Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clarification re Astley's Secret Agent, September 3, 2001
This review is from: Secret Agent: Music From The TV Series (Audio CD)
Although I share the above reader's love of this genre of music, I thought it should be pointed out that the present album (Secret Agent: Music From the TV Series) does not feature the so-called "duelling guitar"sound so well remembered in the Johnny Rivers recording of the U.S. theme song for the British-made TV series, but instead an equally brilliant but stylistically different big-band-style arrangement with a different (though excellent) male vocalist. Astley should be credited for having invented the "spy" genre of music virtually single-handed during the period 1960-62, though the distinctive sound was also being developed by John Barry and others at about this time. He is also responsible for the classic spy-show themes and arrangements of The Saint and Department S. One of the great geniuses of 20th-century music!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drake is back in action...musically, July 12, 2005
This review is from: Secret Agent: Music From The TV Series (Audio CD)
This is a splendid musical collection, with my only complaints being the total run time (almost 33 minutes), and the version of Secret Agent Man here. Not Johnny Rivers, and this version (in my mind) is more reminicent of Bond, which Drake certainly is not.
Upsides: Drake and Ducks is a nice humorous piece, conjuring up amusing mental images of Drake avidly persuing a flock of ducks. The harpsichord's apperance was apparently Drake's theme instrument, and personally being a fan of the harpsichord, the instrument was splendidly used. Enjoy!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
UNSUNG GENIUS, February 13, 2003
This review is from: Secret Agent: Music From The TV Series (Audio CD)
Edwin Astley was not the writer of the song made by Johnny Rivers even though he recorded a version of it.However Edwin's music can be heard on various Library discs available more or less privately. Since his death Edwin has seemed to establish a record of being possibly the only name artiste who has been virtually ignored. In spite of the TV documentary ASTLEYS WAY and my own book EDWIN ASTLEY TRIBUTE the music media has ignored his passing. A disgusting state of affairs which should never have happenned
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|