Best of Bond James Bond / Various

I am thoroughly satisfied with this CD--it is everything I had both wanted and expected. Its premise is simple: get all the theme songs from the James Bond films on one disc. This is a quote-unquote official release, so it neglects "Never Say Never Again," and the unofficial odd-jobs associated with 007. Although it was released in 2002, for some reason it lacks the Razzie-winning "Die Another Day," which was released that year. And since it was released in 2002, don't expect to find "You know My Name" from "Casino Royale." This collection definitely gets Five Stars for including "We Have All the Time In The World." Since this was in Lazenby's solo, we seldom hear it; yet it is one of the best songs to come out of the franchise. Like I said, this CD is everything I expected, down to the liner notes. I have only two criticisms. First, the songs are not chronological, so we miss the evolution from the early brassy Rat Pack themes to the toned-down anthems epitomized by "For Your Eyes Only" and then on to the techno/hip-hop lite of the later films. Arraigned the way they are, you get a better overall presentation. Either way you arrange the tracks, you will always have shuffle. The second is more of a criticism of the franchise as opposed to the CD (have I mentioned how well I liked the product?). Included are two remixes of the James Bond Dr. No Theme--from Moby and Parodi/Fair. Now a remix by definition is just the same music with an underlaying drum machine, and it is done solely to be played at dance clubs and those annoying subwoofers on wheels--and nothing more. I think this was done to keep up the gala spirit of the film, and also to revamp the franchise for younger audiences The problem is that there was nothing wrong with the franchise--the six year hiatus was due to a legal quagmire and the geopolitical shake up associated with the end of the Cold War. So doing remixes like these really do not contribute to the Bond experience. Personally, I thought they were both condescending and obvious. (Then again, where else would you put them?) So other than these two critiques, I happily recommend this disc for the Bond fan, and for the pleasant memories this music will bring.

The best of Bond- and it sure is. All the opening theme songs to most the James Bond movies are here! Great songs performed by some of the best performers, and all are true classics! Of course this collection wouldn't be complete without John Barry's original "James Bond Theme" which is one of the most recognized songs in movie history. As you listen through this entire album, you can truly appreciate the music from each decade and hear how the James Bond songs have evolved over the decades. My Faves: Both John Barry's works (the Dr.No original and On Her Majesty's Secret Service), For Your Eyes Only, GoldenEye, The Living Daylights, The World is Not Enough, Diamonds are Forever, Nobody Does it Better, Live & Let Die, & A View to a Kill (Being a fan of Duran Duran of course a fave!) One Downside: Just missed Madonna's "Die Another Day." Recommended for every Bond fan out there. Even if you're not a Bond fan, I'm sure there is a song or two you may have heard that you liked. Get it!

The musical compositions have long since defined the James Bond movie franchise. This CD is one more good example, chock full of memorable songs and solid vocal performances. From the stellar vocals of Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger" to Wings' frenzied "Live & Let Die" to Duran Duran's lean mean 80's rocker "View to a Kill", it's all here. Even the lesser known ones--Lulu's "Man with the Golden Gun", Nancy Sinatra's outstandingly beautiful "You Only Live Twice", and Gladys Knight's powerful "License to Kill"--are worth the listen. The rare gems here, in my opinion, both happen to come from the same film: the wonderful ballad "We Have All the Time in the World" by Louis Armstrong and the stand-alone instrumental theme song "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". All the songs and music artists simply deliver. A terrific music collection, with more music to come as the movies continue!

I almost bought the 2 CD 30th Anniversary when I saw the 40th anniversary single CD, which has all the best title songs of James Bond, plus this also has some of the latest that are missing in the 30th anniversary. A singer for a Bond movie has to sound sexy and mysterious for sure, not just big names in the music. Duran-duran and sheryl crow are not good candidates for a bond song. Cheryl Crow number is awful, it spoiled something so perfect. The bond theme is spectacular. The best of the bond movies is long gone, especially after Octopussy, the same is not true for the title songs. Golden Eye is a master piece, Tina Turner delivers and infact, in my opinion it is one of the best ever, there is Bono and Edge involved in it. This CD is my favorite CD of all times. One needs to have a mindset for Bond music, this is not for everyone, just avid bond fans.

"The Best of Bond... James Bond" is *the* 007 soundtrack CD to own, featuring 22 tracks in total, including three Bond theme tracks (the original one arranged by John Barry and two recent ones arranged and performed by Moby and Parodi/Fair) and an additional band track from one of the films. The remaining 18 tracks are the title songs from the 18 MGM/UA 007 films, spanning 1962 to 2002. (Thank God they didn't try to include the song for that crappy phony Bond film starring Connery from the mid-80s) As you can see, this is just the best collection of Bond music, period. Unfortunately the sound quality of the tracks is quite uneven, reflecting the status of studio sound recording over the four decades of Bond films. Some tracks are very soft while others are overly loud. The older songs sound harsh. I have "For Your Eyes Only" and "Live and Let Die" (and a couple others) on the artists' own albums, and they all sound much better there than on this CD, attesting to the at best perfunctory at worst degrading remastering MGM Music gave to the tracks. Nonetheless, this is the Bond CD to own for any true 007 aficianado.

If I can find anything to complain about, it would be the omission of the theme to The World is Not Enough, but this is a remarkable collection. While Shirley Bassey's classic Goldfinger, Tom Jones' Thunderball and John Barry's theme from On Her Majesty's Secret Service have long been enshrined in the movie music hall of fame, it is a pleasant surprise to hear how Sheryl Crow, Duran Duran and others have contributed to the Bond canon. Maybe it's because the movies were a lot of fun, but even a-Ha (I don't own ANY of their music) and Duran Duran are good on this outing. This is a kind of mini-history of 20th century music from 1960 onward -- fascinating and entertaining. The sequence is pointless, though -- A View to a Kill and For Your Eyes Only came much later than Thunderball, for example. Oh well, I suppose we can program CD players. Recommended, especially if you don't want to buy a stack of soundtrack albums.

I was not aware that this collection existed. There are plenty of DVD's which may be viewed: time permitting. However, this CD featuring the themes of the films is the next best thing. As we know the background music was an integral part of each Bond film. To listen is to remember and re-live the action. It cannot get any better than that. Another great, must have CD which, I am sure will become a collector's item one day!

Though I'm not old enough to have actually seen most of the movies that these themes are for when they came out, I still have enjoyed many of them and my friends and I loved listening to this CD in high school and singing along. I'm sure it was hard to choose, but they did a great job getting a selection of upbeat, love songs, and themes from the newer (late 1990s) Bond movies. Maybe sometime they'll do a "Volume 2!"