The Bond Collection
Encyclopedia
The Bond Collection, aka Bassey Sings Bond, is a 1987 studio album by Shirley Bassey
, notable for having been released without the artist's consent, and subsequently withdrawn from sales by court order.
themes. The album was due for release 1987 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dr. No
. She promoted it on the television show "Live At The Palladium" on May 3, 1987, where she lip-synched "A View to a Kill" and also performed a James Bond medley.
Bassey decided not to release the album, for reasons that remain unclear (it is believed that she was not satisfied with the quality of the recording). However, five years later, the album was released, against Bassey's wishes, by the ICON Records
label on September 20, 1992 as The Bond Collection, and again by TRING Records on January 10th 1994 as Bassey Sings Bond. Bassey sued in court, and on May 5, 1995 a permanent injunction was obtained against Icon Entertainment to prevent further manufacture or sales of the album. All existing unsold copies were withdrawn from sale, and the CDs are now scarce. There were no singles issued from this album.
A new album "Bassey Sings Bond" with new recordings of Bond songs was recorded for EMI and was to be released at the end of 2002. Again this project ran into problems shortly after recording and it has not been released.
The vocal performance of "You Only Live Twice
" recorded for this album was remixed in 2007 for the album Get the Party Started.
" (Duran Duran
, John Barry
)
(from the 1985 A View to a Kill soundtrack
, original recording by Duran Duran
)
2. "Nobody Does it Better
" (Marvin Hamlisch
, Carole Bayer Sager
)
(from the 1977 The Spy Who Loved Me soundtrack
, original recording by Carly Simon
)
3. "From Russia with Love
" (Lionel Bart
)
(from the 1963 From Russia With Love soundtrack
, original recording by Matt Monro
)
4. "We Have All the Time in the World
" (John Barry
, Hal David
)
(from the 1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service soundtrack
, original recording by Louis Armstrong
)
5. "You Only Live Twice
" (John Barry
, Leslie Bricusse
)
(from the 1967 You Only Live Twice soundtrack
, original recording by Nancy Sinatra
)
6. "Diamonds Are Forever
" (Don Black, John Barry
)
(from the 1971 Diamonds Are Forever soundtrack
, original recording by Shirley Bassey
)
7. "Live and Let Die
" (Paul McCartney
, Linda McCartney
)
(from the 1973 Live and Let Die soundtrack
, original recording by Paul McCartney & Wings)
8. "Moonraker
" (John Barry
, Hal David
)
(from the 1979 Moonraker soundtrack
, original recording by Shirley Bassey
)
9. "For You Eyes Only
" (Bill Conti
, Mick Leeson)
(from the 1981 For Your Eyes Only soundtrack
, original recording by Sheena Easton
)
10. "All Time High
" (John Barry
, Tim Rice
)
(from the 1983 Octopussy
soundtrack, original recording by Rita Coolidge
)
11. "Thunderball
" (Don Black, John Barry
)
(from the 1965 Thunderball soundtrack
, original recording by Tom Jones
)
12. "Goldfinger
" (John Barry
, Leslie Bricusse
, Anthony Newley
)
(from the 1964 Goldfinger soundtrack
, original recording by Shirley Bassey
)
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
, notable for having been released without the artist's consent, and subsequently withdrawn from sales by court order.
Story
In early 1987 Bassey announced that she was planning to record an album of James BondJames Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
themes. The album was due for release 1987 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dr. No
Dr. No (film)
Dr. No is a 1962 spy film, starring Sean Connery; it is the first James Bond film. Based on the 1958 Ian Fleming novel of the same name, it was adapted by Richard Maibaum, Johanna Harwood, and Berkely Mather and was directed by Terence Young. The film was produced by Harry Saltzman and Albert R...
. She promoted it on the television show "Live At The Palladium" on May 3, 1987, where she lip-synched "A View to a Kill" and also performed a James Bond medley.
Bassey decided not to release the album, for reasons that remain unclear (it is believed that she was not satisfied with the quality of the recording). However, five years later, the album was released, against Bassey's wishes, by the ICON Records
Icon Records
Icon Records, in association with Universal Music Group, is a Canadian record label established by Rui Da Silva in 2006 and distributed through Fontana Distribution.-Artists:* Jason Blaine* Mike Callan* Joelle* John Landry* George Jones...
label on September 20, 1992 as The Bond Collection, and again by TRING Records on January 10th 1994 as Bassey Sings Bond. Bassey sued in court, and on May 5, 1995 a permanent injunction was obtained against Icon Entertainment to prevent further manufacture or sales of the album. All existing unsold copies were withdrawn from sale, and the CDs are now scarce. There were no singles issued from this album.
A new album "Bassey Sings Bond" with new recordings of Bond songs was recorded for EMI and was to be released at the end of 2002. Again this project ran into problems shortly after recording and it has not been released.
