Rob Price
Gutbrain Records
rob + gutbrain.com = email

2023 July 31 • Monday

The 789th Soundtrack of the Week is John Barry's Chaplin.

Much of what distinguishes 1990s-era John Barry is here. A plaintiveness and sparer quality to the strings, for instance, and the use of lonely-sounding piano as a main melodic voice. The main theme establishes this right away, gesturing back toward Moonraker while “From London to L.A.” is reminiscent of Somewhere in Time.

“Early Days in London” is mostly lighthearted while also evoking a sense of a clown.

Most of the cues tend toward the melancholy, though. “Madness, Charlie?” brings in harp and harpsichord to join the strings and flute.

There’s also a bizarre cover of the song “Smile”, with electro-pop elements brought in and a club beat.

A sense of destiny is brought out in “Chaplin’s Studio Opening”, adding contrast to the alternation of brooding cue with peppy cue. When the full orchestra comes in, it’s glorious.

While this isn’t among Barry’s best scores, it might often remind you of some of those. It’s a must-have for admirers of this composer.