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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re listening to music from Dr. No through Diamonds Are Forever!
While I’ve previously covered Roland Shaw and his Orchestra before (see Bond on Vinyl posts #36, #42, and #69), those albums only went up through the first four Sean Connery Bond films. This 1971 release capitalizes on the latest film in the franchise at the time, Diamonds Are Forever. I am not sure how this album was both produced and distributed to store shelves in 1971, as John Barry’s Original Soundtrack album wasn’t even recorded until October 1971, ahead of the film’s December release.
The Phase 4 record kicks off with Shaw’s funky rendition of Barry’s DAF main theme. It also contains a longer reprise of the track on the B-side. Hits from the first five Bond films return, as well as additional music from Casino Royale (1967) and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (titled On His Majesty’s Secret Service for some reason). Casino Royale gets a second track on the B-side with The Look of Love, but the vocals are much more somber than the original version sung by Dusty Springfield.
As Shaw had now recorded a solid decade of Bond music and other themes from the Spy Film genre, an entire second vinyl is filled with spy themes from I Spy, to The Ipcress File, to Our Man Flint. Also, the artwork is pretty unique for this album, so I thought I’d share the front, back, and gatefold displaying the curious choice of bikini-clad women on what looks to be shooting-range targets. 🤨
111. Roland Shaw And His Orchestra – The Return Of James Bond In Diamonds Are Forever And Other Secret Agent Themes
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