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Very best Bond sountrack !

gobirds2 | 12/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always quoted Goldfinger as the best Bond film in terms of most everything, except on soundtrack that is, coming up right after OHMSS ! There's been a long time debate on whether it was John Barry or Monty Norman who composed the original James Bond theme, they have been gone to court over this matter; well, if you listen to Norman's other tunes in the first 007 soundtrack (Dr. No) and Barry's OHMSS, you have more than enough material to make up your own mind. No wonder they decided to play an only-music theme with the main titles for OHMSS !"

Inimitable Drive

gobirds2 | New England | 05/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is my favorite James Bond soundtrack. George Lazenby possessed a rugged and determined screen presence. George Lazenby looked the part and he certainly looked like he could handle himself. It was the first film to address James Bond as a real person and not some superhero. George Lazenby brought conviction and sincerity to the role with his performance. In track 6: "main theme - On Her Majesty's Secret Service" John Barry brings all the drive and determination that characterized Lazenby's interpretation of James Bond to the role and this film. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is the closest to any of the Ian Fleming novels. I really believe this to be the best James Bond film ever made. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is filled with minute details defining and detailing the character of James Bond. We watch him at the gambling tables, we notice what he orders for breakfast, we see his office at Universal Exports, we see what the contents of his glove compartment are, what he wears, what he drinks, what he reads: we get detail after detail. Note how track 3: "Try" brilliantly captures the cool aplomb found at the gambling tables and definitively defines the ultra sophisticated world that Bond thrives on and is intoxicated by. Every shot in the film is exquisitely planned for artistic effect to create the world of James Bond. I love John Barry's score. It's full of warmth, action, and sincerity and above all it has a sense of urgency and drive behind it mirroring the dedication of the main character. Getting Louis Armstrong to sing "We Have All the Time in the World" (track 1) was a stroke of artistic genius. I can go on and on. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is George Lazenby's film all the way and John Barry methodically and lovingly gave us this brilliant soundtrack. Track 4: "Ski Chase" and track 11: "We Have All the Time in the World - James Bond Theme" are absolute standouts and essential James Bond recordings."

Could have been a 5 star sound

scottie | Sintra, Portugal | 10/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"track
What can I say? The score in the film is too perfect to be of a spy/action film. The problem is that precise score is so unforgettable that we remember better what is missing in the CD-and that's a lot! Which is pity because almost all musics are better than the others in the series. (oh, by the way it's my fave Bond mov)We've got "We Have All The Time In The World"- it is sung by one of my fave musicians Louis Armstrong- wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful theme, what can I say? Moving, tender, sad, only the best Bond film could have it.
And that fabulastic, super main theme! Anyone who watched the mov was certainly impressed by this one- no lyric, but does it really matter? Nope, Barry uses it several times in the soundtrack ("Ski Chase" and "Battle at Piz Gloria") and it always causes me chills on my spine of such excitement!!! When he uses it in "Over and Out" is also very beautifully done, it's in a more quiet way and- Makes me remember lovely Diana and Telly Savalas in the part of the poem.
There's also that relaxing "Try" (one reviewer told he could not sleep without it!), a similar instrumental We Have...
"This Never Happened To The Other Fella" is an exciting piece of that unforgettable pre-title sequence.
"Journey To Blofeld's Hideaway" is one of the best tracks, showing majestic chords of the helicopter flight to the mountains.
And the last but not the least "Do You Know How The Christmas Trees are Grown?", an apparently childish track that could have brake the Bond mood. But that's wrong, it works perfectly in the movie in a part Bond is frightened-a real Xmas tune to be listened.Adding parts like Gumbold's Office and music in interior of Piz Gloria would make give it a solid 5. I usually don't get mad with some missing musics, but... you EDITORS this time you've gone TOO FAR! Yeah, yeah, I know there's Bond Back in Action, but those themes don't sound like in the movie..."