Spy Music
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Spy music is not the same as crime and suspense. In the first place, most of the classic crime themes preceded the James Bond films. And without James Bond films and John Barry, there might have been very few spy themes. Crime music is staccato, as in Johnny Staccato, very choppy, or melancholy and cool. Crime is always urban and usually jazz. Spy themes, on the other hand, are all orchestral grandeur. Strong brass and string sections, soaring past a rhythm suggestive of nimble sports cars, give rise to a bombastic expression of worldliness (or sex). Spy music is rarely subtle or quiet, even when a thrush is pausing for breath or effect. And a guitar is likely to plant the orchestra firmly in the 1960s. Spies and "eyes" travel in different circles--described by different music. To most people, spy music is simply the James Bond soundtracks. Everyone has heard Shirley Bassey belt out "Goldfinger" a hundred times. But how many have heard her sing "The Liquidator" from the soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin? The Bond films inspired not just many more spy films but also a spate of spy-movie spoofs. James Bond films account for just a few of the soundtracks. And beyond soundtracks, there is the same sound in less likely. Tunes on all sorts of other albums from the period, recorded perhaps with no thought of spies or spy movies whatsoever, turn out in retrospect to be very "spy." Buying: Spy music largely is overrated, but at least guns and bikinis never go out of style. Some of the jazzier budget-label records are better than some of the higher-profile soundtracks. The code is only partly cracked below. |
Spy LPs
| Rating | |
| 5 | Don Adams: Get Smart; United Artists UAL-3533 (spoken w/theme) |
| 5 | The Agents (Julian Lee): Themes for Secret Agents; Liberty/Sunset SUS-5184 |
| 5 | Steve Allen/Ronald Stein: A Man Called Dagger ST; MGM SE-4516-ST |
| 8 | Edwin Astley: Secret Agent Meets the Saint--Original Music from the TV Shows "Secret Agent" & "The Saint"; RCA Victor LSP-3467; 1965 |
| Edwin Astley?: Secret Agent; RCA Victor LSP-3630 | |
| Edwin Astley?: The Saint; RCA Victor LSP-3631 | |
| 4 | John Barry: From Russia with Love ST; United Artists UAS-5114 |
| 4 | John Barry: Goldfinger ST; United Artists UAS-5117 |
| 6 | John Barry: The Ipcress File ST; Decca DL-79124; 1965 |
| 4 | John Barry: Thunderball ST; United Artists UAS-5132 |
| 6 | John Barry: The Quiller Memorandum ST; Columbia OS-3060 |
| 6 | Count Basie: Basie Meets Bond; United Artists UAS-6480 |
| 7 | Elmer Bernstein: The Silencers ST; RCA Victor LSO-1120; 1966 (not the Dean Martin Sings Song from LP!) |
| 5 | The Clee-Shays: Super Spy Themes; Triumph TRS-101 |
| 8 | Elliott Fisher: Bang! Bang! Bang!; Capitol ST-2455 (w/electronic sounds!) |
| 7 | Jerry Goldsmith: Our Man Flint ST; 20th Century Fox TFS-4179; 1966 (arr. Arthur Morton/Warren Barker) |
| 6 | Jerry Goldsmith: In Like Flint ST; 20th Century Fox S-4193; 1967 (arr. Marty Paich/Warren Barker/Lawrence Morton) |
