October 2000 Film Music CD Reviews

Film Music Editor: Ian Lace
Music Webmaster Len Mullenger

index page/monthly listings/October/


 COMPETITION - WIN a CD  

 
 


Collection: John BARRY; Marvin HAMLISCH; Bill CONTI; Monty NORMAN
Bond Back in Action 2  
  Various
  SILVER SCREEN RECORDS FILMXCD 340   [65:38]

The second volume of music from the various action-packed adventures of super spy (or should that be superstud?) James Bond.

A suite from The Man With the Golden Gun (1975) opens up with 'Kung Fu Fight/Let's Go Get 'em/In Search of Scaramanga's Island' and features Oriental shadings that prelude a brief snatch of what is a truly catchy and memorable main theme. Despite the sleeve notes telling us that composer John Barry himself was not overly fond of the theme song, personally I think very highly of it. And as the rest of the track is high-class musical suspense and intrigue, we're off to a good start.

'Chew me in Grisly Land/Hip's Trip/Return to Scaramanga's Fun House' has a brief nod to the infamous Bond theme, amidst more Middle Eastern atmosphere, although the rest is dedicated exclusively to low-key tension building. 'Slow Boat From China/Nick Nack/The Man With the Golden Gun' follows with a wistful, romantic variation on the main theme that becomes faintly sinister as it progresses and then almost playful. This builds toward a big, spirited finale to round things off.

Because of its original disco trappings (very fashionable at the time) Nic Raine has adapted Marvin Hamlisch's music for The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and given it a more orthodox orchestral approach. 'Ride to Atlantis' is a rather likeable, semi-romantic melody that lingers in the mind, while 'The Tanker' is all action and suspense and is given quite a new spin due to the new arrangement with particularly strong brass work. Hamlisch's score actually stands up very well as opposed to other experimental composer choices such as Bill Conti, Eric Serra and Michel Legrand (although of course Legrand's Never Say Never Again was a rival Bond production).

Barry was back for Moonraker (1979), although the opening piece 'Arrival at Chateau Drax/Freefall' is mostly variations on Monty Norman's familiar theme. 'Miss Goodhead Meets Bond/Bond Lured to the Pyramids' on the other hand is a fine example of soft Barry romanticism, bolstered by some gentle choral backing. 'Flight into Space' also uses voices to subtle effect as the music becomes progressively bigger and bolder. This is the kind of the thing that this composer does so well. Full of suspense and drama.

When Barry was unavailable, Bill Conti stepped in to replace him on For Your Eyes Only (1981), but to my mind his 'Main Theme' is rather weak when compared to Barry's sterling work. The song (sung by Sheena Easton in the film) was popular enough at the time though, but Conti's music lacks that underlying edge that distinguished most of the early Bond themes. Thankfully this was a brief flirtation with what can only be described as mushy Bond.

When John Barry returned for Octopussy in 1981 he quickly got back into the swing of things and the suite included here, 'Bond Meets Octopussy/Bond Look Alike/The Palace Fight' heavily features his theme song 'All Time High'. It's a typically rich, emotionally resonant Barry composition and the rest of the cue showcases his usual brassy suspense work, all of a high standard and nicely realised.

A View to a Kill (1985) featured Barry's last memorable Bond theme song, co-written with successful 80's pop group Duran Duran and 'Wine with Stacey/Fanfare/Snow Job' has a lovely, light version of that pumping theme that eventually transforms into a brass fanfare and finally becomes distinctly rocky with the inclusion of then modernistic (now dated) wailing electric guitars.

Barry's swan-song The Living Daylights (1987) had a far less successful collaboration with another pop group, the undoubtedly talented A-Ha and this spawned the slightly shaky title song, here given a brisk instrumental version in 'Koskov Escapes/Hercules Take Off'. Far better though is 'Mujahadin/Afghanistan Plan', a very strong latter day Bond incidental piece, beautifully evocative and deceptively gentle. What impresses most is the undercurrent of what seems to me to be a sense of melancholy (something that features in all of his very best work). 'Air Bond/Necros Attacks' cleverly uses the title theme to far better effect than in the actual song itself and the 'End Title (Alternative Version)' is one of Barry's romantic offerings in the middling range for him (but very pleasant all the same).

To conclude we have the film version of 'Tank Drive Around St. Petersburg' from Goldeneye (1995) which mainly consists of a variation on Monty Norman's theme adapted by John Altman. Apparently the producers felt that Eric Serra didn't use that key motif enough and instructed Altman to rework it for one of the movie's major set pieces. To be honest I've always felt that the actual Bond theme was probably the least impressive of all the music associated with the early movies and despite the fact that it's given a very professional work-out here, it remains somewhat lacklustre.

It's always fun to hear new versions of familiar music. But it's incredibly hard to improve upon something so recognisable. The best that can be hoped for is a fresh, vibrant approach. Here The City of Prague Philharmonic under the direction of Nic Raine give a generally good account of themselves, although (apart from The Spy Who Loved Me) they try to stick too closely to the original arrangements for my liking. Others though may appreciate their faithfulness.

This is actually a pretty good compilation and while admittedly there are a large number of other Bond related CD's on the market, for 007 fans this is worth adding to your collection.

Mark Hockley

***(*)

Editor's Note:

The original Bond Back in Action Vol. 1, SILVA SCREEN FILMCD 317, with its distinctive red cover, included music from Dr No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Diamonds Are Forever. Some of the tracks have never been previously recorded and the whole is a feast for Bond fans. Both Rob Barnett and Ian Lace gave this collection a four star rating. Full Review



Reviewer

Mark Hockley

***(*)


Reviews from previous months


You can purchase CDs, tickets and musician's accessories and Save around 22% with these retailers :


BlackStar.co.uk - The UK's Biggest Video Store


Concert and Show tickets

Ticketlinks

Musicians accessories

Click here to visit piedog.com



Return to Index