John Barry Seven • Hits Misses Beat Girls & 007s CD
Long before he became one of the world's most celebrated film composers, John Barry was leading one of Britain's finest instrumental Rock 'n' Roll bands. The John Barry Seven blended Rock 'n' Roll, Jazz, skiffle and big band influences into a crisp, unmistakably British sound that became a fixture of television, radio and the UK singles chart during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Alongside Barry's stylish trumpet playing, the band's secret weapon was guitarist Vic Flick, whose distinctive twanging tone would soon become instantly recognisable around the world.
Hits Misses Beat Girls & 007s gathers the very best of the John Barry Seven's Parlophone and Columbia recordings from 1957 to 1962. The collection includes all of their chart successes, including Hit And Miss, Beat For Beatniks, Never Let Go, Blueberry Hill, Walk Don't Run, Black Stockings, The Magnificent Seven, Cutty Sark and, of course, the iconic James Bond Theme. Rounding out the set are fascinating rarities including Saturday's Child and Rocco's Theme, originally issued under the pseudonym Michael Angelo & His Orchestra.
These recordings capture British instrumental music at a pivotal moment, when American Rock 'n' Roll was meeting home-grown musical ambition. The John Barry Seven could switch effortlessly from driving guitar instrumentals to dramatic soundtrack themes, foreshadowing the cinematic style that would make Barry one of Britain's greatest composers.
Expertly remastered and packed with chart hits, film themes and sought-after rarities, this superb anthology is essential listening for fans of instrumental Rock 'n' Roll, early British Pop and classic film music.
