Tag: James Bond

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re still going with Goldfinger, but also Dr. No, From Russia with Love, and Thunderball!

In 1964, the British label London Records put out an album by the Roland Shaw Orchestra called Themes From The James Bond Thrillers (which I didn’t yet own at the time of this original post). That album featured covers of 10 popular themes from the first three Bond films.

The follow-up album pictured here was released the following year and featured nine more themes from just those first three films, and added the main theme from Thunderball. The inclusion of the title track makes sense from a marketing perspective, but I gotta be honest—the tune just isn’t the same without the Tom Jones vocals.

Here’s the b-side:

36. The Roland Shaw Orchestra – More Themes From The James Bond Thrillers

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re still going with Goldfinger!

This album caught my eye at an antique store a few years back. You’ll notice the “Goldfinger” in giant letters on the front as that soundtrack is still the only Bond score to top the US album charts, so it looks like record companies took advantage of the name however they could.

Besides a unique version of ‘The James Bond Theme’, ‘From Russia With Love’, and ‘Goldfinger’, the album features jazzy covers of mostly other people’s songs. Barry gets a writing credit on only four of the 12 tracks (not including Monty Norman taking sole credit on the James Bond Theme). Before becoming a master of movie scores, Barry did his own take on ‘Blueberry Hill’ and ‘Spanish Harlem,’ which were still popular songs at the time.

35. John Barry And His Orchestra – John Barry Plays Goldfinger

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re going on to Goldfinger!

I was pumped to find this album at my first record show a few years back. Though I already owned the US version of the Goldfinger soundtrack, this UK-only LP adds four more tracks of John Barry’s wonderful film score that were not featured on the OST version.

Shirley Bassey’s vocals on the Main Title followed up by Barry’s use of the main theme throughout the film really make this an excellent listen. Even though the tracks are not fully in film order (annoying for sure), the playlist really makes you remember this classic film.

34. Goldfinger (Original Motion Picture Score)

Recommended music: Pink Panther and James Bond Theme Mashup [Today’s album never made it past vinyl]

Let’s take it from the top, shall we? Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re listening to Ian Fleming’s Theme From Russia With Love, The Pink Panther, Plus Other Movie Hits.

At the time of this writing, I didn’t have any “knockoff” versions of the Dr. No soundtrack to share, so it’s back to From Russia With Love. It didn’t take long for record companies to start profiting by releasing non-official Bond music on vinyl.

1963 not only saw the release of a memorable Bond film in From Russia with Love, but also the comedy classic The Pink Panther starring David Niven and Peter Sellers with a musical score by Henry Mancini. I’m not sure why Ian Fleming gets the name drop for the title theme, as it was written by Lionel Bart. Bart does get a credit on the cover, but in much smaller print than the Bond author.

Diplomat Records put out over 600 budget albums like this 1964 release. I could not find any other albums led by conductor Richard Lindsey. However, I enjoyed this take on the main title in FRWL, the album artwork, and some other 1960s melodies I’ve never heard before. 😄

33. Ian Fleming’s Theme From Russia With Love, The Pink Panther, Plus Other Movie Hits

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Now, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re taking time for No Time To Die!

Daniel Craig’s memorable time as James Bond comes to an end. Though we had an extra year and a half to wait and process story leaks, it didn’t make the ending of the film any less profound. An emotional Bond film for what is certainly another turning point in the franchise.

Hans Zimmer takes over composing the Bond score with much of the same orchestra members he’s been using for two decades (think Gladiator). The result is wildly entertaining, keeping pace with the action of the film and featuring clever 50-year-old audio callbacks to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. I really enjoyed it!

My biggest gripe with this soundtrack release is that the Grammy award-winning main theme does not lead off the soundtrack, and is not laid in chronologically as track #3. No, the theme is buried in the middle of side #4 on this double LP release. The track itself is certainly no worse than Sam Smith’s from the last film. It’s just a style that takes some getting used to. The lyrics are well written, accurately describing Bond’s mindset going into the final Craig story.

