|
Classic release
of the full score from the Harry Palmer debut.
Jenna Bachelor
When James Bond
became an overnight success the quest was on for more spy stars.
Michael Caine's
Harry Palmer became an unlikely sex symbol in The Ipcress File.
His popularity
was probably down to the music which accompanied the film as well
as Palmer's down-at-heel spy persona.
It's perhaps
no coincidence that the man behind the James Bond scores should
write the music to Ipcress.
John Barry's
theme is immediately recognisable, latching onto the brain rather
like Roy Budd's train trundling score to Get Carter.
This Silva Screen
release not only has Barry's impressive music but dialogue from
the film.
It's a technique
used increasingly on soundtracks but it really adds to proceedings,
helping create a mood which only intensifies that brought about
by the score itself.
You do get a
lot of variations on a theme with Ipcress File, but because the
movie dates from the 60s, it means loads of swinging styles - Austin
Powers take note.
The glory of
Barry is how he can create a mood with minimum fuss.
Thus Meeting
With Grantby and Fight takes us to the seedy underworld and impending
danger using only a piano and haunting brass.
Compare that
with Jazz Along Alone (it does as it says on the tin - a jazz version
of the Ipcress theme) and this really is an album of contrasts.
There's a good
booklet to accompany the CD, with photos and notes about the film.
All in all a
worthy addition to the John Barry canon.
The Ipcress
File is released on FILMCD 605.
|
