Drumbeat/John Barry Seven/Various Artists

Before John Barry started a long and illustrious career in the film industry this new soundtrack Silva release (SILCD 1307) Drumbeat, a short-lived 22 week program on the BBC in 1959 that featured Adam Faith, Mary O’Brien,( Dusty Springfield), and the young trumpet player leader of the John Barry Seven as well as conductor of the Johnny Prendy Orchestra. When was the last time you saw groups in white shirts and ties. It is hard for this reviewer to fathom and as I listened to it I pondered what if the group had a huge hit and became wildly successful would we as soundtrack enthusiasts not had Goldfinger, Born Free or any of 100+ scores?

A word of caution! Don’t look at this release as a soundtrack but as an ‘oldie but goodie’ release of nostalgic material that includes John Barry or any other individual you have an interest in. I’m sure that if you look at this material as revisiting your past you’ll be quite comfortable in your purchase. On my first listen the Duane Eddy standard “Rebel Rouser,” performed by the John Barry Seven instantly got my attention as this was something that I enjoyed as a teenager. Being the soundtrack lover I enjoyed Eddy’s rock and roll version of Peter Gunn as well as several other instrumental versions of popular songs of the era. I don’t think that Julie London or Frank Sinatra having anything to worry about as far as Dennis Lotis singing “I’m In The Mood for Love.” Revisiting this material made me realize how silly some of our lyrics were and how much Adam Faith tried to sound like Elvis Presley and how little Dusty Springfield sounded like what she evolved into with her sultry “The Look of Love” and other hits.

The John Barry collector will want this recording to complete his collection. If you enjoy listening to the old time rock and roll you’ll also enjoy this 40 song compilation of material especially if you’re from the baby boomer generation like this reviewer. For any on the picky side I quote from the notes. “These tracks have been mastered from the original vinyl. Although the greatest possible care has been taken during this process, it’s possible that some tracks show slight deterioration in sound quality.” Considering the source material the remastering by Rick Clark is more than acceptable. I can remember our 45’s not sounding all that great and this is a huge improvement. This release is nostalgic and a lot of fun.

Track listing

1. Bees Knees

The John Barry Seven

2. Shame On You, Miss Johnson

The Kingpins & The Millermen

3. I Go Ape

Roy Young and The John Barry Seven

4. Catwalk

Bob Miller and The Millermen

5. Its Late

Vince Eager and The John Barry Seven

6. Easy

Sylvia Sands and The Millermen

7. Little John

The John Barry Seven

8. Say Mama

Adam Faith and The John Barry Seven

9. This Should Go On Forever

Vince Eager and The Millermen

10. Beatnik

Bob Miller and The Millermen

11. Fallin’

Sylvia Sands and The Millermen

12. Italian Style

The Raindrops and The Millermen

13. Get Happy

Dennis Lotis and The Millermen

14. Rockin’ Sandy

Bob Miller and The Millermen

15. Hey! Miss Fannie!

The Raindrops and The Millermen

16. C’Mon Everybody

Adam Faith and The John Barry Seven

17. Oh! Oh! Oh! I’m In Love

Sylvia Sands and The Millermen

18. Rebel Rouser

The John Barry Seven

19. Slippin’ & Slidin’

Roy Young and The John Barry Seven

20. Don’t Leave Me (Like This)

The Kingpins & The Millermen

21. It Doesn’t Matter Anymore

Vince Eager and The John Barry Seven

22. Compulsion

Bob Miller and The Millermen

23. Believe What You Say

Adam Faith and The John Barry Seven

24. Mad Mab

The John Barry Seven

25. I’m In The Mood For Love

Dennis Lotis and The Millermen

26. Good Rockin’ Tonight

The John Barry Seven, Bob Miller and The Millermen

27. I Vibrate

Adam Faith and The John Barry Seven

28. Buzzin’

Lana Sisters and The Millermen

29. Drumbeat

Bob Miller and The Millermen

30. She Said Yeah

Roy Young and The John Barry Seven

31. Little Dipper

Bob Miller and The Millermen

32. Love Me In The Daytime

Sylvia Sands and The Millermen

33. Tall Paul

The Three Barry Sisters and The Johnny Prendy Orchestra

34. I-Ay ove-lay Oo-Yay

The Three Barry Sisters and The Johnny Prendy Orchestra

35. Jo-Jo The Dog-Faced Boy

The Three Barry Sisters and The Johnny Prendy Orchestra

36. Ah, Poor Little Baby!

Adam Faith

37. Come on Baby

Derry Hart and The Hartbeats

38. Big Blon’ Baby

Larry Page and The Saga Satellites

39. Throw All Your Lovin’ My Way

Larry Page and The Saga Satellites

40. Little Old Fashioned Love

Larry Page and The Saga Satellites