Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 After seeing a trailer for the upcoming James Bond film, I realize that I have never heard the score for any of the films, except for the theme composed by Monty Norman. Could anyone tell what style the James Bond scores use? And what are the best ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 5,520 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 except for the theme composed by Monty Norman.Be careful, comments like that one can easily start a war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Did Monty Norman not compose it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Norman composed it.Get You Only Live Twice.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob 0 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Did Monty Norman not compose it?Monty Norman has been credited with writing the "James Bond Theme", and has received royalties since 1962. For Dr. No, the tune was arranged[1] by John Barry who would later go on to compose the soundtracks for eleven James Bond films. Courts have ruled twice that the theme was written by Monty Norman despite claims and testimony by Barry that he had actually written the theme. Norman has consequently won two libel actions against publishers for claiming that Barry wrote the theme, most recently against The Sunday Times in 2001. It is generally acknowledged that Barry came up with the arrangement used in Dr. No.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_Theme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Is there a Box Set of some sort that contains a number of James Bond scores? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,095 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 They have albums that contain all the title songs. I'm not aware of anything regarding the scores though. They're all like 7 bucks on Amazon though.I recommend GoldenEye, but you probably wouldn't like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 5,520 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 There are a few Prague re-recording compilations on Silva. I have the first one and it's good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 They have albums that contain all the title songs. I'm not aware of anything regarding the scores though. They're all like 7 bucks on Amazon though.I recommend GoldenEye, but you probably wouldn't like it.Why would I not like it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry B 49 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Did Monty Norman not compose it?Monty Norman has been credited with writing the "James Bond Theme", and has received royalties since 1962. For Dr. No, the tune was arranged[1] by John Barry who would later go on to compose the soundtracks for eleven James Bond films. Courts have ruled twice that the theme was written by Monty Norman despite claims and testimony by Barry that he had actually written the theme. Norman has consequently won two libel actions against publishers for claiming that Barry wrote the theme, most recently against The Sunday Times in 2001. It is generally acknowledged that Barry came up with the arrangement used in Dr. No.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_ThemeI once read a detailed breakdown of the composition of the theme and the court case. Norman did write the melodies of the theme, but that's it. The theme's effectiveness is pretty much due to Barry's arrangement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryant Burnette 451 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 No, there isn't. You can find compilations of the theme songs, and there are several re-recordings that offer (mostly poorly-done) versions of bits from various scores. But there's not a good box set. And how could there be? It's just too big a series.My recommendations would be: From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and On Her Majesty's Secret Service.My thoughts on Bond music through the years:(1) Dr. No: It's got THE best version of the Bond theme, but mostly, the existing CD is a wash-out. Get this one only if it's your favorite Bond movie, or if you feel the need to collect all of the soundtracks.(2) From Russia With Love: A great score. One of Barry's best.(3) Goldfinger: See above comments. It's also got one of the best theme songs.(4) Thunderball: This one isn't quite as exciting as the two previous ones, and it gets a little repetitive at times, but it's still one of the better Bond scores.(5) You Only Live Twice: Very good. Some of the more lyrical cues are gorgeous.(6) On Her Majesty's Secret Service: My personal favorite Bond score. Some great action music, and some beautiful melodies.(7) Diamonds Are Forever: One of the worst Bond movies; one of the best Bond scores. I particularly love the title song.(8) Live and Let Die: This one has started to grow on me as the years pass. It's probably not a good one to start with, though.(9) The Man With the Golden Gun: Possibly Barry's worst Bond score, but it's still pretty good. AWFUL title song.(10) The Spy Who Loved Me: "Nobody Does It Better" is a great song, but the score is pretty terrible.(11) Moonraker: An abysmally short CD, but the music is terrific.(12) For Your Eyes Only: I love this score. A lot of people don't.(13) Octopussy: Not one of Barry's better efforts, but it's not bad.(14) A View to a Kill: I like several of the cues from this a lot, but it's not one of the better scores for the series.(15) The Living Daylights: This one tends to divide people pretty strongly. Personally, I think it's terrific.(16) Licence to Kill: The score has only two or three tracks on the soundtrack, and they're not very good tracks, at that. I was never a Michael Kamen fan, and he made a very bland score for this movie.(17) GoldenEye: Terrible. The worst Bond score of all.(18) Tomorrow Never Dies: Arnold's score is a good homage to John Barry, but it's also just good on its own merits.(19) The World Is Not Enough: Disappointingly boring score from Arnold, given how good the previous one was.(20) Die Another Day: I don't hate the Madonna song, though I know I should. But the score is mostly another dud.(21) Casino Royale: Arnold redeems himself with a generally satisfying score. But the CD doesn't have the movie's title song! WTF?!?And there's also the 1967 Casino Royale, which has a fun Burt Bacharach score, and Never Say Never Again, which has a totally unmemorable score by Michel Legrand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,095 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 (17) GoldenEye: Perfect. The best Bond score of all.I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 No, there isn't. You can find compilations of the theme songs, and there are several re-recordings that offer (mostly poorly-done) versions of bits from various scores. But there's not a good box set. And how could there be? It's just too big a series.My recommendations would be: From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and On Her Majesty's Secret Service.My thoughts on Bond music through the years:(1) Dr. No: It's got THE best version of the Bond theme, but mostly, the existing CD is a wash-out. Get this one only if it's your favorite Bond movie, or if you feel the need to collect all of the soundtracks.