John Barry * The White House Years

Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years is a 1977 American made-for-television film and a sequel to Eleanor and Franklin (1976). Originally airing on March 13, 1977, it was part of a two-part biographical film directed by Daniel Petrie based on Joseph P. Lash's Pulitzer prize-winning biography, Eleanor and Franklin, chronicling the lives of the 32nd U.S. President and the first lady. Joseph Lash was a secretary and confidant of Eleanor and wrote other books on the couple. Music by John Barry, here is the disco type version that was the flip side to his Theme From The Deep on Casablanca July 1977.

[garethbramley]

This was exclusive to the American / Canadian market but was also issued in New Zealand - not sure if the mini-series had aired here by the time this single came out (July 1977). In the States it aired 13th March and the decision to record and release the theme must have been down to the popularity of the series.
I've always loved this tune, not just because of the disco feel to it - it just has great orchestration and has everything going for it.
The UK single of donna summer's vocal (backed with Barry's 'Theme from The Deep') was released 12th August 1977.

'The Deep' opened June 17th in USA, but not until September 23rd here.

In the UK Donna Summer's vocal spent a total of 4 weeks on the trot at No.5. As far as I know it was never performed live on TOTP and certainly didn't appear in her 'At the BBC' compilation. It was played at least once and danced to by Legs & Co.

*I used to listen to the BBC Radio 2 chart rundown on Sunday nights (Tom Browne) and I distinctly remember that on at least one occasion, maybe more, they played Barry's instrumental B side, another cracking instro! Does anybody else recall this?*

There was also a 6 min+ version of Summer's vocal on a 12" single. The song was nominated for a Golden Globe, along with 'Nobody Does It Better'; 'How Deep Is Your Love'; and 'New York, New York' - none of which won!!!

Barry got an Emmy nomination for his score for 'The White House Years' (beaten by Leonard Rosenman and 'Sybil'). Sybil bloody Fawlty?

[tomsmedley]

IF JAMES BOND IS 007. THEN JOHN BARRY IS 008. CONCERT ALBUM 1972 . WORDS OF DON BLACK.
GOD HOW I MISS THOSE DAYS AND THE HAPPINESS OF JOHN BARRY MUSIC AND COLLECTING HIS ALBUMS
IN THE 1970S 80S 90S IN LIVERPOOL.
STILL HAVE MANY OF THEM . BUT NOT MY YOUTH.
THERE IS A NICE TRIBUTE TO BARRY HERE ON YOU TUBE . ITS CALLED UNDENIABLY . BY CORRINNE TAN .
THANK YOU MR BARRY GLAD I MET YOU AND HAD MY PICTURE WITH YOU AND YOU WERE SO KIND TO
ME AND MY WIFE BACK IN APRIL 1999
THANKS JOHN .

[swanvictor]

Well, I'm a dedicated John Barry fan...but didn't like this at all! Weirdest composition I've ever heard from Barry: are we sure he wrote this??! What's with the counterpoint that sounds like it came from a different genre? was he too busy to write something better at the time or did they stiff him over the fee?! There are hints of Barry...but killed by that counter-harmony of guitars or whatever the hell they are.