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Post by Rob W on Jul 19, 2017 8:08:44 GMT
Long overdue! (Apologies) Voting will close in one month (in the middle of August.)
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Post by timwarner on Jul 27, 2017 14:12:20 GMT
Know His Name - Christian Duffin
Love this song. It’s like you’ve made a bond theme that I’m not quite expecting, only to find that it’s exactly what was needed. All the sounds are great and the backing vocals are, as usual, superb. I especially like the guitar into, and during, the chorus. The three levels of playing all work well. There is simply nothing to critique here.
Toast to 007 - Stephen Clarke
What came first, the song or, fitting it to the James Bond theme at the end? It seems a pretty unlikely aspect on 007’s behaviour to have noticed, let alone devote a song to. Smart, changing use of ‘toast’ that works very well with the story.
Live to Live Another Day - Phil Sanderson
You make some lovely sounds and generate lots of atmosphere, right from the off. The refrain (Live to live another day) is very strong, when it comes in. It is such a huge lift to the end of the chorus, I would have liked it to be repeated before going back into the verse. I like the squeaky voices (reminds me of The Bewlay Brothers). Impressed by the often sparse instrumentation and the space you’ve left. It really breathes.
You, Only You - T&G
The melancholy is palpable. The chorus is really soars but, gently. The whole thing is beautifully underplayed, like you’ve stripped everything away so the song can stand up for itself. Having said that, the instrumental section is very clever and nicely references Bond. Very good.
Bond, James Bond
Having listened to the others (and at some distance from recording this song), ‘Bond, James Bond’ sounds like the franchise have handed song duties to a pop band of the day, only for this to be their most remembers song, purely because it was a bond song.
While I fully accept there have been great songs with terrible lyrics, the terrible lyrics in this song (mostly undisiferable, mercifully) don’t help.
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Post by stephen on Jul 28, 2017 16:55:03 GMT
Hard to choose - they're very different but all pretty Bond-like in their own way. Maybe we should do Dr Who next (not).
001 Agent Duffin Know His Name
Yes, very Bond-theme chorus ('know his name'), with the light and shade of songs like Live and Let Die or Diamonds are Forever (my favourite Bond tune). The choral backing over the hook is very effective, and I like the guitar arrangements, with the licks kicking in and out. The melancholic ending seems to symbolize the moment when the Bond girl gets the brush off. I'm sure Sean and Daniel would approve, though Roger usually liked to end with a cuddle, didn't he? Anyway, one for the producers to bear in mind.
003 Agent Sanderson Live to Live Another Day
Very atmospheric, and the words seem to sum up exactly what Bond is all about - fighting evil and doing things that nobody else can. Catchy, and simpler than your usual songs, with very good guitar arrangements changing the mood. To me, it doesn't feel like a p-take at all, apart from that falsetto voice and the title (an effective hook line you could have used more often, I think).
004 (a & b) Agents Tim and Glyn You, Only You
Another moody one - it sounds like Bond's last mission, as if he's off to die to save us all. Very catchy chorus, intimate vocals, and I liked the guitar, especially the quiet arpeggios behind the chorus, the double solo and the vibrato chords.
005 (a & b) Agents Tim and Julie Bond, James Bond
(Julie Bond, now there's an idea.) Doesn't sound like a struggle. Excellent guitar intro and outro, with a kind of angsty synth riff that works well for a Bond thriller. When the acoustic guitar breaks down and we get back into the riff, it's very powerful, as the climax of a film should be. And the "you know my name" hook sounds exactly like something 007 would say as he batters a baddie. All very Bondesque.
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Post by eddiecustard on Jul 30, 2017 21:09:04 GMT
Stephen Clarke – Toast to 007
Good harmony lines right through here, especially the 1.35 to 2-minute mark. The guitar is often used sparingly, which works well because the rhythm is carried just fine with the drums and bass.
The production has certainly improved in recent tasks.
I don’t know any Bond theme songs that focus on a comedy angle in this way so if you did get it attached to the next film it’d certainly mark a major shift in direction for the franchaise. Regardless, it’s a good song with your customary well thought through lyrics and a memorable chorus.
Phil Sanderson – Live to Live Another Day
Some very nice acoustic playing early on from Phil, gives way to a brooding tune and a fine production that showcases his skills at arranging. I like the second chorus with the harmonies best. Like many of Phil’s songs this one is most rewarding after three or four listens.
Tim and Glynn – You, Only You
Very nice piano intro, good chorus and an atmospheric breakdown before the second verse comes in. This one would work really well as a Bond Theme because of its excellent chorus, nods to sensuous previous Bond themes and its ethereal mood. Very enjoyable – one of your best of the year.
Tim and Julie - Bond, James Bond
Some brilliant dreamy guitar here in the intro. Lovely chord change on the 0.13 mark. A nice piano figure on the bridge, which fits perfectly sonically with the vocals. Other instruments pop in and out to excellent effect. Well done, really good stuff.