| 6 | Earle Hagen: Music from the Television Series I Spy; Warner Bros. WS-1637 (different than the Capitol LP) |
| 6 | Earle Hagen: [Music from the Television Series] I Spy; Capitol ST-2839 (different than the Warner Bros. LP) |
| 8 | Dick Hyman: The Man from O.R.G.A.N.; Command RS-891-SD; 1965 |
| 5 | Jazz All-Stars: Thunderball & Other Secret Agent Themes; Design DLP-206 (J.J. Johnson, Mundell Lowe, Milt Hinton..) |
| 3 | Sol Kaplan: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold ST; RCA Victor LSO-1118; 1966 |
| 5 | David Lloyd & his London Orchestra: Confidential--Sounds for a Secret Agent; Epic LN-24151 (Bond covers, incl. Casino Royale) |
| 7 | Ray Martin: Goldfinger & Other Music from James Bond Thrillers; RCA Camden CAS-913; 1965 |
| 7 | Ray Martin: Thunderball & Other Thriller Music; RCA Camden CAS-927; 1965 |
| 5 | Vic Mizzy: The Caper of the Golden Bulls ST; Tower ST-5086 |
| 7 | Hugo Montenegro: Original Music from "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."; RCA Victor LSP-3475; 1965 |
| 8 | Hugo Montenegro: Come Spy with Me; RCA Victor LSP-3540; 1966 |
| 9 | Hugo Montenegro: More Music from the Man from U.N.C.L.E.; RCA Victor LSP-3574; 1966 |
| 8 | Monty Norman: Dr. No ST; United Artists UAS-5108 |
| 5 | Riz Ortolani: The Spy with the Cold Nose ST; Columbia OS-3070 |
| 7 | Perry & the Harmonics: Intrigue with Soul; Mercury SR-61037 (mod soul jazz on a Bond theme) |
| 7 | Teddy Randazzo: The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.; MGM SE-4410 (comp. Dave Grusin) |
| 6 | The Revengers: Batman & Other Super Men; MGM/Metro MS-565 (guitar instrumentals, mainly spy themes) |
| 5 | Gian Piero Reverberi: The Dirty Game ST; Laurie SLP-2034 |
| 7 | Lalo Schifrin: Music from Mission Impossible; Dot DLP-25831 |
| 8 | Lalo Schifrin: More Music from Mission Impossible; ABC-Paramount PAS-5002 |
| 6 | The Roland Shaw Orchestra: Themes from the James Bond Thrillers; London PS-412 |
| 3 | The Roland Shaw Orchestra: More Themes from the James Bond Thrillers; London |
| The Roland Shaw Orchestra: Themes for Secret Agents; London Phase 4 SP-44076 | |
| 5 | The Roland Shaw Orchestra: The Return of James Bond in "Diamonds Are Forever"; London Phase 4 2-BSP-24 (2-LP; w/8x10 of Sean Connery) |
| 4 | Sounds Orchestral: Impressions of James Bond; Cameo/Parkway 7050 |
| Cyril Stapleton: The Saint | |
| 7 | Armando Trovajoli: Seven Golden Men ST; United Artists UAL-?/UAS-5193 (mono-only recording; crime/spy/wordless chorus/mod/whistling/drums) |
| 7 | David Whitaker: Hammerhead ST; Colgems COS-110; 1968 (UK film; Madeline Bell sings title cut) |
| 6 | The Zero Zero Seven Band Plays James Bond Thrillers; Alshire/Somerset SF-23200 (London; jazzy) |
| 5 | Uncredited: Music from Thunderball ["The Sounds of Action...Romance...Violence!!"]; Alshire/Somerset SF-24700 (possibly Skip Martin) |
| 6 | Uncredited: Reel D-95/96; Capitol Custom Hi-"Q" Series (production) |
| 7 | Various: Swingin' Sounds for Secret Agents; Columbia Special Products CSM-444 |
