Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Barry Gray

Barry Gray composed almost exclusively for producer Gerry Anderson, the mind behind Fireball XL5, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, Thunderbirds, and other "Supermarionation" TV shows. (For the unacquainted, Supermarionation refers to elaborate marionettes, not some lost Super Mario Bros. game taking place in the venerable plumber's native country.) Hearing Gray's music, however, one wonders why the composer didn't get more assignments. His title song for Captain Scarlet sounds a bit cheesy by today's standards, but its melodic strength surpasses the caliber of many "melodies" from some of today's most popular composers. Gray's music for Thunderbirds brims with confidence, intrepid optimism, and the spirit of adventure. Themes for vehicles like Zero-X and Airship One are catchy and invigorating. The main theme itself deserves a lofty position in the marching band repertoire (and in fact is performed  on-screen by the band British Royal Marines at the end of the film Thunderbirds Are Go). The melody perfectly encapsulates the thrilling, sanguine nature of the Thunderbirds' adventures. Gray may not have branched out much beyond Anderson, but the quality of the music proves the composer had no shortage of talent.

Thunderbirds Are Go*
Thunderbird 6