14 replies to this topic

[00Nothing]

Hey folks. Recently re-watched TSWLM (love the film, my second favourite Moore Bond) and I was paying attention to the music score. Hamlish undeniably wrote one of the best theme songs, but his music score seems strange for a Bond film. At time terribly dated (he was going for a Bee Gees feel) and at other times brilliant (the car chase). I was wondering what other fans reactions to his music was.

[stromberg]

It's not on top of my list, but it's one of the better non-Barry Bond scores. Strange sounds for a Bond movie sometimes, as you say, but interesting it is.

Interesting as well is your comparsion of his BeeGees sound and the car chase music: if you listen carefully, you'll notice that the car chase music is nothing but a sped-up version of Bond '77 (the BeeGees sound) .

[Qwerty]

I love the film itself, but the soundtrack isn't one of my all time favorites, but that's not to say I don't like it. I will agree that certain parts of it do sound dated now, but that is only to be expected, as because of the disco flavor to such tracks as 'Bond 77', which is my favorite track from the film actually.

I've always thought Bond 77 sounded remarkably similar to the BeeGees song, 'You Should be Dancing.'

Overall, a fair score by Hamlisch, the title song is better, but the score suits me fine I suppose. Not the best, but not bad.

[Turn]

It's an okay score, but nowhere near Martin or Conti's efforts as far as non-Barry/Arnold scores go. As far as the soundtrack goes, I only like a couple of the songs and have so far not gone out of my way to purchase it as part of the remastered CD collection.

[Qwerty]

I only like a couple of the songs and have so far not gone out of my way to purchase it as part of the remastered CD collection.

I think that is one of the large problems I have with this score. The soundtrack. As a completist and a collector, I did have high hopes for this soundtrack to be better than the original, yet it was the one of all the remastered CD's that I bought last I believe.

I don't like the track layout at all on this CD, I don't think it gives an accurate portryal at all, the way the put the tracks on this one, nor do I think it is long enough. Sadly, it wasn't included as one of the 'remixed with new tracks added' selections, but I think it could have benefitted from that.

Still, a fair soundtrack.

[Turn]

That's my beef with it, Qwerty. It includes junk like Eastern Lights and Anya, which aren't even in the film anyway. Albums sure were strange back then. I guess we're spoiled now.

[Qwerty]

Well, yes and no. For being in the time, I thought they did a better job even with the soundtrack to The Man With The Golden Gun, and that back then was a solid 43 minutes or so. This one could have been better.

[SPECTRE ASSASSIN]

I liked Hamlish's score alot for TSWLM. He contributed tremendously for a tremendously successful Bond film. It sounds dated now; it sounds like disco in some ways. But I love his romantic theme ("Nobody Does Better"), especially when that score is playing when there is a interlude between Bond and Anya.

[TheSaint]

I'll take Hamlish over Kamen & Serra any day.

[J J]

Love it: especially the action sequences (underwater and land Lotus chases).

[Qwerty]

Love it: especially the action sequences (underwater and land Lotus chases).

I would love to have the full underwater chase track included on there.

[Righty007]

I have a Marvin H. signed The Spy Who Loved Me LP! Atleast thats what the seller at eBay said...

[ChandlerBing]

If you liked the 70s, then this album is for you!

The score from the film has basically never been released. The album is a hodgepodge of basically that gives you an idea of the music, but basically after listening to it for a few seconds, you are compelled to put on the DVD and hear the music for real.

Someone needs to get their act together and release the soundtrack. Even Dr. No got a better soundtrack release, and that ain't saying much!

[Qwerty]

If you liked the 70s, then this album is for you!

The score from the film has basically never been released. The album is a hodgepodge of basically that gives you an idea of the music, but basically after listening to it for a few seconds, you are compelled to put on the DVD and hear the music for real.

Someone needs to get their act together and release the soundtrack. Even Dr. No got a better soundtrack release, and that ain't saying much!

Agreed. Dr. No and The Spy Who Loved Me, I think, contend sometimes for the worst soundtrack release of the film's music, hardly a compliment at all, they are.

The problem with both is what was decided to oddly be included on these CD's, and what many great tracks were not on them at all.

[agent007jb]

I too rewatched TSWLM and I was shocked at how much music was left out of the soundtrack album. Marvin Hamlisch did have his own style, but he quoted the John Barry style of scoring a lot. I think a good example was when Bond and Anya are looking for Jaws amongs the columns and when they bump into each other there is a splash of brass. Also when Bond is riding the camera globe, the James Bond theme is playing in its most classic form.

A Expanded Bond album is a must.