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'The James Bond Songbook' Coming In October

[sub]A jazz take on the themes from the 007 films[/sub]

hmmm... interesting... I'll have to wait and see what some of the other members here think about it if they get it.... not a big jazz fan... but I love remixes/variations on a theme....

This release is a major rip-off and many many fans will be disappointed. Here's what the book "The World Of James Bond Music" says on this specific release.

1965 / 2006 - James Bond & His Sextet:
James Bond Songbook

Description:
The growing James Bond phenomenon and the number of albums it spawned proved that producing anything vaguely 007-related was enough to secure a good sale. Last year, Zero Zero Seven Band showed that it’s not even necessary to include the actual theme songs on an LP, the average buyer would still buy a cheap 007 album. The American label Mirwood did learn that trick, and after a string of soul 45RPMs, they were ready to capitalize on our favourite spy. The only problem was the lack of material to be covered, they got together a bunch of Los Angeles musicians to perform 4 007-tracks and to release others that had nothing to do with Bond but were comfortably named after Ian Fleming novels. The band-leader was bassist Jimmy Bond (yes, this was his REAL name) and also included sax player Buddy Collette, Harold Land and Bobby Bryant. The session players not only performed but also wrote these new tracks, 'The Man With The Golden Gun' and 'You Only Live Twice' both being composed by Jimmy Bond himself. The LP is quite common and should be available in second-hand shops. Some copies have the A side / B side stickers switched. BMG made a CD release in 2006 with a different cover artwork (black background with white trumpet shilouettte) and different track order ('James Bond Theme' and 'Thunderball' are switched). Only buy it if you are interested in generic spy jazz, but do not expect the Bond songs.
Tracklisting:
1. James Bond Theme (3:48); 2. Casino Royale* (3:56); 3. The Man With The Golden Gun* (2:22); 4. From Russia With Love (2:55); 5. 007 Theme From Dr. No(sic!) (3:36); 6. Moonraker* (5:14); 7. Thunderball (3:49); 8. For Your Eyes Only* (3:37); 9. Goldfinger (3:13) 10. Live And Let Die* (3:13); 11. Diamonds Are Forever* (4:45); 12. You Only Live Twice* (6:10)
* Original composition, no Bond connection

This post has been edited by The Cat: 8 October 2006 - 07:37

I'll probably be getting it

Jazz with a Bond connection, I'll have to get this for sure...

hm... I should have thought of that.. 1965... of COURSE they couldn't be covering the likes of MR, LALD, FYEO...

I love Jazz. Maybe I'll get it.

I even love the jazzy touch that A. Newley's "Goldfinger" demo has all over it.

Well, I saved you a few bucks, haven't I? Call me a traditionalist meany, but I expect James Bond albums to actually contain 007 music. Or am I wishing too much?

...If you fellas want a well done Bond Jazz album, try "Basie Meets Bond." If memory serves, all of the songs are themes and background music by Norman and Barry, and the arrangements are excellent.

I have that, and it's a very fun album. As a long-time swing dancer, it's a blast to be able to Lindy Hop to "007," "Goldfinger," and "The Golden Horn."

However, as both a hardcore Bond/Barry fan and Count Basie fan, I have to say that Basie Meets Bond is good Bond, but not particularly great Basie. The orchestra was in something of a creative slump in the mid-60s after their period at the label Roulette and their work with Quincy Jones and Neal Hefti. Some of the hard-swingin' spark isn't there, and how I wish this could have been attempted when the "New Testament" band was at its height!

Of course, if you aren't familiar with Basie's history, then the album sounds just grand. And it still is good Bond, after all!

I might get this new Bond album because I'm a jazz fan, but I'm glad to get the warning about the deceptive tracks that have nothing to do with the movie theme songs. Shame, I would have loved a jazz instrumental of "Moonraker."

This post has been edited by Double-O Eleven: 11 October 2006 - 06:57

As a devotee of both Bond and jazz, I have yet to fully endorse any jazz rendition of a Bond theme(s).

Easily the greatest meeting of jazz and Bond, in my mind at least, is the dizzyng saxophone solo that can be found on the instrumental version of "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" on the THUNDERBALL soundtrack.

Truth.

Solex Agitator

This post has been edited by Solex Agitator: 11 October 2006 - 07:44