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TyronneJames Bond Soundtracks
February 6th 2008 00:13
From Dr No to Casino Royale - James Bond Soundtracks
When I was a junior secret agent I had a prized vinyl album that contained all the title music for the James Bond films up to and including For Your Eyes Only. I listened to it endlessly, learning every nuance and instrument choice till I believed the tunes were my own creation.
Disappearing from my life for over a decade, I recently picked up the latest CD compilation of 007 opening credit themes with a few additions to my previous treasure, this one ends with the revolting Chris Cornell atrocity from Casino Royale. (Happily one of the films rare faults.)
I’m sure most of you are already familiar with these tunes so a diagnostic review feels a little redundant. Inspiring memories from the saga, sentimental moments in my young life, I’m just going to give you a broad, subjective opinion on the musical highs and lows.
I miss the degraded scratching of my gramophone, but hearing John Barry’s iconic theme perfectly polished with it’s retro cool twanging guitar and slinking trumpet instantly impressed. The highlights come with Shirley Bassey belting out Goldfinger, Moonraker and Diamonds are Forever, her powerful vocals never crisper reminds why she is considered the ultimate contributor to the music of the franchise.
The one and only Shirley Bassey performs Goldfinger on The Muppet Show
Tom Jones ripping into Thunderball, his voice is a weapon to rival the MI6 agent himself. Paul McCartney and Wings Live and Let Die another number that transcends the label of “written for a film” to become a classic in its own right, these are all dangerous tracks for a dangerous man.
See the Alternate theme song for Thunderball, Dionne Warwick's doing "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Other highlights include Sheena Easton’s For Your Eyes Only, Carly Simon’s No Body Does it Better, Louis Armstorng’s We have All The Time In The World, Nancy Sinatra’s You Only Live Twice and Matt Munroe’s From Russia With Love.
The rest are not quite up to the same high standard, lacking the necessary threat level melded with sophistication that the license to kill espionage hero demands. (eg: The Man With the Golden Gun, A View To A Kill, All Time High etc)
Some of the later additions fall short of even being good songs, let alone worthy of the honour of opening new instalments. (Eg: Goldeneye, Die Another Day, The World is Not Enough)
Well worth revisiting, it’s always interesting to listen to these numbers out of there original context. Reading over what I’ve written I could have been talking about Hendrix, Beethoven and any number of influential musicians that have touched my life, testament to the endearing pleasure of these icons of pop culture.
Old favourites on updated technology
When I was a junior secret agent I had a prized vinyl album that contained all the title music for the James Bond films up to and including For Your Eyes Only. I listened to it endlessly, learning every nuance and instrument choice till I believed the tunes were my own creation.
Here is a picture of the old vinyl version I had
Disappearing from my life for over a decade, I recently picked up the latest CD compilation of 007 opening credit themes with a few additions to my previous treasure, this one ends with the revolting Chris Cornell atrocity from Casino Royale. (Happily one of the films rare faults.)
I’m sure most of you are already familiar with these tunes so a diagnostic review feels a little redundant. Inspiring memories from the saga, sentimental moments in my young life, I’m just going to give you a broad, subjective opinion on the musical highs and lows.
The Bond Assets
I miss the degraded scratching of my gramophone, but hearing John Barry’s iconic theme perfectly polished with it’s retro cool twanging guitar and slinking trumpet instantly impressed. The highlights come with Shirley Bassey belting out Goldfinger, Moonraker and Diamonds are Forever, her powerful vocals never crisper reminds why she is considered the ultimate contributor to the music of the franchise.
The one and only Shirley Bassey performs Goldfinger on The Muppet Show
Tom Jones ripping into Thunderball, his voice is a weapon to rival the MI6 agent himself. Paul McCartney and Wings Live and Let Die another number that transcends the label of “written for a film” to become a classic in its own right, these are all dangerous tracks for a dangerous man.
See the Alternate theme song for Thunderball, Dionne Warwick's doing "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Other highlights include Sheena Easton’s For Your Eyes Only, Carly Simon’s No Body Does it Better, Louis Armstorng’s We have All The Time In The World, Nancy Sinatra’s You Only Live Twice and Matt Munroe’s From Russia With Love.
The rest are not quite up to the same high standard, lacking the necessary threat level melded with sophistication that the license to kill espionage hero demands. (eg: The Man With the Golden Gun, A View To A Kill, All Time High etc)
Some of the later additions fall short of even being good songs, let alone worthy of the honour of opening new instalments. (Eg: Goldeneye, Die Another Day, The World is Not Enough)
Well worth revisiting, it’s always interesting to listen to these numbers out of there original context. Reading over what I’ve written I could have been talking about Hendrix, Beethoven and any number of influential musicians that have touched my life, testament to the endearing pleasure of these icons of pop culture.
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by Tyronne
Sydney Fun
Melbourne DiaryStar
So you had that one too, it was a pivotal part of my childhood. Great cover.