36 replies to this topic

[Agent 76]

I was thinking about starting to collect the 007 movie soundtracks, but don't know for sure where to begin.
I would like to hear your picks and why, just to see what I could look for in them.



Thanks

[stromberg]

GF and/or OHMSS for starters, I'd say.

TB if you have a thing for suites.

LALD may be a good choice, but I'd definitely start with a Barry score.

TLD if you prefer the arrangements a bit more "modern".


Stay away from DN and TMWTGG until you have collected a few.

[Turn]

Why not go for the soundtrack of your favorite film? A lot of times that's one of the things that makes Bond special.

You can't go wrong with most of the Barry soundtracks. From there it's kind of hit and miss.

[stromberg]

Why not go for the soundtrack of your favorite film? A lot of times that's one of the things that makes Bond special.
.....

Could go wrong. It's GE

[ACE]

OHMSS and/or TLD

John Barry James Bond scoring at its finest.
Memorable songs and melody, atmospheric, Bondian cues, haunting themes.

Some once described John Barry's music to the Bond films as being what hair was to Samson.

Listen to the scores above, and I defy you to disagree.

[Qwerty]

I say Goldfinger, Thunderball, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, or Moonraker.

But really, any of them (with the exception of Dr. No's, which is...not as good as the others) are solid choices.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Dr. No may be the first one but it is not as good as most of the soundtracks in the series. Besides, it makes a lot of sense to start with the master John Barry. With 11 films to his credit there are a lot to choose from--the best being On Her Majesty's Secret Service and The Living Daylights. My suggestion though would be to go with his first one--From Russia With Love--and then listen to his later efforts and hear how he built upon his initial success.

[stamper]

Start by getting the remixed / remastered Barry Scores, they have more value for money than other discs. Those are THUNDERBALL, YOLT, OHMSS, DAF + LIVING DAYLIGHTS.

On second batch, get some remastered with bonus, like Goldfinger, FRWL, FYEO, Octopussy.

The others pick up at sales, they are remastered, or so they say, but not quite as attractive as the others.

[Qwerty]

Start by getting the remixed / remastered Barry Scores, they have more value for money than other discs. Those are THUNDERBALL, YOLT, OHMSS, DAF + LIVING DAYLIGHTS.

On second batch, get some remastered with bonus, like Goldfinger, FRWL, FYEO, Octopussy.

The others pick up at sales, they are remastered, or so they say, but not quite as attractive as the others.

Even if Moonraker only has about 30 minutes total for its soundtrack, it is still one of the best.

[Kingdom Come]

Not many seem to realise that Barry's scores to the films changed throughout his tenure. But as a film score collector myself and Bond score collector, personally, I'd keep Thunderball to the last as not only does the score stink but the film does too! You Only Live Twice is one of the best and I would start with that one. Although the flip side is, it will, on the whole, be downhill all the way after that one! A lot of the scores are VERY different to each other. I'd also leave Arnold's to the last as they all sound like cover versions to my ears, although some of his cues are NOW begining to STAND OUT.

[hcmv007]

The Best of Bond gives you all the title tracks from all the films-except DAD, and a few extras too. That's a good start. Then i would go w/ OHMSS, Live and Let Die, Goldeneye, and TLD.

[gkgyver]

First of all, get From Russia With Love! If you like its sound, continue with Goldfinger and Thunderball, since they're logical continuations of FRWL. To some degree you could count Diamonds Are Forever in, too.
Now, in case you miss some drive and grandeur in the aforementioned scores, you should definitely get On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which has lots of both, plus maybe the best love theme of the series.
If you enjoy the sythesized elements in OHMSS, you might want to try The Spy Who Loved Me (Marvin Hamlish) afterwards, which has a nice disco sound; now, if you actually enjoy TSWLM, you can go for the ultimate disco ride in For Your Eyes Only (Bill Conti).
Or, if you'd rather hear John Barry having a go at more contemporary Bond music, get The Living Daylights, which also provides the best spy-thriller music in the series, next to License To Kill (a very down-to-earth score by the late Michael Kamen) and FRWL.

There are also a couple of unique musical exceptions in the series that deserve an own description. The first one would be Live And Let Die (George Martin). LALD is a quite contemporary piece of film music as well, providing jazz and rock elements. You should listen to this if you liked For Your Eyes Only.
Two scores with some extensive exotic flavour are The Man With The Golden Gun and You Only Live Twice. These are continuations of the FRWL sound as well, but, as I said, with a different taste. I would say these two, as well as Octopussy and A View To A Kill, are optional.
One score you should listen to at least once is GoldenEye. Although I don't like it at all, it is the most unique of all Bond scores. 90% synths make for an interesting, if static, experience.

And David Arnold, well, if you don't have any of his Bond scores yet, I'd say look for the Die Another Day bootleg. It's not the best of the three, but it sums up both, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough.