32. No Time To Die (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re sticking with Spectre!

A song titled ‘Spectre’ was submitted by the band Radiohead to be the main theme for the Spectre film. However, it was ultimately rejected. So, for just the fourth time ever, a Bond main theme does not contain the actual title of the film within its lyrics. This Sam Smith track tried to capture the same mood as Adele’s Skyfall, but the singer isn’t a vocal match for Adele, so it doesn’t entirely work… at first.

Trust me, after listening to the ballad a few dozen times (including the instrumental version, which is the B-side on this 7″ single), it will no longer be your least favorite Bond tune.

Remarkably, it is the first Bond tune to hit #1 in the UK. It also won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. So for the Oscars, it was able to match Adele.

31. Sam Smith – Writing’s On The Wall

Recommended music: Thomas Newman – Spectre

Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re moving ahead to Spectre!

EON Productions secured the rights to the fictional evil organization named SPECTRE for the first time in decades. This meant we also got to see a new Blofeld played by Christoph Waltz, a new SPECTRE henchman played by Dave Bautista, and a new Bond girl in Monica Bellucci – all of which shone while splitting up screen time.

Thomas Newman returns to score one last time. It’s really a decent soundtrack album that is nearly all in order (compared to the previous release, Skyfall). Unfortunately, the film’s main title is missing from the soundtrack again. This is the third soundtrack in a row without it, unless you want to count the instrumental end credit version.

30. Spectre (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’ve got more music from Skyfall!

Adele’s vocals on this track are a sound that tests the limits of your speakers and the song is reminiscent of something only achieved by the likes of Shirley Bassey during the first 50 years of Bond themes. Skyfall is a dark and moody tune that reflects the story well.

Adele and co-writer Paul Epworth won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Skyfall” at the 2013 Oscars.

Despite being one of the top-selling DIGITAL downloads of all time, the vinyl was surprisingly difficult to come by (I guess people want to keep it in their collection).

At first, I was content with finding this unofficial 12″ German release of remixes, but later on, I was also able to secure the 7″ European single pictured here by way of Canada. 😛

29. Adele – Skyfall & Skyfall Remixes

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re falling to the next James Bond film, Skyfall!

Skyfall successfully stepped up the Bond backstory game and gave Judi Dench’s M a good finale. The film also reintroduced Q, Moneypenny, and the Aston Martin DB5 while Javier Bardem stars as a crazed former MI6 agent.

Thomas Newman took over composing duties on the soundtrack as he often collaborates with director Sam Mendes. It’s an excellent score and was just the second Bond film ever nominated for Best Original Score.

Unfortunately, the vinyl release is very frustrating to me as the tracks appear in completely random order, not following along with the order as heard in the film, as you’d expect. Also, following the lead of the previous two soundtracks, Adele’s main theme does not even feature on the soundtrack album. While the tune is subtly mixed into one track, it was not fully included in either vinyl or the CD version of the soundtrack.

This release LP was limited to 250 copies. Besides the two vinyl, this cut out of Bond in the gatefold, and also included a 16-page full-size photo booklet.

28. Skyfall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re moving on to Quantum of Solace and checking out the theme by Jack White and Alicia Keys !

Bond is out for revenge in this direct sequel to Casino Royale. The script was rushed and then interrupted by a writer’s strike, which I feel comes across in the final product.

David Arnold returned to compose his fifth and final Bond score, but it ends up trying too much to repeat the music of Casino Royale (including Vesper’s theme again and again).

The main theme collaboration “Another Way To Die” between Jack White and Alicia Keys was worked on separately from the score (and was stuck at the end of the CD-only soundtrack). Unfortunately, the tune is all style and no substance, with no memorable melody – definitely my least favorite theme of the Daniel Craig films.

This 7″ single was available on vinyl and contains the original version of the theme as well as an instrumental-only version on the B-side.

