26 replies to this topic

[TheLazenby]

Matt Sherman mentioned the possible existence of a Frank Sinatra demo for "From Russia With Love"... can anyone verify this, and does anyone own it?

[Johnboy007]

I don't think it exists. I'm sure if someone here had a copy, we all would have know it by now.

[B. Brown]

Actually...... I was thinking back, and I THOUGHT I had his version in my backup files. Not sure though. I've heard of this before though.

[TheLazenby]

Well, Matt said that the person who claimed to have it 'lost it in a computer crash'. Uh huh...

[Tanger]

Most P2P systems usually have files of the original Matt Monro recording labelled as being Sinatra. It's just a case of people either trying to fuel the rumour or not knowing who sang the original and taking a guess based on the voice.

[B. Brown]

Wait a sec.

Isn't Matt Sherman that fruit loop who dresses up as James Bond, and spies on people in his neighborhood?... and has his kids do "Secret Missions".... ?

[The Cat]

There is NO Sinatra version. People just mistake the two crooners and the P2P users don't rename the files, thus fuelling the rumor. This is how stuff works - someone invents something like GoldenEye rejected score and it's imposible to remove the myth anymore! God, I hate that.

Edited by The Cat, 30 June 2006 - 09:58 PM.

[stromberg]

There is NO Sinatra version. People just mistake the two crooners and the P2P users don't rename the files, thus fuelling the rumor. This is how stuff works - someone invents something like GoldenEye rejected score and it's imposible to remove the myth anymore! God, I hate that.

I was certain that all this is bogus, but I was waiting for your response on this to be dead certain.

Now what was that story with Sinatra and Moonraker...?

[Mister Asterix]

[mra]I

[Blofeld's Cat]

LOL!

[stromberg]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='570529' date='1 July 2006 - 00:25']
[mra]I

[alan_more]

Now what was that story with Sinatra and Moonraker...?

There is none. The production choice was Johnny Mathis who recorded the main theme, but they didn't like it, so John Barry called Shirley in the rush.

[The Cat]

As you can see, this is not the first time someone was fooled:

http://debrief.comma...mp;#entry385771

Regarding Moonraker, the two frequent names that come up is Kate Bush and Blue Eyes himself. But one thing is for sure - neither of them recorded anything. Reports conflict in what order they were offered the song, but it's sure that there was a bit of argument about the nature of the artist - e.g. Frank being the classic old crooner, Kate being the young hip artist. In the long run, the second "idea" won, the FYEO-TLD era has these kind of performers.

At this point however (when Sinatra and Bush were offered the project) the song wasn't even properly written, had a few title changes, etc. The performers just didn't feel like doing a Bond song. Moonraker (in the form as we know it now) was written with Johnny Mathis in mind and he had a shot at recording it, but nobody was satisfied with the results (at least nobody who counted). So Barry quickly called in Shirley Bassey. Here's what she said about this:

"Everybody thinks that I only recorded two, but Moonraker was meant for Johnny Mathis, but he couldn't make it, and John Barry called me in to do it. And as it really wasn't my song, I didn't sing it live on stage ever. Until now." (Shirley Bassey)

Pretty diplomatic... Anyway, even Johhny Mathis didn't sing the current Moonraker song, because there was a minor rewrite between the two sets of lyrics and a slight reorchestration. But no, I don't have what Mathis did either if it exists at all.

Edited by The Cat, 01 July 2006 - 10:42 AM.

[ACE]

Pretty diplomatic... Anyway, even Johhny Mathis didn't sing the current Moonraker song, because there was a minor rewrite between the two sets of lyrics and a slight reorchestration. But no, I don't have what Mathis did either if it exists at all.

Correct me if I am wrong, The Cat, but the song written for Moonraker was called Think Of Me and had lyrics by Paul Williams. From my information, this song was actually rewritten by Barry and used in another Bond film.

[The Cat]

Pretty diplomatic... Anyway, even Johhny Mathis didn't sing the current Moonraker song, because there was a minor rewrite between the two sets of lyrics and a slight reorchestration. But no, I don't have what Mathis did either if it exists at all.

