49 replies to this topic

[Brian Flagg]

I'm listening to the MOONRAKER score today and I've always found it to be in stark contrast to the rather goofy (but enjoyable) film it accompanies. The Shirley Bassey-performed title song is mournful and full of longing and the instrumental tracks, especially "Space Lazer Battle" and "Miss Goodhead Meets Bond", are also more than a touch depressing but the entire score, while it has those beautiful Barry moments that would appear in all of his work post-MOONRAKER, still seems to be as much of a downer as his later DANCES WITH WOLVES masterpiece, which by design was an elegy for the American West. As a matter of fact, "Cable Car and Snake Fight" would not sound out of place on WOLVES.

Anyone agree/disagree on this?

Edited by Brian Flagg, 25 June 2004 - 06:56 PM.

[Qwerty]

I firmly disagree. I call it the best of the best when it comes to James Bond film scores.

And the soundtrack is much too short to do it justice on CD. John Barry makes his best cues here, with my favorite rendition of the famed 007 theme. Not to mention the inspirational and personal favorite if mine title track providing for a very intimate and strong flowing theme.

Flight into Space is a majestic track with the principal Barry instrumental attributes, as is the Laser Fight.

Strong action tracks, romantic melodies and a perfect theme.

Easily the best in my opinion.

[Brian Flagg]

I firmly disagree. I call it the best of the best when it comes to James Bond film scores.

And the soundtrack is much too short to do it justice on CD. John Barry makes his best cues here, with my favorite rendition of the famed 007 theme. Not to mention the inspirational and personal favorite if mine title track providing for a very intimate and strong flowing theme.

Flight into Space is a majestic track with the principal Barry instrumental attributes, as is the Laser Fight.

Strong action tracks, romantic melodies and a perfect theme.

Easily the best in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I like the score a lot. It's just always seemed to be quite contrary to the film. Maybe Barry knew the film was too jokey and tried to inject some seriousness-maybe even pathos- I never said it was a bad score, just seemed to me to be rather mournful and reflective.

[Qwerty]

I don't think the film is too jokey though. The score highlights some of the films best themes, the space one for example. Barry seemed to know exactly where he was going and what he wanted for this score, IMO.

[Johnboy007]

The only "downer" of this score is the fact that it will never see a fully expanded release.

[Bryce (003)]

The only "downer" of this score is the fact that it will never see a fully expanded release.

Indeed.

[Qwerty]

The only "downer" of this score is the fact that it will never see a fully expanded release. 

Indeed.

Of all the original material to lose!

[Brian Flagg]

Wow, such insightful and thoughtful posts! Of course it's a shame that the score isn't going to ever get it's due!

One would think that with the several thousand posts many members here have shoveled out, there might be something with a touch of perspective. I'm particularly surprised at you Qwerty, but you only come across as a blind faith fanatical defender of the movie and score, not being able to hear the score by itself and to recognize it's own merits apart from the movie.

I'm not angry at you guys, just disappointed.

[Qwerty]

Wow, such insightful and thoughtful posts! Of course it's a shame that the score isn't going to ever get it's due!

One would think that with the several thousand posts many members here have shoveled out, there might be something with a touch of perspective. I'm particularly surprised at you Qwerty, but you only come across as a blind faith fanatical defender of the movie and score, not being able to hear the score by itself and to recognize it's own merits apart from the movie.

I'm not angry at you guys, just disappointed.

May I ask what I have said that is dissapointing? I am a defender of this film and this score. I think very highly of them both.

What have I mentioned that lacks perspective, may I ask?

Do I listen to the score both on CD and in the film? Yes, but it is always enjoyable to hear the full score alone on CD.

I'm afraid I don't see what there is to be dissapointed in.

[SPECTRE ASSASSIN]

I'm listening to the MOONRAKER score today and I've always found it to be in stark contrast to the rather goofy (but enjoyable) film it accompanies. The Shirley Bassey-performed title song is mournful and full of longing and the instrumental tracks, especially "Space Lazer Battle" and "Miss Goodhead Meets Bond", are also more than a touch depressing but the entire score, while it has those beautiful Barry moments that would appear in all of his work post-MOONRAKER, still seems to be as much of a downer as his later DANCES WITH WOLVES masterpiece, which by design was an elegy for the American West. As a matter of fact, "Cable Car and Snake Fight" would not sound out of place on WOLVES.

Anyone agree/disagree on this?

Actually, I found the score one of the highlights in a rather sub-par film. (My opinion, Qwerty). I loved the music John Barry did for the pre-credit sequence, and the gondola chase. One of his best efforts.

[Brian Flagg]

May I ask what I have said that is dissapointing? I am a defender of this film and this score. I think very highly of them both.

What have I mentioned that lacks perspective, may I ask?

Do I listen to the score both on CD and in the film? Yes, but it is always enjoyable to hear the full score alone on CD.

