, for me at least, it was a first-rate production ... and not all composers are that fortunate.

Mitch, September 29, 2006; 6:20 AM

I find DANCES WITH WOLVES the most overrated one. I am convinced it would never have gotten near the Academy Award if the movie itself had not gotten nominated in so many categories. I don't mean that it is bad music, but as a standalone listen apart from the movie, I find the few pleasant moments in it buried among the action music. Maybe it's my general dislike for dissonance.

Among Barry's 1960's works, I often find QUILLER MEMORANDUM's score strangely underrated. I do know the CD is rare and gets high prices (though I guess not comparable to things like Towering Inferno or Young Sherlock Holmes), but on the other hand it gets little praise from Barry fans compared to other works from Barry's best period. Although I am aware the score is a *bit* repetitive to some, its main theme is one of Barry's strongest ever in my ears.

Regards,

Urs

P.S.: And now heading for your "Pawnee Attack" on myself...

handstand, September 29, 2006; 6:31 AM

Agree with Dances With Wolves as most overated..........

anthonynputson, September 29, 2006; 8:40 AM

Hello,

Thank you all for answering my post, I don't own enough John Barry scores to pick an underrated score, So I look forward to checking out some of your choices. As far as overrated I also have to say that I never understood the popularity of the "Dances With Wolves" score. I think it's a good score, But not a great one.

Best Regards,
David Phoenix, AZ.

deg63iami, September 29, 2006; 12:42 PM

Hey David,

Before I proceed, I'll affirm that John Barry is the (my) musical Zeus. Come back JB!!

I would agree that JB's most overrated score ( his only one on the American Film Institute's greatest movie score list) is Out Of Africa. It is lovely, and effective to the pic for sure, however out of his entire body of work, I found it curious that it this one that the AFI would choose. I have no doubt that Dances With Wolves is the absolutely greatest score of his entire career. I know and love JB's music well, and friends, Dances With Wolves is it. I've never seen a movie with a score so "organic" to the film itself.

As to an underrated score...I'd probably go with Raise The Titanic. I've recommended the Silva re-recording from a few years back to people, and they've told me after purchasing it, they almost passed out from the rapturous pleasure of the music! I told ya so!

Now, if only someone would finally release JB's score to The Deep on CD!

James, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

johnbarryisgod, September 29, 2006; 5:51 PM

Most overrated: Out of Africa.. most underrated (tie) Raise the Titanic and The Black Hole!!

Kim

emt8134, October 2, 2006; 4:04 PM

Most overrated: OUT OF AFRICA
Most underrated: too many to mention

Has the composer officially retired from film scoring, as I'm not aware of any scores since ENIGMA?

ajvin9, October 24, 2006; 1:15 AM