(2) From Russia With Love: A great score. One of Barry's best.(3) Goldfinger: See above comments. It's also got one of the best theme songs.(4) Thunderball: This one isn't quite as exciting as the two previous ones, and it gets a little repetitive at times, but it's still one of the better Bond scores.(5) You Only Live Twice: Very good. Some of the more lyrical cues are gorgeous.(6) On Her Majesty's Secret Service: My personal favorite Bond score. Some great action music, and some beautiful melodies.(7) Diamonds Are Forever: One of the worst Bond movies; one of the best Bond scores. I particularly love the title song.(8) Live and Let Die: This one has started to grow on me as the years pass. It's probably not a good one to start with, though.(9) The Man With the Golden Gun: Possibly Barry's worst Bond score, but it's still pretty good. AWFUL title song.(10) The Spy Who Loved Me: "Nobody Does It Better" is a great song, but the score is pretty terrible.(11) Moonraker: An abysmally short CD, but the music is terrific.(12) For Your Eyes Only: I love this score. A lot of people don't.(13) Octopussy: Not one of Barry's better efforts, but it's not bad.(14) A View to a Kill: I like several of the cues from this a lot, but it's not one of the better scores for the series.(15) The Living Daylights: This one tends to divide people pretty strongly. Personally, I think it's terrific.(16) Licence to Kill: The score has only two or three tracks on the soundtrack, and they're not very good tracks, at that. I was never a Michael Kamen fan, and he made a very bland score for this movie.(17) GoldenEye: Terrible. The worst Bond score of all.(18) Tomorrow Never Dies: Arnold's score is a good homage to John Barry, but it's also just good on its own merits.(19) The World Is Not Enough: Disappointingly boring score from Arnold, given how good the previous one was.(20) Die Another Day: I don't hate the Madonna song, though I know I should. But the score is mostly another dud.(21) Casino Royale: Arnold redeems himself with a generally satisfying score. But the CD doesn't have the movie's title song! WTF?!?And there's also the 1967 Casino Royale, which has a fun Burt Bacharach score, and Never Say Never Again, which has a totally unmemorable score by Michel Legrand.Hm. Thank you for that. Are you saying that I should purchase the John Barry scores first? Also, I do not mind the absence of the songs from the films. They are not bad, usually, but I would rather listen to the score. Wait, how long are the John Barry scores? I do not want to purchase ten minutes of music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry B 49 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Dude. You can't listen to Bond without the songs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 They are all ingrained into my mind, anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 1,931 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 My recommendations would be: From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and On Her Majesty's Secret Service.Pretty much my recommendation as well, though I would also add You Only Live Twice. All of these scores are quite inexpensive, namely on Amazon marketplace and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,095 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 They range between $7 and $12 brand new from Amazon, don't even need to go to the marketplace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 I noticed. I am going to purchase From Russia With Love first (it is my favorite James Bond film) first. How is the Disc, does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaderbait1 1 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Bond has some great scores. I'd recommend listening to all of them.They often have a "flavor" depending on the era they were made in.Best ones (off the top of my head, I'm probably missing some)From Russia With LoveYou Only Live TwiceLive and Let DieTomorrow Never DiesWorld Is Not EnoughLicense to KillLiving DaylightsLicense to Kill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 How long is "From Russia With Love", would anyone answer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry B 49 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Do you ever stop asking questions? You could really look this stuff up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Do you ever stop asking questions? You could really look this stuff up.Ther is nothing wrong with learning. Which is basically an excuse that translates to: "I am too lazy". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry B 49 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 And a lot of us are too lazy to answer your questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,017 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 Ho ho. Do I sense a rebuke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Get You Only Live Twice.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I would go with On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 That's an excellent score.I prefer You Only Live Twice.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desplat13 1 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I downloaded this, and have enjoyed it greatly. Because it is all the Bond music I have, I cannot compare it to anything else. But I like it a lot. And it seems to be a very good introduction to the franchise musically, giving main themes and a track or two from each movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 (17) GoldenEye: Perfect. The best Bond score of all.I agree."For me to poop on."Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,765 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I'd say get the bloody lot of them. They're only cheap on Amazon.But ones I'd personally recommend are From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, Moonraker, Octopussy, A View To A Kill and The Living Daylights.Only get The Spy Who Loved Me for the single "Nobody Does It Better", which is fantastic. But Hamlisch's score is... well... an acquired taste, so approach with caution. Live And Let Die has a great song, and George Martin does a pretty good job emulating John Barry, so it's pretty seamless with the surrounding scores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 I would go with On Her Majesty's Secret Service.The expanded score is a bit boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neimoidian 13 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 If you don't want to buy the whole collection, I recommend you to go for this box:It's a terrific 4cd-compilation with very good rerecordings done by Nic Raine himself and it contains most of the best cues from these scores (especially from the Barry's ones) along with themes from the unofficial Bonds, film version of the tank chase music from GoldenEye and an extended version of Arnold's finale cue from Die Another Day. My only complain is the lack of any Serra's cue - the love theme or instrumental Experience of love would