1942 replies to this topic

[The Shark]

 

From a technical standpoint, Smith is a better singer than Adele and he's demonstrated more range and control between registers. This is no surprise when you consider his years of formal training and experience as a choirboy.

 

Not entirely convinced about that. But maybe this is true from a technical standpoint, in a parallell universe somewhere.

 

No, it's a fact. Sam Smith has a range of two and a half octaves while Adele has two and a quarter.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I do favour Adele and her power and range over what I've heard of Smith any day of the week.

Totally agree. I love her Rumor and Rolling In The Deep songs. Miles better than anything of Smith's.

[marktmurphy]

 

 

From a technical standpoint, Smith is a better singer than Adele and he's demonstrated more range and control between registers. This is no surprise when you consider his years of formal training and experience as a choirboy.

 

Not entirely convinced about that. But maybe this is true from a technical standpoint, in a parallell universe somewhere.

 

No, it's a fact. Sam Smith has a range of two and a half octaves while Adele has two and a quarter.

 

 

She hasn't got the range, daarling.

[Emrayfo]

"The highest song ever"?

Doesn't bode well, I must say.

How so? Sam Smith is not Jack White or Alicia Keys struggling to sing in unison.

Sam Smith apparently said in an interview earlier in the year that 'Another Way to Die' was his favourite Bond theme. Although maybe that was part of the big lie too...

AWTD is his favourite? Yikes.

[glidrose]

http://www.scotsman....eally-1-3885254

Smith, that caterwauling falsetto forcing purveyor of dull, derivative pop music. Did it have to be him? I’d take Shirley Bassey with half her range and an oxygen tank for support over him. I’d take Adele for another turn despite her decision to rhyme “Skyfall” with “Crumbles”.

But Smith, that bequiffed babyface with a penchant for multi-million-selling middle of the road mediocrity, he’s not Matt Monro, is he? He’s not even Madonna. That’s how bad this has got, I’m defending someone who wrote the lyric, “I’m gonna wake up, yes and no/I’m gonna kiss some part of” (Die Another Day, 2002).

And that reminds me of his single Money On My Mind, in which he professes he’s all about the love of the music and not about wads of cash while inflicting a video on us which consisted of him walking around Las Vegas looking like he was in need of a laxative (Smith’s acting style runs the gamut from pensive to pained). You’ve probably got it by now. I am not happy.

[Professor Pi]

 

.  Still, it'd be nice if David Bowie, Kim Wilde, Sade, and Marillion got to do Bond songs.  

 

I assume you mean in the past? They wouldn't get the job now - they are too old and too old-fashioned. Kim Wilde plays cheap concerts in cheap venues and who knows what Marillion are up to these days?

 

One of the pre-requisities of the Bond theme artist is to have had a big hit at least in the last 5 years!

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

A fair point.  Marillion has recorded two songs as Bond homages as the band are fans of Bond music.  They crowdfund albums to their passionate fanbase (yes, I'm one of them.)  Kim Wilde has had a bit of a comeback since 2005, and I believe is still the best selling British solo female act of all time.  Bowie was nearly cast as Max Zorin, and if he were, was going to do the title.  I'm not saying these guys should get a chance now (okay, maybe an end credits song), but some of the artists that did get chances didn't live up to the challenge (Lulu, a-ha, Gladys Knight), and even though Madonna is famous and talented, her Austin Powers song "Beautiful Stranger" was way better than her official Bond song.

 

I don't know much about Sam Smith beyond the SNL skit that Dr. Evil took over, but if they're heading in that direction why not just bite the bullet go with Michael Buble?  Too often, the producers confuse "up to the minute" fame with musical talent.  Occasionally, there are lucky accidents (a producer's daughter suggested Carly Simon.)  Too often, it's a failure.  I like Sheryl Crow, I like Bond songs, but she wasn't a good choice to do a Bond song (though I do like the song by itself, kd lang's was more Bondian.) 

 

At least they didn't pick Taylor Swift!

[Blofeld's Cat]

http://www.scotsman....eally-1-3885254

Smith, that caterwauling falsetto forcing purveyor of dull, derivative pop music. Did it have to be him? I’d take Shirley Bassey with half her range and an oxygen tank for support over him. I’d take Adele for another turn despite her decision to rhyme “Skyfall” with “Crumbles”.
 

