James Bond Themes

• Artist: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1997
• Total Time: 39:44
• Genre: Easy Listening

Review

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra treads where many others have gone before by recording an album of themes from the James Bond movies. In the hands of conductor Carl Davis and arranger Nic Raine, the 12 themes are, for the most part, given subtler, more romantic interpretations than usual. This is not true of the leadoff track, Monty Norman's "The James Bond Theme," which actually is taken at a slightly faster tempo than is typical. But "Goldfinger" is slower and more majestic than the well-known hit recording by Shirley Bassey. Although an electric guitar takes the melody line for much of "Live and Let Die," the Paul McCartney-composed theme is robbed of much of its power by Davis and Raine's approach, but, for example, Bill Conti's "For Your Eyes Only," with its slow, solemn melody, is perfectly suited to it. The conductor and arranger might have been better advised to try different styles appropriate to different themes, but they have created a consistent musical package of music originally written by a large number of composers. Still, there are better albums of these themes. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
The James Bond Theme	Monty Norman	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:12)
From Russia with Love	Lionel Bart	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:00)
Goldfinger	Leslie Bricusse, John Barry, Anthony Newley	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:03)
Thunderball	Don Black, John Barry	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:49)
You Only Live Twice	John Barry, Leslie Bricusse	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:55)
Diamonds Are Forever	Barry Black, John Barry	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(2:54)
Live and Let Die	Linda McCartney, Paul McCartney	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(2:43)
The Man with the Golden Gun	John Barry, Barry Black	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:19)
Nobody Does It Better	Carole Bayer Sager, Marvin Hamlisch	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:34)
For Your Eyes Only	Michael Leeson, Bill Conti	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(3:08)
Living Daylights	John Barry, Pål Waaktaar	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(2:50)
Goldeneye	The Edge, Bono	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	(4:12)

Credits

Christopher Lydon (Violin), Roy Benson (Bass), Mike Dolan (Violin), Jonathan Carney (Violin), Charles Beldom (Violin), Michael Wright (Clarinet), Peter Chrippes (Percussion), Peter Hetherington (Bass), Kevin Duffy (Violin), Joe Atkins (Horn), Andrew Klee (Violin), Martin Owens (Percussion), Christopher Cowie (Oboe), Stephen Quigley (Percussion), John Holt (Bass), David Newland (Viola), Albert Dennis (Bass), Gareth Wood (Bass), Paul Vallis (Tympani [Timpani]), John McDominic (Horn), Geoffrey Browne (Horn), David Herd (Violin), Charles Nolan (Violin), Francois Rive (Cello), Derek James (Trombone), Peter Nutting (Violin), Nigel Pinkett (Cello), Gilbert White (Violin), Martin Chivers (Viola), David Hirschman (Viola), Andrew Sippings (Viola), Stephen Kear (Violin), Richard Layton (Violin), Nina Whitehurst (Violin), Jack McCormack (Bass), Russell Gilbert (Violin), Julian Coward (Piccolo), Miriam Keogh (Harp), Steve Merson (Violin), Gerald Kirby (Percussion), Geoffrey Palmer (Violin), Geoffrey Browne (Oboe), Jeffrey Bryant (Horn), Andy Pask (Guitar (Bass)), Colin Huber (Violin), Robert Winn (Flute), Prudence Whittaker (Clarinet), Paul Keogh (Guitar), Chris McShane (Tuba), Julian Coward (Flute), Ken Lawrence (Violin), Anthony Protheroe (Violin), Peter Vel (Cello), Jian Liu (Violin), Andy Fuller (Cello), Andrew Williams (Viola), Roger Argente (Trombone), Tamsy Kaner (Cello), Robin del Mar (Viola), Julian Cummings (Violin), Douglas Mitchell (Clarinet), John Sibley (Trombone), Timothy Welsh (Viola), Peter Dale (Violin), Christopher Irby (Cello), Dave Broughton (Bass), Neil Watson (Bass), Raymond Ovens (Violin), Jane Evans (Horn)