Search - Various Artists :: Secret Agent File (Television And Film Soundtrack Anthology)

Major Rip-Off!

sallyjune409 | Friendswood, Texas United States | 04/14/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I was all ready to enjoy these "blasts from the past." Then they arrived, and what a let down! Only one of these cuts is an original, and that's "Relley, Ace of Spies" -- probably not what you bought the disc for. The others are covers, and don't sound like the unmistakable originals. So, be fore-warned. If you are looking for "interpretations," then go ahead. But if you are looking to purchase the real thing, you will need to go elsewhere."

"I am not a number, I am a free man"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 03/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Neil Norman and the gang at GNP/Crescendo Records serve to us on a platter compilations from the '60s TV themes, with superb and original sounding arrangements. Opening tracks OCTOPUSSY (John Barry) - I SPY with Robert Culp & Bill Cosby - CASINO ROYALE (Bacharach) - IPCRESS FILE (John Barry) - THUNDERBALL (John Barry) with Sean Connery as 007 - REILLY:ACE OF SPIES (Shostakovich) simply beautiful - then composer Jerry Goldsmith comes up with MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. classic television series and OUR MAN FLINT great film series starring James Coburn and Lee J. Cobb.A stand out - THE PRISONER (Grainer) with a Neil Norman arrangement this 1967 television series starring Patrick McGoohan as Number 6, an unnamed agent who is sent to "the village" for rehabilitation. Grainer's theme is an upbeat version of a piece originally called "The Age Of Elegance", McGoohan's constant denial from the series was "I am not a number, I am a free man".What makes this CD unique and enjoyable are the arrangements by Les Baxter, Hall Daniels, Billy Strange and Neil Norman, which is the charm and magic of this compilation. Highly recommend to film score and soundtrack collectors - a must have!Total Time: 41:15 on 18 Tracks/ GNP-Crescendo Records - GNPD 2166 (1984)"

A Guilty Pleasure that Still Sounds Refreshing

George McAdams | Alabama, USA | 05/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the 1960's, in the midst of countless movies and TV shows devoted to spies saving the world, guitarist Billy Strange ("Mr. Guitar," "12 String," "The James Bond Theme, Walk Don't Run, '64") had an album titled, "The Secret Agent File..the big sound of Billy Strange and his guitar." On it, Billy played tunes from these movies and TV shows, along with a couple of tunes ("9th Man Theme" and "Run Spy, Run") that he wrote. They were tight, often jazzier, arrangements that featured his excellent guitar work, along with some storied session musicians including Glen Campbell and on keyboards Leon Russell.Those tunes, originally on GNP Crescendo Records (Greg Norman Presents), coupled with some later James Bond tunes ("Octopussy" and "Moonraker," and TV tunes "The Prisoner" and "The Rockford Files," along with the original soundtrack tune from "Reilly: Ace of Spies") comprise this welcomed, at least by me, CD update. While the major James Bond tunes probably get the most attention, it is "Run Spy, Run," along with "Get Smart," that gets my attention because you can clearly hear Leon Russell on what's probably a Hammond B3 organ in a "Youngblood" sort of way. (I cannot make-out which tunes have Glen Campbell, but "The James Bond Theme" does have a certain >twang.< If "spy" music is one of your guilty pleasures, this CD is one you will enjoy listening to, again and again."