Customer Reviews

The Pink Panther and Other Famous Spy Themes

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Having a special interest in the TV spy genre of the 60s - including "The Saint", "Mission:Impossible", & "The Avengers" - & liking much of the TV themes composed for such, I thought that this CD was the answer. Most compilations that offer these make the listener thrash through old Saturday morning cartoon themes, as well. At the outset, the only fault I could see with this one was including the COP show "Charlie's Angels", on a "spy themes" compilation (???). This may seem odd, but the adapted film had been released near this time, so... there you go. Anyway, was I EVER wrong to pick this one!!! These are the worst tinny-sounding adaptations of these themes available, bar none. All are given a really cheap sound reminiscent of bad AM radio mixed with the worst possible techno. "Soul Bossa Nova", the Quincy Jones latin-lounge composition here subtitled "from Austin Powers", is that catchy theme (used some 30 years after its inception) from the spy spoof. The purchaser would do best to buy the soundtrack if you like this, though, or the Quincy Jones "Bossa Nova" album from the 60s. The "Dr.No Theme" is included, although that film only introduced the "James Bond Theme", which is also here ... oddly enough. You ask why, perhaps? Well, they're one and the same, with a slight techno tweak here-and BOTH, sadly, are pretty awful. The more recent "Theme from the Incredibles" is the only post 60s theme besides "Charlie's Angels" - & is incredibly forgettable. The only two tunes here of any interest, whatsoever, are due to the laughs they may bring: "Goldfinger", with a pseudo-operatic female singing like she's straight out of a Marx Brothers film, and, ironically, "Charlie's Angels", which actually seems sort of funky, fitting its 70s roots. Since no one had, apparently, purchased this previously & there were no tracks to listen to, I thought I should take the time to give fair warning: STAY AWAY!!! You may have to buy a few TV compilations to get the better spy themes, but then you can "produce" your own spy CD, along with maybe a few other cool 60s themes, like the original version of "Bewitched"(the never to be broadcast version is on one of those TV compilations-and it is JAZZY). Just don't buy this!

Well done album with theme songs from some of our favorite spy shows and movies. It's great driving music or to listen to while working! Quality sound.