Favourite version of the James Bond theme?

Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
in James Bond Music
There have been a good number of versions of the classic Bond theme, starting with the original in Dr No (in my opinion, never bettered), through the funkier Live and Let Die version by George Martin, continuing with Moby's upbeat dance-type version from Tomorrow Never Dies...

I suspect everyone's favourite is the first one they heard but I may be wrong :)) . So: Which is your favourite?
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Comments

  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    John Barry's 1966 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwyYZXspIFQ featuring Vic Flick (Guitar) and Derek Watkins (Trumpet)
  • hehadlotsofgutshehadlotsofguts Durham England Posts: 2,112MI6 Agent
    The Dr No version played by Vic Flick
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  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    John Barry's 1966 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwyYZXspIFQ featuring Vic Flick (Guitar) and Derek Watkins (Trumpet)

    That's the one! -{
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  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    +1. {[]
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  • always shakenalways shaken LondonPosts: 6,287MI6 Agent
    There was a prog on the box last night on one of those obscure Free view channels ,it was about the music /scores
    of the Bond films. So I sat down with my Chinesse ,and my Canadian whiskey and coke (pint glass of course) :D
    and dam my tv isn't tuned in for that channel .But did any one else watch it ????
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  • ACACIA_AVENUEACACIA_AVENUE UKPosts: 1,775MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    John Barry's 1966 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwyYZXspIFQ featuring Vic Flick (Guitar) and Derek Watkins (Trumpet)

    That is my favourite version as well {[]
    And is available on the 1997 CD 'The Best of John Barry Themeology'
    CD number 488582-2, contains 23 various tracks in total.
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  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    Absolutely awesome, and yes, that would be my favourite too.

    Incidentally, did anyone else notice on the record label that it says "N. Norman"?
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    Mr Norman's credit is an unending source of interest.
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    John Barry's 1966 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwyYZXspIFQ featuring Vic Flick (Guitar) and Derek Watkins (Trumpet)

    I listened to this version at the weekend and while it certainly has some highlights, I still prefer the taut, menacing original from Dr No. The TND update also has some great moments, IMO. -{
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  • GoldenEye85GoldenEye85 Posts: 278MI6 Agent
    I would say For Your Eyes Only believe it or not. My reasoning is I think this version was what Rareware used for the N64 game GoldenEye 007.

    Compare for yourself:

    For Your Eyes Only:

    http://youtu.be/ZbZCu0YdiK8

    GoldenEye (Nintendo 64)

    http://youtu.be/iZy63vxe5G0

    This does hold some significance for me as this video game is what got me interested in the world of James Bond.
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  • BIG TAMBIG TAM Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
    I've always liked Barry Adamson's take on the Bond theme in his 007 Fantasy Bond Theme track off the album, Soul Murder.
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    I haven't heard that one- could you post a link please?
  • Mark HazardMark Hazard West Midlands, UKPosts: 495MI6 Agent
    I always preferred the more upbeat 7" version by the JB7 and Orchestra
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSD9uJCR2Nw
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    TSWLM Version :) But it does not make an Appearance on the OST :#
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  • The Red KindThe Red Kind EnglandPosts: 3,336MI6 Agent
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    TSWLM Version :) But it does not make an Appearance on the OST :#

    +1 {[] Fits with the film and era perfectly.
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  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I think M Hamlish said he used the disco beat from the bee gees for most
    Of the music in TSWLM. Well it was the 70s. ;)
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  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    For England James? :))
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  • Mark HazardMark Hazard West Midlands, UKPosts: 495MI6 Agent
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote:
    TSWLM Version :) But it does not make an Appearance on the OST :#

    I remember that, it did come out as a single though, as Bond '77 bought it when it came out.

    I have heard it on CD somewhere since, but the vocal intro was omitted (something like "come in 007").
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    The versions of TSWLM music heard on the album are not the same as those in the film, unfortunately.
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    They remixed A-Ha's The Living Daylights to make it more cinematic. The original one was quite bad.
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  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    John Barry's 1966 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwyYZXspIFQ featuring Vic Flick (Guitar) and Derek Watkins (Trumpet)

    I had never heard this one before. The opening is the same arrangement as the Thunderball gun barrel music.

    I've always really liked the orchestral version of the Bond theme in Octopussy and A View to a Kill.
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  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    Matt S wrote:

    I've always really liked the orchestral version of the Bond theme in Octopussy and A View to a Kill.

    That arrangement first appeared on The Concert John Barry in 1972, and was re-recorded in the 90s by Barry himself as well as Nic Raine, so there are various albums it can be heard on. Naturally I'd say the original is best, and this CD is probably the best way to get it:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Concert-John-Barry/dp/B003E73FP8
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    Absolutely_Cart wrote:
    They remixed A-Ha's The Living Daylights to make it more cinematic. The original one was quite bad.

    I see it completely the other way round.
    The album version is much better.
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  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,610MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    Matt S wrote:

    I've always really liked the orchestral version of the Bond theme in Octopussy and A View to a Kill.

    That arrangement first appeared on The Concert John Barry in 1972, and was re-recorded in the 90s by Barry himself as well as Nic Raine, so there are various albums it can be heard on. Naturally I'd say the original is best, and this CD is probably the best way to get it:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Concert-John-Barry/dp/B003E73FP8

    The version on that CD is a little different from the OP/AVTAK arrangement, which I prefer.
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  • BIG TAMBIG TAM Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    I haven't heard that one- could you post a link please?

    Sorry Barbel, only four months late! :))
    In my defence I don't log on as often as I should & miss some threads.

    You may have already found it to have a listen to by now, but here's Barry Adamson's Fantasy 007 Theme. It has a nice reggae beat but the brass instrumentation shows what he might be capable of if given an entire film to score.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWibNjWCjkg
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,863Chief of Staff
    Cool version, enjoying it right now!
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Thats amazing :))
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  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    That would be great to listen to, in the summer. ( if we get one) :#
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  • BIG TAMBIG TAM Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
    Here's another Barry Adamson track that conjurs up some nice Bond imagery. He's a big John Barry fan & the maestro's influence shines through.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQdnIaumuS4

    Also, here's Portishead's 1997 track, All Mine. For my money the best Bond song that never was.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vozNQX6Ye1A
  • Agent LeeAgent Lee Posts: 254MI6 Agent
    Seems like most are in agreement that John Barry did it best. I concur, but I also feel I should add that David Arnold's version for Casino Royale is FANTASTIC! It's classic, modern, and menacing
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