Partly Spy LPs
| Rating | |
| 7 | Ray Anthony: Like Wild!; Capitol ST-1304 ("707") |
| 5 | Burt Bacharach: After the Fox ST; MCA-25132; 1966 (w/Hal David, Hollies, Peter Sellers) |
| 7 | Burt Bacharach: Casino Royale ST; Colgems COSO-5005; 1967 (w/Herb Alpert, Dusty Springfield) |
| 5 | John Barry Plays Film & TV Themes; Capitol ST-2527 |
| 5 | John Barry Plays Goldfinger; United Artists UAS-6424 |
| 4 | Terry Baxter, his Orchestra & Chorus: 108 Now Hits ("Mission Impossible"); Columbia DS-1069; 1973 |
| 8 | Brian Briggs: Brian Damage; Avatar/Bearsville AALP/BKR-6996; 1981 ("Spy vs. Spy") |
| 6 | John Cacavas & his Orchestra: Music for Drama (Orchestral); Chappell International CAL-4014; 1974 ("Design for Action"; spy/crime/suspense) |
| 7 | Al Caiola: The Power of Brass; United Artists UAS-6666; 1968 ("Mission Impossible") |
| 6 | Al Caiola: Let the Sunshine In; United Artists UAS-6712 (partly electric sitar; "Stiletto") |
| 7 | Al Caiola: Blockbuster Movie/TV Themes; United Artists/Two Worlds TW-9102 ("Diamonds Are Forever"; also as Theme from the "Magnificent 7 Ride" '73; United Artists/Avalanche AV-LA058-F; 1973) |
| 8 | Al Caiola: Sounds for Spies & Private Eyes; United Artists UAS-6435 |
| 6 | Al Caiola: Tuff Guitar Tijuana Style; United Artists UAS-6473 ("Thunderball") |
| 3 | The Challengers: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.; GNP/Crescendo GNP-S-2018 |
| 4 | Floyd Cramer Plays the Big Hits ("Mission Impossible," 2 lps); RCA Camden ADL2-0128; 1973 |
| 4 | Philip Dante & his Orchestra: Great Themes from the Foreign Films ("A Man Alone from 'The Ipcress File'"); Kapp/Four Corners of the World FCL-4220 |
| 6 | Danny Davis/Kenyon Hopkins/Ray Ellis: Music from the James Bond Motion Pictures (a.k.a. James Bond/Goldfinger); MGM/Metro MS-520 |
| 8 | Wade Denning & the Port Washingtons/Uncredited: The Amazing TV Themes; MGM/Leo the Lion CH-1023; 1966 (children's LP) |
| 5 | Derek & Ray: The Keyboard Sounds of Today!; RCA Victor LSP-3665; 1966 |
| -» | John Gregory/Chaquito -- see crime |
| 7 | Jimmie Haskell: From Russia with Love Theme; Capitol ST-2075 |
| 6 | Al Hirt: The Horn Meets "The Hornet"; RCA Victor LSP-3716; 1966 (TV themes; arranged by Frank Hunter) |
| 5 | Dick Jacobs & George Cates: Coral Records Presents "Main Title"; Coral CRL-57065 ("Man w/The Golden Arm/Molly-0") |
| 8 | Sonny Lester w/Little Egypt: How to Belly Dance for Your Husband; Roulette SR-59029 |
| 5 | Pete King/Frank Rossi: Music from the Score "The Last of the Secret Agents?"; Dot DLP-25714 |
| 5 | Dean Martin Sings Songs from "The Silencers"; Reprise RS-6211 |
| 6 | Hugo Montenegro: This is Hugo Montenegro; RCA Victor VPS-6036; 1971 (2-LP compilation) |
| 5 | Jerry Murad's Harmonicats: Great Themes from TV & Motion Pictures; Columbia/Harmony HS-11223 |
| 6 | Stanley Myers: Kaleidoscope ST; Warner Bros. WS-1663; 1966? (w/John Mayer, Diwan Motihar, Keshave Sathe) |
| 5 | Sandy Nelson: "In" Beat; Imperial LP-12305 |
| 3 | Riz Ortolani: Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell ST; United Artists UAS-5192; 1969 ("293rd Squadron") |
