Customer Reviews

The Best of James Bond 30th Anniversary

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As someone who has been a huge James Bond since before he could walk, you can bet I love every aspect of the films, including the music. Many of the theme songs to the films are classics, while the ones that have slipped under the radar remain awesome underrated numbers.

In 1992, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of 1962's "Dr. No", the 2 cd "The Best Of James Bond" was released. Itr included all the theme songs for the movies from 1962's "Dr. No" up to 1989's "License To Kill", as well as a second disc of rarities.

This is an excellent compilation that all 007 fans must have in their collection. You get all the classic Bond themes, such as Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger", Paul McCartney & Wings' "Live And Let Die", Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better", Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only", and Duran Duran'a "A View To A Kill", as well as some lesser heard but equally great songs, such as Nancy Sinatra's luscious theme for "You Only Live Twice", Bassey's sexy rendering of "Diamonds Are Forever" and her mysterious, sweet "Moonraker", Lulu's thrilling "The Man With The Golden Gun", Rita Coolidge's glorious "All Time High", and a-ha's excellent "The Living Daylights". There are a few rough spots (Tom Jones' over the top "Thunderball" and Gladys Knight's awful "License To Kill"), but other than that, it's a nearly flawless compilation.

The second disc is a great treat for hardcore Bond fans. For starters, you get several radio spots for "You Only Live Twice", "Thunderball" and "Live And Let Die", some great instrumental scores, two different recordings of the scrapped "Thunderball" theme song "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" (sung by Dionne Warwick and Shirley Bassey, respectively), Anthony Newley's boring but coll to have early demo of "Goldfinger", and best of all, Louis Armstrong's absolutely beautiful "We Have All The Time In The World", one of the loveliest songs in music.

It's true that there were Bond films made after 1992 (five to be exact). But as far as their theme songs go, only Tina Turner's theme for "Goldeneye" and Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name" (from the recent "Casino Royale"), are worth having. My advice is to get this excellent two cd and download the 2 later numnbers. Then, you will truly have all the best of James Bond.

For anyone getting into the music of the James Bond films, this is an essential collection. Even if you own every Bond soundtrack album (I know, it's sad, isn't it?) you will still find plenty here to make up for the repeat material.

It's neatly arranged with all the main themes in chronological order on one disc, and a second disc mixing familiar incidental music with recently rediscovered rarities, so it makes a fitting celebration, not just another cheap cash-in. The liner notes are a treat, too, complete with comments on the films themselves and background info on the new material.

My only criticism is the bias towards the 60s. Apart from the 'Live and Let Die' radio trailer, everything on the second disc comes from the 60s. Popular wisdom says this was the golden era of Bond, but fans of anything so enduring tend to have a more comprehensive appreciation. By being biased towards the 60s, it is also biased towards John Barry who surely deserves a special place in Bond history, but we shouldn't forget the other contributions which add to the richness of the whole story. Hopefully, the balance will be redressed if the rumoured reissue of the soundtrack back-catalogue takes advantage of the opportunity to unearth a few more nuggets, as illustrated by the 'Deluxe Edition' of 'The Living Daylights'.

On the whole, an undeniably worthwhile and fascinating compilation.

Capitol's "Best of James Bond -30th Anniversay" collection is still a definitive album...it is what an "anniversary" collection should be. Combining all of the main themes, vocal and instrumental (it includes the vocal version of "From Russia With Love" rather than Barry's instrumental treatment, and both Barry's instrumental "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and "We Have All the Time in the World")with a second disc that includes some amazing odds and ends that had never been released, this is a must for Bond fans. Among those odds and ends are many John Barry cues that never made it to soundtrack albums, including a stunning suite from "Thunderball," and several vocals that were not used. Perphaps the most interesting addition is the tremendous vocal version (by two different artists, no less-Dionne Warwick and Shirley Bassey)of "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," that had been scheduled to be the vocal theme for "Thunderball." Well produced, and nicely packaged with abundant notes and photos, this is a treat. In some ways the later, 40th Anniversary album is a better sound production (and includes newer vocals), but it also failed to give us much of the unreleased music that so many of us have been hoping for. Something closer to the 30th Anniversary collection would have been nice in 2002, but as we all know...James Bond will return.