Correct me if I am wrong, The Cat, but the song written for Moonraker was called Think Of Me and had lyrics by Paul Williams. From my information, this song was actually rewritten by Barry and used in another Bond film.

Think Of Me is one of the titles that was thrown around, but I have no information about reusing the material elsewhere - definately not in a Bond film as the story of All Time High, A View To A Kill and The Living Daylights can be traced easily. In another movie, perhaps. But I always assumed it would have sounded like a cousing of the Moonraker song - substitute "Where are you..." with "Think of me..." and you have a winner. But this part is just a bit of speculation on my part.

Edited by The Cat, 01 July 2006 - 11:40 AM.

[ACE]

Correct me if I am wrong, The Cat, but the song written for Moonraker was called Think Of Me and had lyrics by Paul Williams. From my information, this song was actually rewritten by Barry and used in another Bond film.

Think Of Me is one of the titles that was thrown around, but I have no information about reusing the material elsewhere. I always assumed it would have sounded like a cousing of the Moonraker song - substitute "Where are you..." with "Think of me..." and you have a winner. But this part is just a bit of speculation on my part.

Oh, it was reused in a Bond film. At least according to one of the directors and editors. I cannot go into details on the Net but the song did re-emerge.

The Cat, do you know anything about Leslie Briccusse's attempt to write lyrics for OHMSS?

[The Cat]

Correct me if I am wrong, The Cat, but the song written for Moonraker was called Think Of Me and had lyrics by Paul Williams. From my information, this song was actually rewritten by Barry and used in another Bond film.

Think Of Me is one of the titles that was thrown around, but I have no information about reusing the material elsewhere. I always assumed it would have sounded like a cousing of the Moonraker song - substitute "Where are you..." with "Think of me..." and you have a winner. But this part is just a bit of speculation on my part.

Oh, it was reused in a Bond film. At least according to one of the directors and editors. I cannot go into details on the Net but the song did re-emerge.

Well, if you do know more, please tell me in a PM, I'm curious. Though I warn you, filmmakers are not always the most reliable sources.

The Cat, do you know anything about Leslie Briccusse's attempt to write lyrics for OHMSS?

Not more than anybody else. I don't have a full set of lyrics if that's what you want. Here's the only hint I can give - try to sing the line "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" when the title of the movie appears.

[Fro]

The only song by John Barry Sinatra appears to have recorded is "Born Free".

Granted there could be something in the vaults somewhere, but I imagine Columbia/Capitol/Reprise have released most everything Sinatra recorded in a studio at this point.

Sinatra didn't do "demos", anyway.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Sinatra didn't sing Born Free.

[The Cat]

Sinatra didn't sing Born Free.

In deed, he didn't. Again, it was Matt Monro!

[Robert Watts]

Proves the debunking of the original question as correct. It's easy to confuse the two.

[alan_more]

Sinatra didn't sing Born Free.

Although I confirm Sinatra didn't sing FRWL, he did sing Born Free.
I have that track, and you can check it at the following discography:

http://www.bsnpubs.c...eprise1000.html

PM me for evidence.

[stamper]

Actually, the Sex Pistols were considered for Moonraker, and recorded a demo, called "Silly Thing" it was released as part of their own "Swindle", movie instead. Several versions exists. Brocolli thought it was making fun of the movie, that's why it wasn't retained.

[alan_more]

Actually, the Sex Pistols were considered for Moonraker, and recorded a demo, called "Silly Thing".

Let me correct some details on a sunny Sunday:
The song was Sex Bomb, the year 1999 and the movie TWINE.

Edited by alan_more, 16 July 2006 - 05:03 PM.

[stamper]

I was just kidding

[The Cat]

I was just kidding

Be careful what you kid with. If I EVER receive a request for the Sex Pistols' rejected Moonraker song, I know whom to blame.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Sinatra didn't sing Born Free.

Although I confirm Sinatra didn't sing FRWL, he did sing Born Free.
I have that track, and you can check it at the following discography:

http://www.bsnpubs.c...eprise1000.html

PM me for evidence.

Didn't realise you were only referring to a cover version.