Bond, James Bond... The Music of 007
Moderately
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That is not a secret code from SPECTRE intercepted by MI6 but the legendary opening chords of Monty Norman's "James Bond Theme". With the latest 007 film adventure, Skyfall set to hit movie screens on November 9th, I thought it would be fun to declassify some music intel from the history of the James Bond series. This is not top secret, nor is it for your ears only.
Over the next 30 days we are going to listen to some familiar and some not so familiar music from and inspired by the James Bond movies. Let's begin at the beginning as it were, with the very first James Bond film, Dr. No.
The movie that started it all is also where the iconic "James Bond Theme" made its debut. Few pieces of film music are as instantly recognizable.
Written by Monty Norman and arranged for the film by John Barry, the "James Bond Theme" struck a chord (Bondian pun very much intended) with fans and other musicians as we will shortly hear, becoming as ubiquitous to the gentleman secret agent as his preferred cocktail and penchant with women. The theme, along with the film for which it was written, celebrated it's 50th anniversary on October 5th, now known as Global James Bond Day.
The renowned guitar riff, rooted in the Surf Music sound popular in the early 1960's, was played by Vic Flick (who frankly has the coolest name ever for a guitarist) and has appeared throughout the James Bond franchise. As the Bond films are reflections of the times they were made in/for, the same goes for the "James Bond Theme". It has been rearranged and reinterpreted for orchestral performances and had elements of Rock, Disco and Electronica added to it depending on the era.
The "James Bond Theme" is by far the most covered piece of music from the 007 canon. And as with the very nature of cover versions, some are as brilliant as a Bond villain right before they reveal their master plan and some are, shall we say not so much. But let's only enjoy the former, shall we?
Up first is a version by the Count Basie Orchestra.
Released in 1966 at the height of a wave of musicians of varying styles that recorded James Bond tribute albums, Basie Meets Bond delivers a classy, jazzed up rendition of the spy theme. Anything less would be positively shocking. Also, props to the Japanese YouTuber for posting this video showing off their sound system.
As Dr. No is set on Jamaica, home of the The Skatalites, it is very apropos for this classic ska outfit to rub their particular brand of spice on the "James Bond Theme". I and I enjoy the seriously sick bass playing.
Now here is an interesting number. Flash forward to 1989. Roger Moore had hung up his gadgets several years before, but, this quirky take on the "James Bond Theme" by the ever-eclectic Art of Noise would not have felt out of place in one of his big screen Bond outings.
It has been 15 years since Moby re-imagined the "James Bond Theme" for Tomorrow Never Dies, and in my opinion it is still holds up in the age of EDM. One of my personal favorite interpretations of Monty Norman's classic.
Mission complete.
The music of James Bond will return in From Russia With Love...
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