Music Composers you would like to see score a Bond film

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  • Posts: 5,767
    boldfinger wrote: »
    Can we imagine if Goldsmith had scored Moonraker? Moonraker is Barry, and wonderful, and I wouldn't replace him, but just for a minute envision some First Contact-type cues. Like if Barry in an alternative universe was unavailable for Moonraker.
    @StirredNotShaken, I have listened many times to Goldsmith´s Total Recall score, imagining it as a Bond score.
    In fact, as you say, I wouldn´t want to replace Barry, but I think Goldsmith would have been the best choice for any non-Barry Bond film.

    I would have loved that. He'd have done a really good job. Always been curious as to what a Williams' Bond score would have sounded like, too.

    I adore John Williams but I think he's a bit too... orchestral?... for Bond. If that makes sense.

    EDIT: Er, let me actually add to this. He'd be perfect for the majority of the score, you know all the incidental pieces, I just worry what his take on the Bond theme would be like, or the theme song for the film for that matter.
    Considering the variety of scores he composed, even if you take only the Spielberg ones, I wouldn´t worry. I think though that in the last ten years or so there were scores where he seemed to try to be more mordern or something and instead watered down his own music. Goldsmith on the other hand never stopped pushing ahead.

  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,205
    boldfinger wrote: »
    Can we imagine if Goldsmith had scored Moonraker? Moonraker is Barry, and wonderful, and I wouldn't replace him, but just for a minute envision some First Contact-type cues. Like if Barry in an alternative universe was unavailable for Moonraker.
    @StirredNotShaken, I have listened many times to Goldsmith´s Total Recall score, imagining it as a Bond score.
    In fact, as you say, I wouldn´t want to replace Barry, but I think Goldsmith would have been the best choice for any non-Barry Bond film.

    I would have loved that. He'd have done a really good job. Always been curious as to what a Williams' Bond score would have sounded like, too.

    I adore John Williams but I think he's a bit too... orchestral?... for Bond. If that makes sense.

    EDIT: Er, let me actually add to this. He'd be perfect for the majority of the score, you know all the incidental pieces, I just worry what his take on the Bond theme would be like, or the theme song for the film for that matter.

    Agreed on all fronts and let me clarify - I would be more curious than overjoyed at the prospect. I'm sure there would be points of contention but considering Williams' talent for pulling memorable melodies out of his arse, it would be an interesting score even if it wasn't a good fit.

    Just spitballing, obviously. It's never gonna happen.
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Posts: 4,512
    Craig Armstrong
    Alexandere Desplat
    David Arnold
    Steven Price

    Whyle i must say i not so sjure about Steven Price any more since he did that Tdk/arrow movie.

    Craig Armstrong did a nice mix of movies and as said before i whant him in first place because of The Incredible Hulk. Also it be nice I have scotish composer. Iam happy Desplat did Potter what i hoped on since Ghost Writer.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    I've championed Ramin Djawadi for a while now but I'll also throw in someone who would absolutely do a brilliant job; Ludwig Göransson. Getting him to score a Bond film would be a phenomenal coup.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,195
    Today I was at my desk doing some work and I had on "Silver Screen" a channel that exclusively plays movie music. As I listened to one selection, not knowing from what film or composer, it struck me that whoever it was would be great for Bond. It was from Lord of the Rings and the composer Howard Shore.
  • edited February 2017 Posts: 2,915
    I have an out-of-left-field suggestion, so I will preface it by saying that I what look for most in a good Bond composer is the ability to compose intensely memorable and thrilling themes. No one was better at this than John Barry--his score for OHMSS mostly consists of variations on two themes, and it's a masterpiece. No one else who has scored the Bond films has approached him when it comes to splashiness and catchiness.

    In that light, my nomination for Bond composer is...Mike Post, who has written some of the splashiest and most memorable themes heard on the small screen, including "The Rockford Files," "Hill Street Blues," "Magnum P.I.", "Law & Order," and "The A-Team." Plainly no stranger to composing ear-worms! He also arranged "Classical Gas" and produced Dolly Parton's "9 to 5." This is someone who at the very least is guaranteed to give you a strong, memorable title theme.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    talos7 wrote: »
    Today I was at my desk doing some work and I had on "Silver Screen" a channel that exclusively plays movie music. As I listened to one selection, not knowing from what film or composer, it struck me that whoever it was would be great for Bond. It was from Lord of the Rings and the composer Howard Shore.
    Absolutely. Howard Shore's work on LoTR is genius. He created several memorable melodic themes for various characters & locations, and his action scoring was spot on. It's a near perfect score.
  • SatoriousSatorious Brushing up on a little Danish
    Posts: 233
    I really want to see some thematic material enter the series again - something which oozes atmosphere and jazzy swagger. Daniel Pemberton would be great for this (I think he's a bit like a modern-day John Barry).