Not a glowing endorsement then? 

[Guy Haines]

http://www.scotsman....eally-1-3885254
Smith, that caterwauling falsetto forcing purveyor of dull, derivative pop music. Did it have to be him? I’d take Shirley Bassey with half her range and an oxygen tank for support over him. I’d take Adele for another turn despite her decision to rhyme “Skyfall” with “Crumbles”.

Not a glowing endorsement then? 

Bit harsh on Chris Cornell and Rita Coolidge, though. I liked both those songs, particularly Cornell's.

[Walecs]

I think the article gives too much credits to the artists rather than the composer.

 

You Only Live Twice is a perfect Bond song, mysterious, romantic, seductive, melancholy.

 

That's because of John Barry, not Nancy Sinatra. Had they called Justin Bieber (may Barry forbid me for even mentioning him) to sing it, the song would still have a beautiful melody.

[Guy Haines]

I think the article gives too much credits to the artists rather than the composer.
 

You Only Live Twice is a perfect Bond song, mysterious, romantic, seductive, melancholy.

 
That's because of John Barry, not Nancy Sinatra. Had they called Justin Bieber (may Barry forbid me for even mentioning him) to sing it, the song would still have a beautiful melody.

I wonder how the song might have sounded had the producers gone with John Barry's own preference as vocalist? Reputedly he wanted Aretha Franklin to perform the tune but Messrs. Salzman and Broccoli plumped for Nancy Sinatra (Big hit with "These Boots Are Made For Walking", plus father Frank a friend.)

Also, how would the first version of the song, performed by Julie Rogers, have fared if chosen for the film? Written by Barry and Bricusse, but different melody and different lyrics. Having heard it I think Julie Rogers was fine performing it, but the tune was a bit pedestrian compared with the finished product used in the film, imho. There you would have had the opposite - fine singer, but song not quite there yet.

[DaveBond21]

 

 

.  Still, it'd be nice if David Bowie, Kim Wilde, Sade, and Marillion got to do Bond songs.  

 

I assume you mean in the past? They wouldn't get the job now - they are too old and too old-fashioned. Kim Wilde plays cheap concerts in cheap venues and who knows what Marillion are up to these days?

 

One of the pre-requisities of the Bond theme artist is to have had a big hit at least in the last 5 years!

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

A fair point.  Marillion has recorded two songs as Bond homages as the band are fans of Bond music.  They crowdfund albums to their passionate fanbase (yes, I'm one of them.)  Kim Wilde has had a bit of a comeback since 2005, and I believe is still the best selling British solo female act of all time.  Bowie was nearly cast as Max Zorin, and if he were, was going to do the title.  I'm not saying these guys should get a chance now (okay, maybe an end credits song), but some of the artists that did get chances didn't live up to the challenge (Lulu, a-ha, Gladys Knight), and even though Madonna is famous and talented, her Austin Powers song "Beautiful Stranger" was way better than her official Bond song.

 

I don't know much about Sam Smith beyond the SNL skit that Dr. Evil took over, but if they're heading in that direction why not just bite the bullet go with Michael Buble?  Too often, the producers confuse "up to the minute" fame with musical talent.  Occasionally, there are lucky accidents (a producer's daughter suggested Carly Simon.)  Too often, it's a failure.  I like Sheryl Crow, I like Bond songs, but she wasn't a good choice to do a Bond song (though I do like the song by itself, kd lang's was more Bondian.) 

 

At least they didn't pick Taylor Swift!

 

 

Yes but remember that Sam Mendes said he was genuinely excited by the artist and the song itself. He wanted Sam Smith.

 

This is the interesting point. They haven't just picked him because he is "up to the minute", they have also picked him because they like his music, and they also like his song.

 

I also think the song will get to Number 1 in the UK charts, making it officially the most successful Bond song ever - even if it isn't that good! We shall see. I hope it is good.

 

Personally, I would have gone with Adele again.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[sharpshooter]

Bit harsh on Chris Cornell and Rita Coolidge, though. I liked both those songs, particularly Cornell's.