| 6 | Richard Rome: Theme from Thunderball; Gladwyne 2021 |
| 6 | Salvador & his Orchestra: Caribbean Carnival; Strand SLS-1088 ("The Little Children of Panama") |
| 8 | Lalo Schifrin: Once a Thief & Other Themes; Verve V6-8624; 1965 |
| 3 | Dick Schory: The Happy Hits; RCA Victor LSP-2926; 1964 ("From Russia with Love") |
| 8 | Lalo Schifrin: The Liquidator ST; MGM SE-4413 |
| 6 | Lalo Schifrin: There's a Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On; Dot DLP-25852 |
| 5 | The Secret Agents: Mission Impossible & Other Action Themes; Pickwick/Design DLP-287 (spy/crime/organ) |
| 5 | Jimmy Sedlar: Movie Hits of '66; Kapp KS-3467; 1966 |
| 4 | Billy Strange: The James Bond Theme--Walk Don't Run '64; GNP Crescendo GNPS-2004 |
| 4 | Billy Strange: Goldfinger; GNP Crescendo GNPS-2006 |
| 5 | Billy Strange: Secret Agent File; GNP Crescendo GNPS-2019 |
| 5 | Billy Strange/Neil Norman: Secret Agent File; GNP Crescendo GNPS-2166; 1984 (18-cut compilation; w/The Olympic Orchestra; Les Baxter co-producer of "Moonraker") |
| 7 | Reg Tilsley/Tilsley Orchestral No. 8: Theme and Variation; De Wolfe DWLP-3174; 1970 (production/crime/spy; short cues) |
| 7 | Jack Trombey & the International Studio Group: Living Power 10"; De Wolfe DWLP-2970; 1966 (spy/crime) |
| Jack Trombey & John Reids: Eye for an Eye 10"; De Wolfe DWLP-2969; 1966 (presumably spy/crime) | |
| 8 | The Ventures [Batman Theme]; Liberty/Dolton BST-8042 |
| 6 | Larry Wilcox: Hot Rod Jazz--Tuff Saxes & Twangy Guitars; Columbia CS-8947 ("Theme from 'Who Do You Kill?'") |
| 5 | Si Zentner & his Orchestra: From Russia with Love; Liberty LST-7353 |
| 7 | Si Zentner & his Orchestra: Warning Shot [ST & other themes by Jerry Goldsmith]; Liberty LST-7498; 1966 |
| 8 | Uncredited: New Original TV Themes--Green Hornet--Tarzan--The Man from U.N.C.L.E.; Cameo/Wyncote SW-9173 |
| 4 | Various: The Detectives and Agents & Great Suspense Motion Picture Themes; Mainstream S-6079 |
| 4 | Various: Dr. Goldfoot & the Girl Bombs ST; Capitol/Tower ST-5053 |
| 6 | Various: Stereo for the Swinging Season; RCA Victor PRS-238 (3-LP box; Ray Martin) |
| 4 | Various/Uncredited: T.V. '67--Dragnet--I Spy--T.H.E. Cat; Cameo/Wyncote SW-9184 |
Spy 45s
| Rating | |
| 8 | Ann-Margret: Mister Kiss Bang Bang/What Did I Have That I Don't Have?; RCA Victor 47-8734 (w/Perry Botkin, Jr.) |
| 6 | Les Baxter: Melodia Loca (The Drive-You-Crazy Song)/Foreign Intrigue; Capitol F-3478 |
| 5 | The Bondsmen: Goldfinger/Little Quickie; Cheltenham CH-1005 (guitar instrumental) |
| 6 | The Gallants (H.B. Barnum): The Man from U.N.C.L.E./The Vagabond; Capitol 5376 (prod. David Axelrod; guitar instrumental) |
| 8 | Rex Garvin & the Mighty Cravers: Sock it to 'em J.B. Parts 1 & 2; Atlantic/Like 301 (funk; J.B.=James Bond!) |
| 8 | Lee Merril & the Golden Horns: Ballad of the Green Hornet/Off the Wall; ABC-Paramount/Boom 45-60,013 (mod/spy/drums; Shorty Allen) |
Hyp Records is a 3-part guide:
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