As far as the Bond theme is concerned, there are a couple of versions on different albums. Of course there's the original one on the Dr. No soundtrack, but there are more. George Martin wrote an own arrangement, of which there are two versions available; one can be heard on the original release of LALD, the other on the recently expanded one.
Marvin Hamlish gave it a shot, too. "Bond 77" on TSWLM is the one you should look for here.
David Arnold updated the Bond Theme as well, and although there is no definite version on album, you can hear his arrangement over the end credits of TWINE. Plus, "Company Car" from TND could be considered a James Bond Theme concert piece as well.
Ironically, John Barry never did an own arrangement of it. He composed an own James Bond Theme, called "007", and can be enjoyed by listening to the corresponding track on FRWL. I believe the closest thing to a pure Barry- version of the Bond Theme can also be heard on FRWL: "James Bond With Bongos".

Hope this helps a bit, and don't be afraid to ask a little more!

[stromberg]

Great post.

Basically, I agree with everything. According to my personal taste, I'd take the "route" via FRWL as well. But: for beginners, it's usually easier to start off with GF- it's just more coherent and a tad easier on the ear.

Don't underestimate MR

[Qwerty]

First of all, get From Russia With Love! If you like its sound, continue with Goldfinger and Thunderball, since they're logical continuations of FRWL. To some degree you could count Diamonds Are Forever in, too.
Now, in case you miss some drive and grandeur in the aforementioned scores, you should definitely get On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which has lots of both, plus maybe the best love theme of the series.
If you enjoy the sythesized elements in OHMSS, you might want to try The Spy Who Loved Me (Marvin Hamlish) afterwards, which has a nice disco sound; now, if you actually enjoy TSWLM, you can go for the ultimate disco ride in For Your Eyes Only (Bill Conti).
Or, if you'd rather hear John Barry having a go at more contemporary Bond music, get The Living Daylights, which also provides the best spy-thriller music in the series, next to License To Kill (a very down-to-earth score by the late Michael Kamen) and FRWL.

There are also a couple of unique musical exceptions in the series that deserve an own description. The first one would be Live And Let Die (George Martin). LALD is a quite contemporary piece of film music as well, providing jazz and rock elements. You should listen to this if you liked For Your Eyes Only.
Two scores with some extensive exotic flavour are The Man With The Golden Gun and You Only Live Twice. These are continuations of the FRWL sound as well, but, as I said, with a different taste. I would say these two, as well as Octopussy and A View To A Kill, are optional.
One score you should listen to at least once is GoldenEye. Although I don't like it at all, it is the most unique of all Bond scores. 90% synths make for an interesting, if static, experience.

And David Arnold, well, if you don't have any of his Bond scores yet, I'd say look for the Die Another Day bootleg. It's not the best of the three, but it sums up both, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough.

As far as the Bond theme is concerned, there are a couple of versions on different albums. Of course there's the original one on the Dr. No soundtrack, but there are more. George Martin wrote an own arrangement, of which there are two versions available; one can be heard on the original release of LALD, the other on the recently expanded one.
Marvin Hamlish gave it a shot, too. "Bond 77" on TSWLM is the one you should look for here.
David Arnold updated the Bond Theme as well, and although there is no definite version on album, you can hear his arrangement over the end credits of TWINE. Plus, "Company Car" from TND could be considered a James Bond Theme concert piece as well.
Ironically, John Barry never did an own arrangement of it. He composed an own James Bond Theme, called "007", and can be enjoyed by listening to the corresponding track on FRWL. I believe the closest thing to a pure Barry- version of the Bond Theme can also be heard on FRWL: "James Bond With Bongos".

Hope this helps a bit, and don't be afraid to ask a little more!

Great post, gkgyver. I was just wondering what your take was on the Moonraker score by Barry (being a huge fan of it myself) after reading your thoughts on many of the other scores.

[ACE]

As far as the Bond theme is concerned,
Ironically, John Barry never did an own arrangement of it.

Well, Barry DID record his version of the James Bond theme. The one with the fat trumpet sound. It was a single and appeared on the James Bond 30th anniversary CD.

[gkgyver]

Well, Barry DID record his version of the James Bond theme. The one with the fat trumpet sound. It was a single and appeared on the James Bond 30th anniversary CD.

Ah, you're right of course! I'm afraid my knowledge of all 20 Bond scores got a bit rusty after such a great year for film scores in general

About Moonraker: sorry I left it out of the equation, which is a shame, really, since it's a great score. This is another Bond with slightly exotic music, but it's not as heavy as in TMWTGG for instance.
I'd say Moonraker is TMWTGG's grown up brother, with the Bond theme replaced by "007". Did you ever realise that MR is the only Bond soundtrack (not score!) that doesn't feature the James Bond theme?

[Kingdom Come]

Did Diamonds Are Forever have the James Bond Theme on the soundtrack?

[ACE]

Did Diamonds Are Forever have the James Bond Theme on the soundtrack?