Cornell's song is excellent. David Arnold also integrated it into the score tastefully. 

[Guy Haines]

.  Still, it'd be nice if David Bowie, Kim Wilde, Sade, and Marillion got to do Bond songs.

 
I assume you mean in the past? They wouldn't get the job now - they are too old and too old-fashioned. Kim Wilde plays cheap concerts in cheap venues and who knows what Marillion are up to these days?
 
One of the pre-requisities of the Bond theme artist is to have had a big hit at least in the last 5 years!
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
A fair point.  Marillion has recorded two songs as Bond homages as the band are fans of Bond music.  They crowdfund albums to their passionate fanbase (yes, I'm one of them.)  Kim Wilde has had a bit of a comeback since 2005, and I believe is still the best selling British solo female act of all time.  Bowie was nearly cast as Max Zorin, and if he were, was going to do the title.  I'm not saying these guys should get a chance now (okay, maybe an end credits song), but some of the artists that did get chances didn't live up to the challenge (Lulu, a-ha, Gladys Knight), and even though Madonna is famous and talented, her Austin Powers song "Beautiful Stranger" was way better than her official Bond song.
 
I don't know much about Sam Smith beyond the SNL skit that Dr. Evil took over, but if they're heading in that direction why not just bite the bullet go with Michael Buble?  Too often, the producers confuse "up to the minute" fame with musical talent.  Occasionally, there are lucky accidents (a producer's daughter suggested Carly Simon.)  Too often, it's a failure.  I like Sheryl Crow, I like Bond songs, but she wasn't a good choice to do a Bond song (though I do like the song by itself, kd lang's was more Bondian.) 
 
At least they didn't pick Taylor Swift!

 
Yes but remember that Sam Mendes said he was genuinely excited by the artist and the song itself. He wanted Sam Smith.
 
This is the interesting point. They haven't just picked him because he is "up to the minute", they have also picked him because they like his music, and they also like his song.
 
I also think the song will get to Number 1 in the UK charts, making it officially the most successful Bond song ever - even if it isn't that good! We shall see. I hope it is good.
 
Personally, I would have gone with Adele again.
 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another song I rather liked was Gladys Knight's LTK, even if the intro. was a bit obvious!

Agreed about "Beautiful Stranger"

[sharpshooter]

I wonder if there's any chance we get some movement on Thomas Newman's soundtrack with Sam Smith's song being released next week? Maybe even just a detail if it's going to appear on the soundtrack or not?

[Guy Haines]

If the song has been available for integration by the OST composer for months, then it ought to be included on the album itself. Whether it will be or not is anyone's guess.

So far as news about the OST album itself, I recall we didn't hear anything much about the SF OST until early October 2012. If SPECTRE is running to a similar timescale we ought to hear something in about three weeks time.

[Guy Haines]

http://www.capitalfm...ith-bond-theme/

 

I don't know if any of you out there have come across this link? I only did by accident during a break this afternoon. Apparently "Disclosure" has helped and Sam Smith and his song writing partner have come up with a classic Bond theme with a "Goldfinger" type sound. One can but hope!

 

Of course, I'm an old fogie and so have ask the question (Assumes High Court Judge voice again, if possible on an internet post; "Tell me, WHO or WHAT is "Disclosure"?)

[Emrayfo]

http://www.scotsman....eally-1-3885254

Smith, that caterwauling falsetto forcing purveyor of dull, derivative pop music. Did it have to be him? I’d take Shirley Bassey with half her range and an oxygen tank for support over him. I’d take Adele for another turn despite her decision to rhyme “Skyfall” with “Crumbles”.

But Smith, that bequiffed babyface with a penchant for multi-million-selling middle of the road mediocrity, he’s not Matt Monro, is he? He’s not even Madonna. That’s how bad this has got, I’m defending someone who wrote the lyric, “I’m gonna wake up, yes and no/I’m gonna kiss some part of” (Die Another Day, 2002).

And that reminds me of his single Money On My Mind, in which he professes he’s all about the love of the music and not about wads of cash while inflicting a video on us which consisted of him walking around Las Vegas looking like he was in need of a laxative (Smith’s acting style runs the gamut from pensive to pained). You’ve probably got it by now. I am not happy.

