Artists: Various
Release Date: October 9, 2012
Number of Discs: 2
Label: Capitol/EMI
Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars
2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic James Bond film franchise. While we are all highly anticipating the release of the 23rd Bond film “Skyfall”. Capitol/EMI is releasing “Best Of Bond… James Bond”, which is a collection of 50 years of music over 50 tracks, all digitally remastered. If you are looking for all the memorable theme songs from all 22 official Bond films, then this is the release for you! I am not sure why Adele’s new song from “Skyfall” is M.IA., since it is being released during the 50th anniversary celebration. I have always loved these themes, they also perfectly set the stage for the films and were always fun. If you are a Bond fan this is a must though if you own these already from previous editions, then there is no real draw for this otherwise being a collector.
This release is available in a 23-track single-disc edition and 50 track deluxe edition. Both editions feature all the themes 22 Bond films released since 1962. The cover art is a really cool looking Bond “Golden Girl” and the official 50th anniversary logo. The expanded edition adds several score pieces from The John Barry Orchestra and other original songs heard in the films by Dame Shirley Bassey, Marvin Hamlisch, The Pretenders, Moby, k.d. lang, David Arnold, and others. Honestly, I had a real issue with the second disc. The tracks were not that sharp and overall the songs didn’t really put me in the mood for Bond. The first disc is really where the best tracks are for this release, I wouldn’t give the second disc even a second listen. But I am sure that mega-Bond fans would be excited to get all these tracks in one place for the first time.
Track Listings:
DISC ONE
1. James Bond Theme – The John Barry Orchestra [from Dr. No, 1962]
2. From Russia With Love – Matt Monro [from From Russia With Love, 1963]
3. Goldfinger – Shirley Bassey [from Goldfinger, 1964]
4. Thunderball – Tom Jones [from Thunderball, 1965]
5. You Only Live Twice – Nancy Sinatra [from You Only Live Twice, 1967]
6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – The John Barry Orchestra [from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969]
7. We Have All The Time In The World – Louis Armstrong [from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969]
8. Diamonds Are Forever – Shirley Bassey [from Diamonds Are Forever, 1971]
9. Live And Let Die – Paul McCartney & Wings [from Live And Let Die, 1973]
10. The Man With The Golden Gun – Lulu [from The Man With The Golden Gun, 1974]
11. Nobody Does It Better – Carly Simon [from The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977]
12. Moonraker – Shirley Bassey [from Moonraker, 1979]
13. For Your Eyes Only – Sheena Easton [from For Your Eyes Only, 1981]
14. All Time High – Rita Coolidge [from Octopussy, 1983]
15. A View To A Kill – Duran Duran [from A View To A Kill, 1985]
16. The Living Daylights – A-Ha [from The Living Daylights, 1987]
17. Licence To Kill – Gladys Knight [from Licence To Kill, 1989]
18. GoldenEye (Single Edit) – Tina Turner [from GoldenEye, 1995]
19. Tomorrow Never Dies – Sheryl Crow [from Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997]
20. The World Is Not Enough – Garbage [from The World Is Not Enough, 1999]
21. Die Another Day – Madonna [from Die Another Day, 2002]
22. You Know My Name – Chris Cornell [from Casino Royale, 2006]
23. Another Way To Die – Jack White & Alicia Keys [from Quantum Of Solace, 2008]
DISC TWO
1. Dr. No’s Fantasy – The Monty Norman Orchestra [from Dr. No, 1962]
2. Under The Mango Tree – Diana Coupland [from Dr. No, 1962]
3. 007 – The John Barry Orchestra [from From Russia With Love, 1963]
4. Opening Titles (Medley): James Bond Is Back/From Russia With Love/James Bond Theme – The John Barry Orchestra [from From Russia With Love, 1963]
5. Into Miami – The John Barry Orchestra [from Goldfinger, 1964]
6. The Laser Beam – The John Barry Orchestra [from Goldfinger, 1964]
7. Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Shirley Bassey [submitted for Thunderball but not included in film, 1965]
8. Switching The Body – The John Barry Orchestra [from Thunderball, 1965]
9. Capsule in Space – The John Barry Orchestra [from You Only Live Twice, 1967]
10. Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown – Nina [from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969]
11. Bond Smells a Rat – The John Barry Orchestra [from Diamonds Are Forever, 1971]
12. Fillet Of Soul-New Orleans/Live And Let Die/Fillet Of Soul-Harlem (Medley) – The George Martin Orchestra featuring B.J. Arnau [from Live And Let Die, 1973]
13. Underground Lair – The John Barry Orchestra [from Live And Let Die, 1973]
14. Hip’s Trip – The John Barry Orchestra [from The Man With The Golden Gun, 1974]
15. The Pyramids – Marvin Hamlisch [from The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977]
16. Cable Car And Snake Fight – The John Barry Orchestra [from Moonraker, 1979]
17. Make It Last All Night – Bill Conti featuring Rage [from For Your Eyes Only, 1981]
18. The Chase Bomb Theme – The John Barry Orchestra [from Octopussy, 1983]
19. Snow Job – The John Barry Orchestra [from A View To A Kill, 1985]
20. Where Has Everybody Gone – The Pretenders [from The Living Daylights, 1987]
21. If There Was a Man – The Pretenders [closing credits song from The Living Daylights, 1987]
22. The Experience Of Love – Eric Serra [from GoldenEye, 1995]
23. James Bond Theme – Moby (Moby’s Re-Version) [inspired by the UA motion picture Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997]
24. Surrender – k.d. lang [closing credits song from Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997]
25. Only Myself To Blame – Scott Walker [from The World Is Not Enough, 1999]
26. Vesper – David Arnold [from Casino Royale, 2006]
27. Time To Get Out – David Arnold [from Quantum Of Solace, 2008]