The vocal performance of "You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice (soundtrack)
You Only Live Twice is the soundtrack for the 5th James Bond film of the same name. It was composed by Bond veteran, John Barry. At the time, this was his fourth credited Bond film. The theme song, "You Only Live Twice", was sung by Nancy Sinatra, with music by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie...
" recorded for this album was remixed in 2007 for the album Get the Party Started.
Tracklisting
1. "A View to a KillA View to a Kill (song)
"A View to a Kill" is the thirteenth single by Duran Duran, released in May 1985.It was a stand-alone single, created for the James Bond movie A View to a Kill, and it remains the only James Bond theme song to have reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100; it also made it to #2 for 3 weeks on the UK...
" (Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
)
(from the 1985 A View to a Kill soundtrack
A View to a Kill (soundtrack)
A View to a Kill is the soundtrack for the film of the same name, the 14th installment in the James Bond film series.-Theme song:The theme song "A View to a Kill", was written by John Barry and Duran Duran, and was recorded in London with a 60-piece orchestra. "A View to a Kill" is the most...
, original recording by Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
)
2. "Nobody Does it Better
Nobody Does It Better
"Nobody Does It Better" is a power ballad composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. It was recorded by Carly Simon as the theme song for the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. It was the first Bond theme song to be titled differently from the name of the film, although...
" (Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Frederick Hamlisch is an American composer. He is one of only thirteen people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony . He is also one of only two people to EGOT and also win a Pulitzer Prize...
, Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager is an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and painter.-Introduction:Born in New York City, Sager graduated from New York University, where she majored in English, dramatic arts and speech...
)
(from the 1977 The Spy Who Loved Me soundtrack
The Spy Who Loved Me (soundtrack)
The Spy Who Loved Me is the soundtrack for the 10th James Bond film of the same name.The theme song "Nobody Does It Better" was composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager and was performed by Carly Simon...
, original recording by Carly Simon
Carly Simon
Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
)
3. "From Russia with Love
From Russia with Love (soundtrack)
From Russia with Love is the soundtrack for the second James Bond film of the same name. This is the first series film with John Barry as the primary soundtrack composer.John Barry, arranger of Monty Norman's "James Bond Theme" for Dr...
" (Lionel Bart
Lionel Bart
Lionel Bart was a writer and composer of British pop music and musicals, best known for creating the book, music and lyrics for Oliver!-Early life:...
)
(from the 1963 From Russia With Love soundtrack
From Russia with Love (soundtrack)
From Russia with Love is the soundtrack for the second James Bond film of the same name. This is the first series film with John Barry as the primary soundtrack composer.John Barry, arranger of Monty Norman's "James Bond Theme" for Dr...
, original recording by Matt Monro
Matt Monro
Matt Monro was an English singer who became one of the most popular entertainers on the international music scene during the 1960s...
)
4. "We Have All the Time in the World
We Have All the Time in the World
"We Have All the Time in the World" is a James Bond theme and popular song sung by Louis Armstrong. Its music was composed by John Barry and the lyrics by Hal David. It is a secondary musical theme in 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the title theme being the instrumental "On...
" (John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
, Hal David
Hal David
Harold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
)
(from the 1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service soundtrack
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (soundtrack)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the soundtrack for the 6th James Bond film of the same name.Once again, the soundtrack to this James Bond adventure was composed, arranged, and conducted by John Barry; it was his fifth successive Bond film....
, original recording by Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
)
5. "You Only Live Twice
You Only Live Twice (soundtrack)
You Only Live Twice is the soundtrack for the 5th James Bond film of the same name. It was composed by Bond veteran, John Barry. At the time, this was his fourth credited Bond film. The theme song, "You Only Live Twice", was sung by Nancy Sinatra, with music by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie...
" (John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
, Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
)
(from the 1967 You Only Live Twice soundtrack
You Only Live Twice (soundtrack)
You Only Live Twice is the soundtrack for the 5th James Bond film of the same name. It was composed by Bond veteran, John Barry. At the time, this was his fourth credited Bond film. The theme song, "You Only Live Twice", was sung by Nancy Sinatra, with music by John Barry and lyrics by Leslie...
, original recording by Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
)
6. "Diamonds Are Forever
Diamonds Are Forever (soundtrack)
Diamonds Are Forever is the soundtrack for the 7th James Bond film of the same name."Diamonds Are Forever", the title song, was the second Bond theme to be performed by Shirley Bassey, after Goldfinger in 1964...
" (Don Black, John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
)
(from the 1971 Diamonds Are Forever soundtrack
Diamonds Are Forever (soundtrack)
Diamonds Are Forever is the soundtrack for the 7th James Bond film of the same name."Diamonds Are Forever", the title song, was the second Bond theme to be performed by Shirley Bassey, after Goldfinger in 1964...
