Barry Schwartz, Edward A. Wasserman

On the CD «Odyssey,» Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell and Paul Lytton play several of Barry Guy¹s most beautiful compositions: «Harmos,» «Double Trouble,» and «Odyssey.» Barry Guy is a first class composer, even when we lose sight of this in face of his diverse work as an improvising bassist. In addition to works for contemporary orchestras and different chamber music ensembles (for example Kronos), he has written influential compositions for the London Jazz Composers Orchestra or the Barry Guy New Orchestra.

By combining his deft skills as a tunesmith, an uncanny knack for catchy melodies, and a romantically appealing lyrical sensibility, Barry Manilow created a commercial package so effective that it ensured phenomenal success as an entertainer throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s. This 1989 release finds Manilow in fine form, concentrating primarily on ballads swelling with dramatic arrangements (counting the number of ascending key changes from one end of the disc to the other is a fun game) and lyrics that concentrate on the trials and tribulations of relationships.

Barry Manilow - Barry Manilow
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 314 MB | Full Artwork: 40 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: BMG Ariola, Arista # 259 927 | Country/Year: Europe 1989
Genre: Rock, Pop | Style: Pop, Pop Rock, Ballad

By combining his deft skills as a tunesmith, an uncanny knack for catchy melodies, and a romantically appealing lyrical sensibility, Barry Manilow created a commercial package so effective that it ensured phenomenal success as an entertainer throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s. This 1989 release finds Manilow in fine form, concentrating primarily on ballads swelling with dramatic arrangements (counting the number of ascending key changes from one end of the disc to the other is a fun game) and lyrics that concentrate on the trials and tribulations of relationships…

In the late 1960s and early 70s, John Barry was at his creative peak, writing both his greatest Bond music for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the score for the Oscar-winning Midnight Cowboy within a few months of each other. As one decade melted into the next, Barry would provide a host of haunting, highly atmospheric scores: The Appointment, Deadfall, Mary Queen Of Scots, Follow Follow, with possibly his finest ever saved for Nicolas Roeg’s masterpiece Walkabout. He also found time to write the deathless theme for TV series The Persuaders.

Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, Hammett is the fictional story about a time in real-life writer Dashiell Hammett's ("The Maltese Falcoln") life. Directed by Wim Wenders, the 1920's era noir mystery contained an equally noir score by veteran composer John Barry. Fresh off of Body Heat and Somewhere in Time, Barry had no problem writing the jazzy score, which contains an interesting combination of slinky jazz numbers and ethnic Chinese cues. Beginning with the "Main Titles", which is performed by a single piano and clarinet, Barry immediately draws the listener in to this dark seductive world. The theme is simple and elegant, yet has an underlying sensuality about it. That sensuality is never fully realized in full orchestral form - except for a small moment in "The Wrap Up / Finale" - but it's still a very enjoyable theme.