do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Villainous 0 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Hm. Thank you for that. Are you saying that I should purchase the John Barry scores first? Also, I do not mind the absence of the songs from the films. They are not bad, usually, but I would rather listen to the score. Wait, how long are the John Barry scores? I do not want to purchase ten minutes of music.I'd agree... Go for soundtracks like 'From Russia With Love', 'Goldfinger' and 'Thunderball', in the first instance and see if you like them.Also, in reference to your question "Should I purchase the John Barry scores first"? Of course you should. It would be a bit like wanting to start a collection of Star Wars music and starting with the soundtrack for 'The Clone Wars' and 'Shadows of the Empire' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,765 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 A View To A Kill and The Living Daylights are must-haves, showcasing Barry's maturity with the Bond scores; the latter in particular has some terrific variations on the 007 theme. You'd have to be a real stiff not to get a kick out of the Duran Duran song, and the others by a-ha and The Pretenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Change A View To A Kill with Moonraker and i'll agree with you.the latter in particular has some terrific variations on the 007 theme.That is actually not true, 007 is this piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,765 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Ah, I stand coo7rrected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Get You Only Live Twice.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 (19) The World Is Not Enough: Disappointingly boring score from Arnold, given how good the previous one was.It is absolutely not boring in any way. Probably the best Arnold/Bond score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryant Burnette 451 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 (19) The World Is Not Enough: Disappointingly boring score from Arnold, given how good the previous one was.It is absolutely not boring in any way. Probably the best Arnold/Bond score.The boredom that has popped up every single time I've listened to that score begs to differ with you.It's not bad, though (like, say, the wretched GoldenEye). Just not a score that I particuarly enjoy listening to. And yet, I slog through the entire Bond collection once or twice a year and never skip it, so who knows, maybe I'll develop a liking for it some day. More than I can say for GoldenEye.How long is "From Russia With Love", would anyone answer?Can't say for sure, but it's fairly short.If you get any of the following -- Dr. No; From Russia With Love; Goldfinger; Thunderball; You Only Live Twice; On Her Majesty's Secret Service; Diamonds Are Forever; Live and Let Die -- then MAKE SURE you get the remastered editions that came out in the '00s. (There are several more, as well: Moonraker, A View to a Kill, The Man With the Golden Gun, and The Spy Who Loved Me, I think, but I haven't upgraded any of those yet and can't remember which ones exist and which don't!) The remastered editions are much better, and several of them feature numerous tracks that aren't on previous editions of the soundtracks.None of these things are particularly expensive, and by this point they're probably easier to find than the original CDs, anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Wow, $8.97 is a good price for this.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 859 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Yes I recommend You Only Live Twice after you buy OHMSS. I'd also recommend The Living Daylights, Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Casino Royale and Thunderball.Goldeneye is atrocious, the worst Bond score ever written. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 1,931 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 OHMSS is the best Bond score ever written, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 5,520 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 OHMSS is very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wycket 36 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Yeah, any true Bond fan will tell you that OHMSS is just James Bond at his best. I've longed loved the movie and the score is nearly perfect. If you want an example of what Bond music at its best is, than OHMSS should definitely be in your collection. IMO....Top 5 Bond Scores1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service2. The Living Daylights3. You Only Live Twice4. Goldfinger5. Casino RoyaleBottom 5 Bond Scores5. Doctor No4. The Spy Who Loved Me3. The World Is Not Enough2. Die Another Day1. GoldenEye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,765 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Wow, $8.97 is a good price for this.NeilYou're very fond of that score. With good reason, of course. The song is a sexy masterpiece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryant Burnette 451 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Bottom 5 Bond Scores5. Doctor No4. The Spy Who Loved Me3. The World Is Not Enough2. Die Another Day1. GoldenEyeMostly, I've got no issues with that list. However, let's bear in mind that Dr. No produced one of the most famous pieces of music written last century. Just for that, I think Dr. No's score probably doesn't belong on that list. I'd substitute Licence to Kill. But that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker 5 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Wow, $8.97 is a good price for this.NeilYou're very fond of that score. With good reason, of course. The song is a sexy masterpiece.It's my favorite. I recently re-did my chronological assembly of it and have been playing it non-stop in my car. It totally holds up. That's not to take anything away from OHMSS, but YOLT has something special for me and I just can't get enough of it.Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,765 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm watching the movie right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 It's my favorite. I recently re-did my chronological assembly of it and have been playing it non-stop in my car. It totally holds up. That's not to take anything away from OHMSS, but YOLT has something special for me and I just can't get enough of it.NeilWhat did you redo, if I might ask?Did you make any changes compared to the list you put up years ago? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neimoidian 13 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 What's so much wrong with The World Is Not Enough...? Surely it's not the best score, but it has good song with catchy main theme nicely woven into the underscore, great love theme (both in it's original and jazzy form, not to mention the interesting bonus song at the end), solid action writing and couple of interesting underscore cues (like Access Denied and Body Double...).Chris - also a David Arnold fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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