I think it is safe to say that John Barry is as vital to James Bond as Q, M, or Miss Moneypenny. If you don't agree, well, listen to all of the non-Barry Bond scores and then listen to this one. If you're not convinced by then, then I say that you have no ear for music. Well, let me take that back since that is kind of harsh but it is true. Scoring Bond for the second time in his career, Barry let loose of all the restraint he showed in From Russia With Love and presents a score full of what we've come to expect from a Bond score.
There is just no way to go through each track and praise it enough to say what's good about it (there are no bad things about any of them). The action here is awesome. Barry makes ample use of the James Bond Theme and 007. And in a move that I love about his Bond scores, he incorporates the title song's music into the music of the movie. It works so well in this case because the song itself is one of the best Bond songs written, possibly For Your Eyes Only comes anywhere close.
Bond is a part of movie history and his adventures continue on, however, since The Living Daylights, Barry has not been a part of them. David Arnold appears to be a worthy successor and I think he has done well in emulating Barry's style, but there's no beating John Barry himself. Barry's music is so integral to these early Bond films that its hard to imagine them being done by anyone else. Since Barry doesn't appear to be returning to score Bond anytime soon, it is well worth going out and finding this CD. If you love Bond movies, or if you love John Barry's music, you won't be disappointed.
Total time: 31:20
1: Goldfinger (2:47) - Shirley Bassey
2: Alpine Drive / Auric's Factory (5:24)
3: Oddjob's Pressing Engagement (3:05)
4: Bond Back in Action Again (2:29)
5: Teasing the Korean (2:12)
6: Gassing the Gangsters (1:03)
7: Goldfinger (2:08)
8: Dawn Raid on Fort Knox (5:43)
9: The Arrival of the Bomb and Countdown (3:25)
10: The Death of Goldfinger / End Titles (2:34)