AMERICANS

Label: Universal 1580336
Date: 1975
Tracks: 10
Time = 46:38

CD from France

In 1975, legendary British film composer John Barry heads to U.S. to score ELEANOR AND FRANKLIN. His visit to America becomes permanent. In November of that year, Barry records his first all-original orchestral album (as opposed to film music, pop arrangements, other recordings). Inspiration of new home guides composer, who then crafts lengthy "Yesternight Suite" as free-flowing work of various sights, sounds of U.S. Numerous solo colors from sax, trombone abound, as well as rich melodies from full compliment of strings. Moods range from jazz to symphonic. Snippets of "As Time Goes By", "By Myself" make brief gesture to standards but original music in contrasting mood remains name of the game. It's a fabulous glimpse into the creative mind of a musical genius! Other movements include musical images of big city architecture ("Speaking Mirrors"), cruising in Los Angeles ("Strip Drive"), a stroll through Manhattan ("Downtown Walker"). Universal CD presents complete 1975 Polydor album in stereo, then adds four film/TV compositions from later Barry/Polydor LP compilations. John Barry conducts this evocative, jazz-flavored knockout!

1. Yesternight Suite (17:49) 2. Downtown Walker (4:27) 3. Scorpio (3:01) 4. Social Swing (4:08) 5. Strip Drive (3:19) 6. Speaking Mirrors (2:35)

Bonus tracks: Four titles from John Barry's Polydor years 7. Orson Welles' Great Mysteries (2:16) 8. Sail the Summer Winds – Main Title from The Dove (3:40) 9. Follow, Follow – Main Title from Follow Me (2:31) 10. The Adventurer (2:08)