, original recording by Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
)
7. "Live and Let Die
Live and Let Die (song)
"Live and Let Die" is the main theme song of the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die and was performed by Paul McCartney & Wings for the movie soundtrack and appears on the soundtrack album. The song was one of Wings' most successful singles, and the most successful Bond theme to that point...
" (Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, Linda McCartney
Linda McCartney
Linda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
)
(from the 1973 Live and Let Die soundtrack
Live and Let Die (soundtrack)
Live and Let Die is the soundtrack of, and was written for, the 8th James Bond film of the same name.Taking a temporary hiatus from scoring Bond films, John Barry subsequently passed the baton over to George Martin. This was the first James Bond film of which Barry was, in at least some aspect, not...
, original recording by Paul McCartney & Wings)
8. "Moonraker
Moonraker (soundtrack)
Moonraker is the soundtrack for the 11th James Bond film of the same name.Moonraker was the third of the three Bond films for which the theme song was performed by Shirley Bassey. Kate Bush and Frank Sinatra were both considered for the vocals, before Johnny Mathis was approached and offered the...
" (John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
, Hal David
Hal David
Harold Lane "Hal" David is an American lyricist. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. David is best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach.-Career:...
)
(from the 1979 Moonraker soundtrack
Moonraker (soundtrack)
Moonraker is the soundtrack for the 11th James Bond film of the same name.Moonraker was the third of the three Bond films for which the theme song was performed by Shirley Bassey. Kate Bush and Frank Sinatra were both considered for the vocals, before Johnny Mathis was approached and offered the...
, original recording by Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
)
9. "For You Eyes Only
For Your Eyes Only (Sheena Easton song)
"For Your Eyes Only" is the theme tune to the 12th James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, written by Bill Conti and Mick Leeson, and performed by Scottish singer Sheena Easton...
" (Bill Conti
Bill Conti
William "Bill" Conti is an American film music composer who is frequently the conductor at the Academy Awards ceremony.-Early life and career:...
, Mick Leeson)
(from the 1981 For Your Eyes Only soundtrack
For Your Eyes Only (soundtrack)
For Your Eyes Only is the soundtrack for the 12th James Bond film of the same name.The theme song was written by Bill Conti and Michael Leeson , and performed by Sheena Easton. The song was later nominated for both an Academy Award and Golden Globe in 1982...
, original recording by Sheena Easton
Sheena Easton
Sheena Easton is a Scottish recording artist. Easton became famous for being the focus of an episode in the British television programme The Big Time, which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and her eventual signing with EMI Records.Easton rose to fame in the early 1980s with the pop...
)
10. "All Time High
All Time High
"All Time High" is a 1983 single release by Rita Coolidge introduced as the theme song for the James Bond film Octopussy.-Background:"All Time High" marked the return of regular James Bond theme composer John Barry after his absence from the For Your Eyes Only soundtrack...
" (John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
, Tim Rice
Tim Rice
Sir Timothy Miles Bindon "Tim" Rice is an British lyricist and author.An Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, Rice is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus...
)
(from the 1983 Octopussy
Octopussy
Octopussy is the thirteenth entry in the James Bond series, and the sixth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film's title is taken from a short story in Ian Fleming's 1966 short story collection Octopussy and The Living Daylights...
soundtrack, original recording by Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
)
11. "Thunderball
Thunderball (soundtrack)
Thunderball is the soundtrack for the fourth James Bond film of the same name.The soundtrack was released by United Artists Records in 1965. The music was composed and conducted by John Barry, and performed by the John Barry Orchestra. This was Barry's third soundtrack for the series...
" (Don Black, John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
)
(from the 1965 Thunderball soundtrack
Thunderball (soundtrack)
Thunderball is the soundtrack for the fourth James Bond film of the same name.The soundtrack was released by United Artists Records in 1965. The music was composed and conducted by John Barry, and performed by the John Barry Orchestra. This was Barry's third soundtrack for the series...
, original recording by Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
)
12. "Goldfinger
Goldfinger (song)
"Goldfinger" was the title song from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. Composed by John Barry and with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, the song was performed by Shirley Bassey for the film's opening and closing title sequences, as well as the soundtrack album release...
" (John Barry
John Barry (composer)
John Barry Prendergast, OBE was an English conductor and composer of film music. He is best known for composing the soundtracks for 12 of the James Bond films between 1962 and 1987...
, Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse
Leslie Bricusse is an English composer, lyricist, and playwright.Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. He was educated at University College School in London and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
, Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
)
(from the 1964 Goldfinger soundtrack
Goldfinger (soundtrack)
Goldfinger is the soundtrack for the 3rd James Bond film of the same name.This is the first of three James Bond films with a theme song sung by Shirley Bassey, whose forceful, dramatic style became a trademark of the series...
, original recording by Shirley Bassey
Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
)
External links
- http://home.arcor.de/bassey/info/trkl056.html