On Her Majesty's Secret Service [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack, Extra tracks]

John Barry (Artist), Louis Armstrong (Artist), Nina (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 11, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack, Extra tracks
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000087DS2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,484 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This sixth installment of the James Bond cycle was dogged by something more serious than mere creative hiccup: the departure of the iconic Sean Connery from the title role. If the film's strong screenplay and grittier, more realistic action sequences were a plus, the producers insistence on recasting Bond with another unknown (as Connery had been before Dr. No) was less sage; Australian model George Lazenby became an uncomfortable cinematic footnote and trivia subject after he, too, refused to reprise the role. But the presence of John Barry insured that the series' musical continuity, even if the composer took the opportunity to expand his palette to include the same sorts of contemporary Euro-jazz/pop influences (including early synths) then percolating through the comedy and adventure scores of Morricone. Legend Louis Armstrong forged the Barry-Hal David penned, "We Have All the Time in the World," into one of the most sublime (and unusual) of the "Bond songs;" it was the first not to be used as a title theme and marked the last recording of Armstrong's remarkable career. Thus inspired, Barry rose to the occasion with what remains one of his most subtle and introspective Bond scores. This digitally remastered edition effectively doubles the running time of the original with 10 tracks of previously unreleased cues, music that further underscores the mature, almost melancholy essence of what remains the composer's most unique contribution to the Bond canon. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Track order, March 2, 2003

By 

James Luckard (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Audio CD)

Wow. The best Bond score to the best Bond movie has finally been done right. The sound is perfection, and the missing music, some of the best in the film, is almost all here. A highlight is the Gumbold's Safe cue that everyone (myself included) has been salivating over for years, what a joy to hear it in perfect stereo.

Anyway, I've read that the cues had to be kept in the original album order for contractual reasons, but if you're like me and want to burn a CDR in the correct film order, here it is, matched off my DVD,

2, 6, 3, 12, 13, 1, 14, 7, 15-20, 5, 4, 9, 10, 21, 11, 8

Now, I should add, 8 is at the end because I couldn't find it in the film, I think it's just an album instrumental version of We Have All The Time In The World.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Barry- The Musical Genius of James Bond., March 1, 2003

By 

Devin Zydel (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Audio CD)

The score for On Her Majesty's Secret Service is in one word, Brilliant! The new remastered remixed version of the soundtrack is unbelieveable. John Barry has created what many consider to be the best score for any James Bond film.The music sounds so crisp and perfect. Why is this soundtrack better than all the rest? Simple, because it has all the right ingredients. First off, the instrumental title song, is filled with slam-bang synthesizers that actually make the song sound better without a singer. Louis Armstrong performs the undeniably wonderful We Have All The Time In The World, which is a slow romantic piece that can be heard in the film, and is now regarded as a classic. Nina performs the odd, yet fun Do You Know How Trees are Grown?
Tracks Ski Chase and Over And Out are clear exciting action music. Battle At Piz Gloria is a fantastic, over the top, smashing action track that has a generally building pace. There is also a sweet instrumental version of We Have All The Time In The World as well. The bonus tracks are also no less then stunning. There is the famed Gumbold's Safe and the cool Bond Meets The Girls. Blofeld's Plot is rather a combination of tracks that go very well together and the mysterious, yet exciting Escape From Piz Gloria and the magnificent Bobsled Chase. There you have it. That is what makes a perfect Bond soundtrack. Two thrilling and romantic main songs and the brilliance of John Barry's perfect score. With 21 tracks and over 79 minutes of music, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is truly Far More!!!

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "OHMSS," Barry and Bond, as It Should Be, February 12, 2003

By 

G M. Stathis (cedar city, utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Audio CD)

Emi/Capital/MGM Records are in the process of releasing "remastered" editions of most the the James Bond soundtracks as part of the "40th Anniversary," and they are to be applauded. Great sound and solid packaging...and a superb price! Many of the recordings with additional tracks and several with an attempt at the "full score." At the top of the list of the initial releases is what appears to be John Barry's full score to "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," perhaps the best of all of the 007 scores. This is a long awaited treasure. The sound is first rate, the packaging is solid, and the music will surprise even long-time fans. There are bits and pieces that many fans will claim they have never heard before. This is a James Bond score and soundtrack recording as it should be. Fans will again be reminded just how perfect a fit Barry was to 007.