Orchestrated and Conducted by John Barry

From Russia With Love Composed by Lionel Bart

Produced by Frank Collura

Release Date: February 11, 2003

          EMI / Capitol Records

     While Dr. No may have introduced the world to the James Bond theme, not much else survived musically from that film. Instead, the overall feel of the world of James Bond, from a musical standpoint at least, began its fine tradition through John Barry in From Russia With Love. The film also marked Barry's first full score for the long-running franchise. Even outside of being the catalyst for the musical signature that would leave its mark on the film scoring community, From Russia With Love is a fine piece of work in its own right, and one of the most beautiful scores of all the James Bond films..

     Thematically, the music immediately jumps into the main theme for the film with the Opening Titles. The theme is wonderful, and used to great effect throughout the score (especially when Barry weaves it in among the James Bond theme in Death of Grant). Other little themes abound, including one for the gypsies and SPECTRE. The action music, while not as chaotic as latter scores would delve into, works well enough and fits in with the sixties style of film scoring. It's unfortunate the the main song, while good, just doesn't fit in as much (given that song itself was composed by Lional Bart and not John Barry). The fact that it's situated right in the middle of the album is problematic in that it departs from the style a bit.

     Essentially a re-release of the original album, the CD is short on content, but the sound quality is first rate for this score. While not as crisp as modern recordings, I was very impressed with the re-mastering job done to the music. It is unfortunate that this album wasn't expanded like some of the others, but at least it does a good job of hitting the highlights. The only major cue that I know of as missing is The Zagreb Express cue (which can be found on the Bond Back in Action CD). It can be heard in part on the Death of Kerin track, but it's full inclusion here would have been most welcomed.

1 - Opening Titles: James Bond is Back / From Russia With Love

     /  James Bond Theme (2:29)

2 - Tania Meets Kleb (1:29)

3 - Meeting in St. Sophia (1:09)

4 - The Golden Horn (2:26)

5 - Girl Trouble (2:25)

6 - Bond Meets Tania (1:20)

7 - 007 (2:46)

8 - Gypsy Camp (1:16)

9 - Death of Grant (1:59)

10 - From Russia With Love (Sung by Matt Monro) (2:35)

11 - Spectre Island (1:18)

12 - Guitar Lament (1:11)

13 - Man Overboard - Smersh in Action (2:18)

14 - James Bond with Bongos (2:32)

15 - Stalking (2:05)

16 - Leila Dances (1:56)

17 - Death of Kerin (2:30)

18 - 007 Takes the Lektor (3:03)