This collection as you can see, is fairly comprehensive, but not complete; it stops at the Dalton Bond films (not that that's a bad thing!), but includes some rarities from earlier efforts such as Thunderball and You Only Live Twice.

But back in the day, the Bond theme song was always a highlight of the movies themselves. Big, pompous (often with brass sections), over-the-top, but completely winning in conviction. Top picks: Nancy Sinatra's "You Only Live Twice", Sheena Easton's "For Your Eyes Only", Paul McCartney/Wings "Live and Let Die", and my personal favourite, Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better".

Later theme songs are marginal at best, and are therefore, inessential. This is the one to pick up.

For the fans of the James Bond movies, this CD is a must! The selections are marvelous and bring back many fond memories of sitting in movie theaters and thrilling to Bond's adventures. When you hear the "007 Theme" you are immediately whisked back to the exciting fight in the gypsy camp in "From Russia With Love". Shirley Bassey still sends a thrill up your spine in "Goldfinger" when she warns not to be captured in his "web of sin!"

Composer John Barry who wrote most of what is heard on these CDs always managed to capture the essence of Bond. To hear all of these songs again is an absolute delight and the liner notes included are very informative.

Cuddle up with your favorite "Bond girl", pour the martinis [or chardonnay if you will!], put on this CD and enjoy!

All the tension, high-action, thrills and spills - it's all here. A rare gem of a CD with tracks never before released. Go buy it, and re-live those memories of that man Bond.

this is the best cd, me im a fan of the john barry orchestra. my dream is to be singer and a D.J. with the record industry going crazy with new ideas to ripp off other peoples music like sampling,loops,and interpolations .....i first got into samples in 1997 with the release of my favorite band THE SNEAKER PIMPS a female fronted electronica band with sample heavy music like their smash hit "6 underground" which embodies heavy samples of the john barry recording of "GOLDEN GIRL" i was hooked imediatley. in mine and the sneaker pimps opinion john barry is a classic composer and a brilliant songwriter. i just wanted to say thank you for inspiring me with your brilliant compositions... the next electronica singer and d.j. bridgett siroshton

Disc one of this set is predictable. The themes are all here, with the exception of the orchestral FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE theme which, of course, accompanied the opening credits of that film. Disc two is the gem. Rarities like the YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE demo and Newley's GOLDFINGER and the 007 theme and the GOLDFINGER set are impressive. Yet these are outdone by the THUNDERBALL SUITE, composed of music almost all of which the original soundtrack did not contain due to the impending Christmas season of 1965. This 20-odd minute collection of THUNDERBALL's music is so impressive and so evocative. This is Bond personified in music, the memories and thrills of Connery's Bond in a crisp-sounding recording. Though the addition of some later Barry Bond sounds and the good work of Hamlisch, Kamen, and especially Conti would be appreciated, most of this music is obscure enough that one is just grateful to have this alone. Any soundtrack fan or diehard Bond fan should not be without this set. It never gets old, and by adding it to your collection the legacy that is Bond will, in a small way, be carried forward.

This music collection stands out among all other bond theme albums, simply because all of the tracks are performed by the original title artists just as they were in the films, no re-done Bond themes here, just the real thing with added extras such as the Thunderball Suite in its entirety and radio advertising spots for three Bond films.

This 2-CD set is a must for the serious Bond afficianado. Disc two, with the forgotten GOLDFINGER tracks, radio spots, and the super-rare YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE demo is the gem. The THUNDERBALL Suite never gets old and recalls all the luster and grit of Connery's "Biggest Bond of All!!" Though some tracks shifted to the first disc to save space and the addition of some of Barry's later Bond scores and Bill Conti's work for FOR YOUR EYES ONLY would be appreciated, this is indispensible for any soundtrack fan, especially a Bond one.