by Swashbuckler on 3/4/2003
favorite track: 11
When I wrote my review of the original EMI CD, this edition of the score had been announced, but was subject to what seemed like endless delays.
Hopefully the promised remastering of this album will have more music on it, but as it stands, though an imperfect reflection of Barry's superb contribution, this CD is a must-have, arguably Barry's finest Bond score.
Well, the new release has more than twice the amount of music the original album had, and the sound is flawless. And the argument is over. This is definitely Barry's greatest accomplishment with the James Bond series since his composition and/or arrangement (whichever story you prefer) of that famous theme.
The presentation here has what is ostensibly the original album remastered, followed by a 10 unreleased tracks. Pay no attention, however, to the comment on the track listing that "Journey to Blofeld's Hideaway" contains previously unreleased music within the cue... it does, to be sure, but the implication is that the other tracks are the same (if remastered) as what appeared on the original album, and that is far from the truth.
The first thing that one notices is that "This Never Happened to the Other Fella" ("Feller" on the new disc) now opens with the gunbarrel, and proceeds to have snippets of additional music throughout. "Ski Chase" now continues on after the original version trailed off, "Over and Out" no longer fades out. Yes, "Journey to Blofeld's Hideaway" is much, much longer, allowing this beautiful cue to play out fully.
....then one gets to the unreleased tracks. These start with the music outlining the sequence in which Bond is kidnapped and brought to crime boss Draco, in which "We Have All the Time in the World" mixes with witty quotes of the James Bond theme.
"Gumbolt's Safe" is classic Barry tension music (play this music when people are playing Jenga!) with a repeated figure embellished over the course of the cue. This track has been long desired by fans of OHMSS, and it is no secret why.... it is prime Bond intrigue.
Similarly, "Bond Settles In" has some nice "sneaking around" music, as do "Blofeld's Plot" and "Bond Meets the Girls," the latter of which also has parts that combine the familiar Bond vamping in the woodwinds with some very warm strings and harp. "Dusk at Piz Gloria" is another cue that has both tense and pretty elements that work quite well together. "Sir Hillary's Night Out (Who Will Buy My Yesterdays)" starts off with the "sneaking" aspect, but then develops into an absolutely hypnotic melody in the vein of "Try," but in this case it is punctuated by the electronic syncopation heard in "Over and Out," and is interupted by much more serious music (those familiar only with the Silva recording, which presents an easy-listening version, may find this alarming).
The last two of the bonus tracks concentrate on the relentless action music that Barry composed for the film's setpieces. "Escape from Piz Gloria" is a fantastic version of the title theme, and "Bobsled Chase" is a harsh, brassy and percussive version of the fight music from "This Never Happened to the Other Fella," with nervous electronics over it.
The sound quality allows even the familiar tracks to sound glorious as details formerly unheard come out (note the power that the synthesizer has in "Ski Chase" and "Escape from Piz Gloria").
If one wishes to program the tracks in film order, it would be 2, 6, 3, 12, 13, 1, 14, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 5, 4, 9, 10, 21, 11.
Frankly, this author has been looking forward to this album for years. I can't express how wonderful it is not only to have it, but for it to be living up to almost impossible expectations. On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the most serious and dramatic of all the Bond films, and the score is likewise the most serious and dramatic.