27. Jack White & Alicia Keys – Another Way To Die

On this #WhateverWednesday from the archives, I’m posting possibly the nerdiest thing from my collection to @DalesToys so far. 😄

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Licence to Kill hitting US theaters, I made this video with some of my Licence to Kill trading cards!

Besides things like physical media or posters featuring Timothy Dalton in his second and final outing as James Bond, there’s not a lot of other “LTK” merchandise out there. Fortunately, these cards featuring characters and scenes from the film have made their way into my collection.

Also, yes, it is weird to spell license without an “s,” but the change to the British spelling was supposedly made to not confuse American audiences. 😄

Cheers!

#LicenceToKill35
#BringBackDalton

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re sticking with Casino Royale and checking out the theme by Chris Cornell!

Chris Cornell absolutely rocked out with “You Know My Name,” which serves as a substitute for the James Bond theme. The track represents the new Bond’s bold immaturity seen in the film, and is the first main title to not reference the film’s title within its lyrics since 1983.

You Know My Name is also notorious for being the first Bond title song to not appear on the film’s original motion picture soundtrack album, as it was only available as a single with the film’s release. I was able to find it on vinyl on the posthumous compilation album “Chris Cornell,” which features solo efforts as well as his work with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Audioslave.

26. Chris Cornell – Chris Cornell

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re carrying on to a new Bond, and the next James Bond film, Casino Royale!

A new era of Bond begins with Daniel Craig provided the most entertaining look for the character in a decade, and arguably the best debut of any Bond actor. From the opening title sequence to the shocking finale, I thoroughly enjoyed the new take on the character.

David Arnold returns to compose the score and skillfully mixes Chris Cornell’s title song into the soundtrack with multiple motifs, which become Bond’s theme during the film. The traditional James Bond Theme finally appears at the end of the album and over the film’s end credits.

This European release of the deluxe edition 180 gram LP was limited to 2000 copies on translucent blue vinyl. Besides the two vinyl, it also included a 36″ x 24″ folded poster.

25. Casino Royale (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re moving on to the James Bond film, Die Another Day!

This film really should feel more nostalgic for me as my wife and I saw it in the theater when dating early on, and there are many callbacks in Die Another Day that celebrate the first 40 years of James Bond productions.

However, beyond the beautiful locations, it’s just a weak effort from dialogue, to cameos, to bad CGI, to a satellite laser… you get the idea. Despite the film doing well at the box office, bringing in over $400 million, it was clear that the franchise needed to go in a new direction.

The David Arnold-helmed soundtrack was more of the same type of electronic mixed music from the previous film, and was also the last Bond soundtrack album to only be released on cassette/CD. Leading off the recording, the main theme by Madonna is typically regarded as the worst in the history of the franchise – I certainly won’t argue with that sentiment.

Like the Brosnan films, I had to pick up the full soundtrack on CD, but I was able to find this 12″ vinyl DJ sampler. It contains the main theme and a bit of the score, but I hadn’t pulled the trigger on picking up a vinyl of the single just yet.😛 [Note: I have definitely picked up several versions of the 12″ single since first writing this post😄 – DM]

24. Die Another Day DJ Sampler

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Today, from the Bond on Vinyl archives, we’re moving on to the James Bond film, The World Is Not Enough!

I remember going to the theater to see this film in high school and later writing a (positive) review as a class assignment. The 17-minute action-packed opening, complete with a high-speed boat chase, was a highlight for me, along with a couple of things that popped up later in the film. While the action made for a fun popcorn flick, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, and especially Denise Richards failed to be convincing in their roles, and save the film from its convoluted plot.

The film’s soundtrack, which consists of a mix of electronic sound mixed with classical arrangements and lounge music, is probably underrated. This title track by Garbage is absolutely better than you may give it credit for, as Shirley Manson delivers a performance far better than her typical vocals.

I did have to pick up the CD in order to get the full soundtrack as it has not yet been released on vinyl in any capacity. This 12″ contains the original version of the main theme as well as the two remixes shared here.

23. Garbage – The World Is Not Enough