I'm afraid I don't see what there is to be dissapointed in.

I'm disappointed at the glib responses, I'd rather have no response at all than some remark made out of the side of someone's mouth without even thinking first.

Qwerty, your responses were answering totally different questions. Ones I never asked. You were defending the film and score when it wasn't even being attacked. I guess as a fan of the film, you always anticipate an assault on it. I understand.

Anyway, so much for a thoughtfully planned thread...

[Qwerty]

I'm disappointed at the glib responses, I'd rather have no response at all than some remark made out of the side of someone's mouth without even thinking first.

Alright, I do think before I respond to threads.

I know exactly what you mean by this thread. Do I think it is a "downer"? No, while some of the music is not as jumpy as music for....The Man With The Golden Gun for example, it doesn't appear mellow to me.

The tracks I mentioned in my first reply were to focus on what I thought made this score not a downer. The music is melodic, I just don't agree that it seems mournful completely.

I am sorry if my reply led you to believe I was simply defending the film/score, that was not my intention.

[Tanger]

This is one of my favourite scores for some bizzare reason. Sure, some bits are camp, others a depressing but it seems to have a bit of everything and be one of the more balanced Barry scores. I love the Gondola Chase music, it's a shame that didn't appear on the soundtrack.

[Turn]

Brian Flagg, I agree with you completely, MR for the most part is a downer of a score compared with the light approach of the film. It's a score that has never been one of my favorites and it surprises me so many fans love it, not that there's anything wrong with that.

I like several cues. The Bond themes in the skydive and in the Bondola chase, one that wasn't on the soundtrack with the flight over Drax's estate, the Italian one when Bond is shadowing Dr. Goodhead outside Venini Glass (rather hard to hear, though), the one in the Drax lab and the one where Bond is following the girl to Drax's temple.

However, so many others are dark in contrast like the previously mentioned Bond Meets Dr. Goodhead and Space Lazer Battle. The latter should have had a more exciting theme since it was similar in tone to the final underwater battle in TB. Another disappointing cue was the slow version of the 007 theme in the boat chase. The action cue, rather than exciting, is slow rather than upbeat the way a Bond score should probably sound.

And I rank the theme song as probably my least favorite. This is a fun Bond, not LTK or anything. I think a better toned score for such a film was Barry's for OP. Thus, MR is one soundtrack I still don't have on CD. I'd like it, but am not in any huge hurry for it. Had they given it an expanded treatment I would have likely gotten it long ago.

I do have to seriously DISagree on your comments to Qwerty. I don't think he brought down the thread in anyway. You asked for thoughts and he defended it. Some people on the thread gave one-word answers and you didn't single them out.

[Brian Flagg]

I do have to seriously DISagree on your comments to Qwerty. I don't think he brought down the thread in anyway. You asked for thoughts and he defended it. Some people on the thread gave one-word answers and you didn't single them out.

Thanks for your thoughtful analysis, Turn. It is appreciated.

As for my comments to Qwerty et al., I was referring to the other posters. That is what I meant by "glib responses." Qwerty and I have since resolved the issue and all is well in CBn land.

Edited by Brian Flagg, 26 June 2004 - 01:21 AM.

[Qwerty]

Another disappointing cue was the slow version of the 007 theme in the boat chase. The action cue, rather than exciting, is slow rather than upbeat the way a Bond score should probably sound.

That I think is a highlight of this score. It's the only version of the 007 theme, I think, that is completely different, albeit slower, but different from the other four in a large way.

Works well.

[SPECTRE ASSASSIN]

Another disappointing cue was the slow version of the 007 theme in the boat chase. The action cue, rather than exciting, is slow rather than upbeat the way a Bond score should probably sound.

That I think is a highlight of this score. It's the only version of the 007 theme, I think, that is completely different, albiet slower, but different from the other four in a large way.

Works well.

I agree, i liked it. But of course, I'm not being informative and instead being defended of the score right, Turn?

[Brian Flagg]

I agree, i liked it. But of course, I'm not being informative and instead being defended of the score right, Turn?

Touch

[Turn]

Another disappointing cue was the slow version of the 007 theme in the boat chase. The action cue, rather than exciting, is slow rather than upbeat the way a Bond score should probably sound.

That I think is a highlight of this score. It's the only version of the 007 theme, I think, that is completely different, albiet slower, but different from the other four in a large way.

Works well.

I agree, i liked it. But of course, I'm not being informative and instead being defended of the score right, Turn?

Right. One thing I think we'd all agree with is the 007 theme should make a reappearance sometime in the future. You reading this, David?

[Qwerty]

Another disappointing cue was the slow version of the 007 theme in the boat chase. The action cue, rather than exciting, is slow rather than upbeat the way a Bond score should probably sound.

That I think is a highlight of this score. It's the only version of the 007 theme, I think, that is completely different, albiet slower, but different from the other four in a large way.