Well, in Bond meets Bambi and Thumper it is there.

[Kronsteen]

My favourite soundtracks are FRWL, GF, OHMSS and TLD. So why not start with any of those?

Do not start with a non-Barry score.

[Double-Oh Agent]

Well, Barry DID record his version of the James Bond theme. The one with the fat trumpet sound. It was a single and appeared on the James Bond 30th anniversary CD.

Ah, you're right of course! I'm afraid my knowledge of all 20 Bond scores got a bit rusty after such a great year for film scores in general

About Moonraker: sorry I left it out of the equation, which is a shame, really, since it's a great score. This is another Bond with slightly exotic music, but it's not as heavy as in TMWTGG for instance.
I'd say Moonraker is TMWTGG's grown up brother, with the Bond theme replaced by "007". Did you ever realise that MR is the only Bond soundtrack (not score!) that doesn't feature the James Bond theme?

No I didn't realize. It is odd that The James Bond Theme is not on the soundtrack. At least we have the 007 theme on it. (We need to have 007 on more scores/soundtracks in my opinion.)

[Qwerty]

About Moonraker: sorry I left it out of the equation, which is a shame, really, since it's a great score. This is another Bond with slightly exotic music, but it's not as heavy as in TMWTGG for instance.
I'd say Moonraker is TMWTGG's grown up brother, with the Bond theme replaced by "007". Did you ever realise that MR is the only Bond soundtrack (not score!) that doesn't feature the James Bond theme?

At least is has the 007 Theme, yes (one of my favorite incarnations of it).

Interesting how you put it as being the brother to The Man With The Golden Gun. I never really thought of the music in it that way. I think a listening of the The Man With The Golden Gun soundtrack is in order...

[Mercator]

The Roger Moore Barry Bond soundtracks have a stately sense to them rather like Moore's Bond. Barry grew more symphonic as Roger Moore grew older.
I can see why TMWTGG is Moonraker's brother. It is also Octopussy and AVTAK's brother. The younger brother. They are all a family.

The Living Daylights was the bastard stepson coming into the family fold after winning the lottery.

[gkgyver]

Interesting how you put it as being the brother to The Man With The Golden Gun. I never really thought of the music in it that way.

Well, not that they're thematically related, I just mean the feel and the sound of it. Both films are colourful, with over-the-top grandeur and silly villains. Also, both films require some cultural influences, it's just that Moonraker has alot more symphonic weight, whereas TMWTGG very often relies on minimalistic percussion; it's also there in MR, but it has more gravitas to it. Compare an action cue from TMWTGG to "Cable Car and Snake Fight" and you'll see what I mean.

[Harmsway]

I would start with the very best:

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.

It's sweeping, it's exciting, it's beautiful. Easily the most atmospheric and soaring score of the series.

Other good entries:

GOLDFINGER
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
MOONRAKER
THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS


Entries to avoid:

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

[Moore Not Less]

I would start with the very best:

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.

It's sweeping, it's exciting, it's beautiful. Easily the most atmospheric and soaring score of the series.

Agreed. John Barry's score for You Only Live Twice is truly outstanding. It really captures the spirit and essence of Japan, or at least what I imagine Japan to be like. YOLT includes my favourite piece of all Bond music, which is from the wedding scene.

If oriental music is not your flavour, then I would recommend On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Another truly outstanding score from Barry, including the great title theme.

[ACE]

I've often thought that DAF has a really under-rated score. I love it, especially the rinky dink piano trickling through a bunch of tracks. The expanded edition CD is great - they all are!

[Turn]

I've often thought that DAF has a really under-rated score. I love it, especially the rinky dink piano trickling through a bunch of tracks. The expanded edition CD is great - they all are!

That was the first one I went for when these were released a few years ago. I think a lot of people don't give the DAF score the credit because the film isn't as well loved as some of the others. But I think the music actually makes the film better.

[ACE]

I've often thought that DAF has a really under-rated score. I love it, especially the rinky dink piano trickling through a bunch of tracks. The expanded edition CD is great - they all are!

That was the first one I went for when these were released a few years ago. I think a lot of people don't give the DAF score the credit because the film isn't as well loved as some of the others. But I think the music actually makes the film better.

Well said, that man! Gives the film some gravitas. Love 007 and Counting.

[Harmsway]

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER actually is a pretty solid score - I really love it. I just forgot to mention it!

[Qwerty]

I've often thought that DAF has a really under-rated score. I love it, especially the rinky dink piano trickling through a bunch of tracks. The expanded edition CD is great - they all are!

That was the first one I went for when these were released a few years ago. I think a lot of people don't give the DAF score the credit because the film isn't as well loved as some of the others. But I think the music actually makes the film better.

Well said, that man! Gives the film some gravitas. Love 007 and Counting.

Agreed. I've always been up and down on that particular score, but I've really liked it lately. The expanded album is a must-own for Bond fans.