John Barry – Stringbeat

John Barry – Stringbeat

Originally released in 1961, Stringbeat captures "John Barry" at a fascinating point in his early career, before he became one of the most celebrated film composers of all time. Working with the musicians associated with his early beat and jazz recordings, Barry creates a distinctive blend of instrumental rock, jazz, orchestral pop and string-led arrangements, giving the album a stylish early-1960s British sound. The album was released on Columbia and features 15 tracks drawn from Barry's own compositions alongside carefully chosen covers.

The album opens with a distinctive instrumental interpretation of Paul Anka's It Doesn't Matter Anymore, followed by Barry originals including Sweet Talk, There's Life In The Old Boy Yet and the bluesy Like Waltz. Rodeo brings a western flavour to the collection, while Donna's Theme and Starfire demonstrate Barry's growing ability to combine memorable melodies with atmospheric instrumental arrangements. Starfire, written by "Jerry Lordan", is particularly notable for its use of the Clavioline and its connection to the innovative sound of the British instrumental scene of the period.

The second side continues the eclectic approach with Baubles, Bangles And Beads from Kismet, the dramatic Zapata, Rum-Dee-Dum-Dee-Dah and an instrumental version of Spanish Harlem. The album closes with Man From Madrid and The Challenge, rounding out a record that sits comfortably between British beat, jazz, pop orchestration and early-1960s instrumental music.

For collectors of vintage British jazz, instrumental rock and early John Barry recordings, Stringbeat offers an intriguing snapshot of the composer before his international film-scoring career fully took shape. Fans of Barry's later work on the James Bond films and classic cinema soundtracks will find plenty of interest here, particularly in the sophisticated arrangements and melodic instrumental style that would become hallmarks of his later work.

Tracklist

Side A

1. It Doesn't Matter Anymore
2. Sweet Talk
3. Moody River
4. There's Life In The Old Boy Yet
5. A Handful Of Songs
6. Like Waltz
7. Rodeo
8. Donna's Theme

Side B

1. Starfire
2. Baubles, Bangles And Beads (From "Kismet")
3. Zapata
4. Rum-Dee-Dum-Dee-Dah
5. Spanish Harlem
6. Man From Madrid
7. The Challenge