 

I have sympathy with some of the opinions in this article and vehemently disagree with others. But they are just that, opinions, and not particularly well argued ones at that. The need for continual content for 24/7 electronic news platforms has led to such a proliferation of self-important opinionistas that I find the whole thing just tiresome.

 

Yet I have to say, if you didn't know who Chris Cornell was in 2006 then you didn't know music. Cornell was a very well established and well-known and loved musician from his then roughly 20 years' of material with Soundgarden, Audioslave and his solo work. I happen to think YKMN is one of the greatest Bond songs, but not everyone has to agree. But he wasn't and isn't an unknown or one-hit wonder. Pfft.

[DaveBond21]

 

http://www.scotsman....eally-1-3885254

Smith, that caterwauling falsetto forcing purveyor of dull, derivative pop music. Did it have to be him? I’d take Shirley Bassey with half her range and an oxygen tank for support over him. I’d take Adele for another turn despite her decision to rhyme “Skyfall” with “Crumbles”.

But Smith, that bequiffed babyface with a penchant for multi-million-selling middle of the road mediocrity, he’s not Matt Monro, is he? He’s not even Madonna. That’s how bad this has got, I’m defending someone who wrote the lyric, “I’m gonna wake up, yes and no/I’m gonna kiss some part of” (Die Another Day, 2002).

And that reminds me of his single Money On My Mind, in which he professes he’s all about the love of the music and not about wads of cash while inflicting a video on us which consisted of him walking around Las Vegas looking like he was in need of a laxative (Smith’s acting style runs the gamut from pensive to pained). You’ve probably got it by now. I am not happy.

 

I have sympathy with some of the opinions in this article and vehemently disagree with others. But they are just that, opinions, and not particularly well argued ones at that. The need for continual content for 24/7 electronic news platforms has led to such a proliferation of self-important opinionistas that I find the whole thing just tiresome.

 

Yet I have to say, if you didn't know who Chris Cornell was in 2006 then you didn't know music. Cornell was a very well established and well-known and loved musician from his then roughly 20 years' of material with Soundgarden, Audioslave and his solo work. I happen to think YKMN is one of the greatest Bond songs, but not everyone has to agree. But he wasn't and isn't an unknown or one-hit wonder. Pfft.

 

 

True - and I especially like Black Hole Sun. But he wasn't a household name.

 

My parents are in their late 60s. They have heard of Adele and Sam Smith.

 

They haven't heard of Chris Cornell, Garbage, Sheryl Crow or Alicia Keys.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[dtuba]

AWTD is his favorite Bond song? I'm a defender of that song, but really? Yikes.

 

Has Sam Smith even heard of John Barry?

[antovolk]

So I passed by a bus stop ad for this near the Wandsworth roundabout a couple of hours ago which had the cover art and OUT NOW at the bottom....

[mrmoon]

So I passed by a bus stop ad for this near the Wandsworth roundabout a couple of hours ago which had the cover art and OUT NOW at the bottom....

 

Are you a Wandsworth resident @Antovolk?

[antovolk]

So I passed by a bus stop ad for this near the Wandsworth roundabout a couple of hours ago which had the cover art and OUT NOW at the bottom....

 
Are you a Wandsworth resident @Antovolk?

I was just driving by.

[antovolk]

Here's a pic of the ad from Reddit
 

[Hockey Mask]

When are we supposed to hear it again? I forget.

[Harmsway]

Thursday.

[agentbug]

Oh dear. Some idiot has made a pretty big **** up. Damn, how do these people keep their jobs?!

[Hockey Mask]

Thursday.

I thought it was coming up but talked myself out of it. Thanks.

[The Dove]

Make that Friday, the 25th..

[SecretAgentFan]

Oh dear. Some idiot has made a pretty big **** up. Damn, how do these people keep their jobs?!

 

What do you mean?  Posters with "Out now" are printed for exactly this reason: make people aware, and in a few days "now" will be even true.

 

By the way: kudos to EON and SONY for preventing the song to leak early.  Security must have been buffed up considerably.

[sharpshooter]

The title song is all I'll be able to think about this week.