Works well.

I agree, i liked it. But of course, I'm not being informative and instead being defended of the score right, Turn?

Right. One thing I think we'd all agree with is the 007 theme should make a reappearance sometime in the future. You reading this, David?

He really could have done it for Die Another Day. I'd love to here the 007 theme after not having it for so many years in the Bond films.

[agent007jb]

Moonraker holds a special place in my Bond music heart. It was my second Bond soundtrack I ever purchased [the first was Tomorrow Never Dies].

Comparing to John Barry's other efforts in the Bond series, I have to say that Moonraker is the oddball, but a terrific oddball at that. John Barry probably wanted to create a sort of 2001 classical score rather than a John Williams Star Wars score for Moonraker.

Moonraker is lush and slow and rather romantic. Sadly the LP was only 30 minutes and is completely unacceptable. John Barry's score clocked in at around 45 minutes, which could have easily fit on an LP. In circulation is a expanded version of the Moonraker soundtrack. Granted some tracks contain very light sound effects, but its an overall decent presentation. Track listing below.


01.The Moonraker Overture
02.Gunbarrel-Hijacking-Freefall
03.Main Title
04.Drax Estate
05.Drax on Piano
06.Centrifuge Trainer
07.Corrine and The Safe
08.Corrine Put Down
09.Venini Glassworks-Dr Goodhead
10.Gondola Chase
11.San Marco Square
12.Laboratory Door Code
13.Bond Smells A Rat
14.Goodhead and Bond
15.Bond Arrives In Rio
16.Cable Car Showdown
17.Odd Couple
18.The Magnificent Bond
19.Q Boat Chase
20.Landing-The Pyramid-Pet Python
21.Drax Shuttle Launch
22.Space Shuttle Ballet
23.NASA Prepares Shuttle Launch
24.Station Stop and Space Laser Battle
25.Here Is To Us
26.Destroying Globes
27.End Titles
28.Freefall (rerecorded)
29.Moonraker (Instrumental)
30.Moonraker (Shaken and Stirred)
31.Command Control Center [BONUS]

Expanded Album Total Time 58:58
John Barry Music Total Time 37:34
Moonraker film Music Total Time 43:15

[Qwerty]

Very interesting track listing for a score that needs expanding!

[PaulZ108]

It's definately much slower and subdued than Barry's other Bond scores. It's not one of my personal favorites...it just doesn't seem to suit the film. It's excellent, but it just seems sort of out of place at times.

[deth]

This is one of my favorite scores....... it really fits the film I feel.....

.......I think the the serious music fits some of the goofy on screen action...... I forget who said it....... but they said the best way to score a comedy is to score is seriously.......

[Qwerty]

This is one of my favorite scores....... it really fits the film I feel.....

.......I think the the serious music fits some of the goofy on screen action...... I forget who said it....... but they said the best way to score a comedy is to score is seriously.......

But do you really think Moonraker can be classified as a comedy?

Granted there are more jokes and items of that sort than other Bond films, but scenes like Bond first seeing the deadly liquid with the eerie backround music by Barry is pretty much serious music enhancing a serious scene.

I think the serious bits of track helped the film.

[Qwerty]

That's what I wondered also chimera, but it must not that be that good or easy to obtain if it isn't an official soundtrack release by EMI or Capitol. Otherwise I would think we would have seen the tracks by now.

[Agent 76]

The Moonraker theme song is one of the best in my opinion.. if the late theme songs had the quality of Moonraker's Shirley Bassey I would be a lot happier!

[Qwerty]

The Moonraker theme song is one of the best in my opinion.. if the late theme songs had the quality of Moonraker's Shirley Bassey I would be a lot happier!

Indeed! I believe the audio commentary on the DVD has them mentioning how it really is a great song, and rather a shame it didn't go noticed more.

[Brian Flagg]

I've been listening to "Moonraker" a lot lately, and I think "somber" would be a better word in place of "downer." Regardless, I'm really loving this score. Great late-night listening. Even though the LP/CD is only 30 minutes long, thank goodness that "Corrinne Put Down" made the album! It works well in the film (good direction on Lewis Gilbert's part; esp. as the camera tilts upwards as our beloved strumpet is attacked by the dogs) and as a listening experience (probably because it was re-recorded) I think it just might be my favorite John Barry track.

Edited by Brian Flagg, 10 December 2004 - 06:51 PM.

[hrabb04]

The theme to Moonraker is a hauntingly beautiful, very romantic tune that I love listening to on a starry night. The love theme is kinda sad, but still achingly tender and, again, romantic. The action cues are somber, very realistic, and brutal. The snake fight is a good representation of this. Don't care much for the oo7 Theme this time around. You all are correct in it being too slow. It's like oo7 after he's had way too many vodka martinis.
Typical Barry. Fabulous score, lousy film.