    Too many composers repeat themselves or produce what I consider generic "Game or Trailer" pieces. Be nice to get some personality back in the Bond scores.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    A bit more jazzy flavour would be most welcome from me. I'm not sure if Pemberton is that man though. He does create some interesting themes, but as I've mentioned before, I find they tend to compete with and overwhelm their respective scenes, rather than complimenting them.
  • SatoriousSatorious Brushing up on a little Danish
    Posts: 233
    Yes, I think this happens a lot with sound-mixing in blockbusters these days - everything seems cranked up to 11 and over-produced - there isn't much breathing space. In the 60's films - the music would compliment the sound - rather than trying to compete with it. Modern scoring also seems to have a lot less subtext/character - they are mostly designed to make the audience feel a particular emotion at a particular point. Sadly, I don't see this changing anytime soon...
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    Satorious wrote: »
    Yes, I think this happens a lot with sound-mixing in blockbusters these days - everything seems cranked up to 11 and over-produced - there isn't much breathing space. In the 60's films - the music would compliment the sound - rather than trying to compete with it. Modern scoring also seems to have a lot less subtext/character - they are mostly designed to make the audience feel a particular emotion at a particular point. Sadly, I don't see this changing anytime soon...
    Well said and I agree. Having said that, I really was impressed with Henry Jackman's work for Kingsman. Excellent Bondian vibes from that soundtrack and he created some nice themes for Valentine and Eggsy.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,195
    So many great possibilities. In the end I don't think they could go wrong with Michael-Giacchino, not just based on his score for the] Incredibles but on his full body of work.
  • BondAficionadoBondAficionado Former IMDBer
    Posts: 1,889
    Giacchino would be an excellent choice. The Rogue One soundtrack is proof that he can deal with an existing franchise (with non other than John Williams) and make an awesome score out of it.
  • Posts: 1,970
    Skrillex
  • BondAficionadoBondAficionado Former IMDBer
    Posts: 1,889
    Still better than Newman :)
  • ShardlakeShardlake Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 4,043
    Portishead, the theme and the score, yes a bit ballsy but Disney did it with Daft Punk and Tron Legacy.

    Total dream I know but hey why not?
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Shardlake wrote: »
    Portishead, the theme and the score, yes a bit ballsy but Disney did it with Daft Punk and Tron Legacy.

    Total dream I know but hey why not?

    A Portishead theme would be great.
  • Jazz007Jazz007 Minnesota
    Posts: 257
    Johann Johannsson (Sicario, Prisoners) would be fantastic - based on my recent viewing of Nocturnal Animals, I also think Abel Korzeniowski would do a great job.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited March 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Jazz007 wrote: »
    Johann Johannsson (Sicario, Prisoners) would be fantastic
    Agreed.
    Jazz007 wrote: »
    - based on my recent viewing of Nocturnal Animals, I also think Abel Korzeniowski would do a great job.
    I've yet to see it, but have heard good things about the score.
  • BondAficionadoBondAficionado Former IMDBer
    Posts: 1,889
    I think it'd be great to bring back David Arnold. He's not finished with what he started.
  • edited March 2017 Posts: 5,990
    Yep, Abel would be a good choice, based on his work on Penny Dreadful. But my main choice has always been and will always be Michael Giacchino. Remember Alias ?

    Or failing that, Murray Gold. BTW, anyone has any news about the soundtrack for the 9th season of Doctor Who ? Because, regardless of what you thought of it, you have to admit that the music was, as usual, top notch.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,195
    I think it'd be great to bring back David Arnold. He's not finished with what he started.

    Not a bad suggestion at all. I believe that he would come back reinvigorated and would build upon build upon what he did on Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, two of his finest scores.

  • Posts: 4,044
    Gerard wrote: »
    Yep, Abel would be a good choice, based on his work on Penny Dreadful. But my main choice has always been and will always be Michael Giacchino. Remember Alias ?

    Or failing that, Murray Gold. BTW, anyone has any news about the soundtrack for the 9th season of Doctor Who ? Because, regardless of what you thought of it, you have to admit that the music was, as usual, top notch.

    I always found Murray Gold's music really intrusive.
  • Posts: 2,159
    I think it'd be great to bring back David Arnold. He's not finished with what he started.

    What he started wasn't that great....
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited March 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Mallory wrote: »
    I think it'd be great to bring back David Arnold. He's not finished with what he started.