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Post by philsanderson on Aug 4, 2017 8:52:33 GMT
Fear not - reviews are on way by end of weekend! Have voted though.....
Phil
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tandg
Junior Member
Posts: 67 
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Post by tandg on Aug 12, 2017 22:24:05 GMT
Comments to follow but we've cast our votes in case tomorrow is when the results go live.
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tandg
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by tandg on Aug 13, 2017 12:36:52 GMT
Christian Duffin - Know his Name
This is great. We really enjoyed every element of it. Most impressive for me is the way that the song alternates between slow ballad and soaring anthem, with that great Bond-style ‘know his name’ chord change. The harmonies are spot on (and beautifully mixed) and the piano part gives the foundation for some outstanding guitar work, ranging from the perfectly judged solo to the muted picking on the last verse. Brilliant!
Stephen Clarke – Toast to 007
A real sideways look at Bond and the theme, with the guitar set to ‘twang’. There’s some great bass playing here throughout the song and I love the dry, wry lyrics. Metaphorical toast – now there’s a lyric that’s not common in popular music. I haven’t read any of the original books – I guess they may look a bit dated now and quite a way away from how the films have developed. I like this exploration of the snobbish thug side of the Bond character plus the inevitability of the martini/bikini/spy/die storyline. As always, you’ve taken a really interesting alternative angle to the theme and the result is refreshingly different to the other approaches here.
Phil Sanderson – Live to Live Another Day
It is interesting how the first person narrative gives this a different angle. As a result, once the vocals come in, it’s not immediately Bond-like as a theme but the burst into the chorus ‘Live to Live Another Day’ line suddenly snaps everything into place. I wanted to hear the line over and over but the restraint actually makes it an intriguing song that rewards multiple listenings. As for the music - how this is just one guitar beats me entirely – it sounds really lush and full. I like the high vocal harmony (which sounds almost like morse code as it tails off) and particularly the way all the sounds seem to come together underneath the ‘Live to Live Another Day’ line.
It did occur to me that the first person narrative implies Bond is singing. Now that has not been a featured characteristic of Mr Bond - perhaps Phil is intending to apply to take over once Daniel Craig hangs up his Walther PPK. A vegan troubadour for James Bond! Genius! (Hopefully not evil genius).
Tim & Julie – Bond, James Bond
There’s a lot going on here, with some really interesting musical and instrumental choices. I love the introduction that just bursts the song open. The vocals come in quite unexpectedly early and the mix of the dry synth sound with the big reverb on drums and voice is unsettling at first but of all this month’s songs, this is the one that rewards multiple listens most. I think you are being unfairly harsh on yourself with your comments – as always, I love that you are looking to vary your sound, your instrumentation and vocal delivery. Unpredictable and experimental is good!
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Post by philsanderson on Aug 18, 2017 7:46:25 GMT
Know His Name - Christian Duffin
The sound / mix of the Keyboard, Bass and Drum part is so good throughout - alongside the lifting backing vocals and anthemic chorus. What an excellent song, Christian - demands to be used in the next Bond movie, if not then get Rob to film an alternative Bond movie with this as the main song.
Toast to 007- Stephen Clarke
Great Bass playing and interplay between that and the guitar. Like the keyboard sound at beginning and the way the overall sound of the song opens up as the main ideas kick in. A rather jaunty angle on the Bond theme, but refreshing and as pointed out elsewhere there is a definite snob factor about the earlier Bonds that match the sentiments of the lyrics.
You, Only You – Tim and Glyn
Very atmospheric throughout, with a really fine production where each instrument has its definite space. Especially like the instrumental section here, where the guitar(s) keep a theme going and the keys seem to move around them. The lyrics and mood are spot on here, very evocative- loved playing along to it!
Bond, James Bond
- Stephan Clarke
Lots of interesting ins and outs of instruments and vocals make this a most entertaining song- each listening allows discovery of something new. The variety of sounds and moods is excellent, although not sure about one of the keyboard sounds ( the 2nd synth behind the vocal at about 1.10 ) Piano line a highlight alongside the return of the ‘chorus’ at 2.48. Very enjoyable.
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Post by timwarner on Aug 21, 2017 10:25:06 GMT
Well done, Christian (can I still call you Eddie?). A thoroughly deserved winner, clearly the best song.
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6. Bond
Aug 21, 2017 15:02:05 GMT
via mobile
Post by eddiecustard on Aug 21, 2017 15:02:05 GMT
Cheers! Yes, Eddie is always ok by me.
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Post by stephen on Aug 26, 2017 9:53:15 GMT
Yes, well played Eddie. How do you do it? You have to pass on some songwriting secrets.
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tandg
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by tandg on Aug 28, 2017 18:01:15 GMT
Well done Christian - really well deserved - a vote from all of us I think.
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