Live and Let Die (soundtrack)

Infobox Album
Name = Live and Let Die
Type = Soundtrack
Artist = George Martin


Released = 1973
Recorded = April 1973
Genre =
Length = 31:14
Label = United Artists
Producer = George Martin (Original)
Frank Collura (Reissue)
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:rsuj6j7771y0 link]
Last album = "London By George"
(1967)
This album = "Live and Let Die"
(1973)
Next album = "In My Life"
(1998)Extra chronology 2
Artist = James Bond soundtrack
Type = Soundtrack
Last album = "Diamonds Are Forever"
(1971)
This album = "Live and Let Die"
(1971)
Next album = "The Man with the Golden Gun"
(1974)Extra album cover
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Background = gainsboro


Lower caption = Re-release cover

"Live and Let Die" is the soundtrack of, and was written for, the 8th James Bond film of the same name.

Taking a temporary hiatus from scoring Bond films, John Barry subsequently passed the baton over to George Martin. This was the first James Bond film that Barry was, in at least some aspect, not a part of. Barry was then working on a musical and had had quarrels with producer Harry Saltzman over his title song to "Diamonds are Forever".

The score for "Live and Let Die" was orchestrated and conducted by Martin, and recorded at the AIR Studios.

In his autobiography, Martin said he was approached by Harry Saltzman who was impressed by the orchestral backing of Paul McCartney's demo of the title song and wanted Martin to score the film. Martin agreed but then was surprised when Saltzman asked him who he thought should sing the title song; Martin said that Paul McCartney intended to. Saltzman wanted a black soul singer to match the blaxploitation theme of the film, but a compromise was agreed when B.J. Arnau would sing the title song in a nightclub sequence. Martin related how he worked closely with director Guy Hamilton who practically dictated how one of the tracks "If He Finds it Kill Him" should sound. [ Martin, George "All You Need is Ears" St Martin's Press 1979]

For the theme song, Martin teamed with former-Beatle Paul McCartney, who had previously been considered for "Diamonds Are Forever" in 1971. This was the first time the pair worked together since "Abbey Road" in 1969. The theme was written by Paul and his wife Linda McCartney and performed by Paul and his group, Wings. The tune, the first 'true' rock and roll song used to open a Bond film, was a major success in the U.S. (#2 for three weeks) and the UK (#9), Paul's best showings in over a year. For many years "Live and Let Die" was a highlight of his live shows, complete with fireworks and lasers and in 2005, it was performed live by McCartney during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXIX. In 1991 the song was covered by the rock band Guns N' Roses.

Track listing

#"Live and Let Die (Main Title)" – Paul McCartney & Wings
#"Just a Closer Walk with Thee/New Second Line" – Harold A. "Duke" Dejan & The Olympia Brass Band
#"Bond Meets Solitaire"
#"Whisper Who Dares"
#"Snakes Alive"
#"Baron Samedi's Dance of Death"
#"San Monique"
#"Fillet of Soul – New Orleans/ Live and Let Die/Fillet of Soul – Harlem"
#"Bond Drops In"
#"If He Finds It, Kill Him"
#"Trespassers Will Be Eaten"
#"Solitaire Gets Her Cards"
#"Sacrifice"
#"James Bond Theme"
#"Gunbarrel/Snakebit"
#"Bond to New York"
#"San Monique (Alternate)"
#"Bond and Rosie"
#"The Lovers"
#"New Orleans"
#"Boat Chase"
#"Underground Lair"

References