    What he started wasn't that great....
    +1. We can and must do better. This is one of the areas where the franchise has not recovered from the loss of the original greats. The other is set design.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,195
    -1
  • BondAficionadoBondAficionado Former IMDBer
    Posts: 1,889
    bondjames wrote: »
    Mallory wrote: »
    I think it'd be great to bring back David Arnold. He's not finished with what he started.

    What he started wasn't that great....
    +1. We can and must do better. This is one of the areas where the franchise has not recovered from the loss of the original greats. The other is set design.

    Oh please. Barry is #1 but don't try and squander the legacy(!) of what Arnold has accomplished as the composer (shout out to Dodd too).

    Barry had his share of hiccups (DAF and TMWTGG imho) and yet Arnold has delivered great - not peak-Barry-level great - scores in ALL 5 films. Barbara and Michael saw his potential and immediately told Arnold to return in two years. Thankfully Arnold took the opportunity otherwise we'd get an objectively lesser score from, say, Kamen or Serra.

    He wrote "White Knight" before even being given the job! His enthusiasm is what makes him a fantastic choice and he always added nice changes to each score. Just like Barry. He uses beautiful themes to paint a picture of both the characters and the locations. Just like Barry.

    I'll admit that Barry's scores for individual characters are more memorable but who can forget Vesper's Theme from CR? Exactly. In the action department, I'd go as far as saying that both composers were great at the time they made them. Barry's are classics but don't act like you could play them (untouched) in today's action films. Likewise, Arnold's wouldn't fit in the 60's or 70's. Although they both did those well, I prefer Arnold's knack for tension-building scores. As the scenes progress, it gets louder and climaxes... just before it starts the whole process again. Building us up and then bringing us down on an emotional level. This is what Arnold does best and CR is the epitome of it all. Great use of his (own) "suspense motif" being used.

    So in conclusion, I'd like to say that; although nobody does it better than Barry, Arnold is inches behind and his legacy is better than people make it out to be. His enthusiasm to do another Bond film remains and the Broccolis better think about bringing him back.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited March 2017 Posts: 23,883
    bondjames wrote: »
    Mallory wrote: »
    I think it'd be great to bring back David Arnold. He's not finished with what he started.

    What he started wasn't that great....
    +1. We can and must do better. This is one of the areas where the franchise has not recovered from the loss of the original greats. The other is set design.

    Oh please. Barry is #1 but don't try and squander the legacy(!) of what Arnold has accomplished as the composer (shout out to Dodd too).

    Barry had his share of hiccups (DAF and TMWTGG imho) and yet Arnold has delivered great - not peak-Barry-level great - scores in ALL 5 films. Barbara and Michael saw his potential and immediately told Arnold to return in two years. Thankfully Arnold took the opportunity otherwise we'd get an objectively lesser score from, say, Kamen or Serra.

    He wrote "White Knight" before even being given the job! His enthusiasm is what makes him a fantastic choice and he always added nice changes to each score. Just like Barry. He uses beautiful themes to paint a picture of both the characters and the locations. Just like Barry.

    I'll admit that Barry's scores for individual characters are more memorable but who can forget Vesper's Theme from CR? Exactly. In the action department, I'd go as far as saying that both composers were great at the time they made them. Barry's are classics but don't act like you could play them (untouched) in today's action films. Likewise, Arnold's wouldn't fit in the 60's or 70's. Although they both did those well, I prefer Arnold's knack for tension-building scores. As the scenes progress, it gets louder and climaxes... just before it starts the whole process again. Building us up and then bringing us down on an emotional level. This is what Arnold does best and CR is the epitome of it all. Great use of his (own) "suspense motif" being used.

    So in conclusion, I'd like to say that; although nobody does it better than Barry, Arnold is inches behind and his legacy is better than people make it out to be. His enthusiasm to do another Bond film remains and the Broccolis better think about bringing him back.
    I'm afraid I can't disagree more! Mentioning Arnold in the same breath as Barry is almost an insult to the legend. He's not worthy to wipe Barry's creative shoes, although he emulated his sound nicely on some tracks in his last two Bond efforts. The scores for his Brosnan efforts were mostly generic 'of the moment' 90's electronic drum infected ear noise that was unworthy of the Bond legend and more befitting 3rd rate video games.

    Anyway, this thread is about who should be a composer and I personally think it's time to look ahead to someone with a new sound and style rather than any retrograde steps.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,351
    David Newman. This reorchestration is amazing.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited April 2017 Posts: 23,883
    I had posted this on one of the Arnold threads and am including it here. This is an example of why I think this chap will be perfect. Without a doubt this inspired Jeff Beal when he created the superb House of Cards score.

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