While I absolutely adore all the LLL re-releases, there is something I honestly do not understand for some of these : why is the original album included (even remastered)? This makes it kind of redundant for many of the tracks (especially for Octopussy which could have been a single CD).
That said, I really enjoy the original Moonraker album too, as it offers a nice listening experience with its different sequencing. Maybe this is the reason.
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I’m with you: I almost never listen to the second discs with remastered versions of the original albums when the more extended (and more logically organized) first disc is always better. This is honestly what’s kept me from pulling the trigger on the “Wrath of Khan” set, where there just doesn’t seem to be enough difference between the two discs – other than sequencing – to make it worth the money.
I suppose it’s nice for the folks out there who don’t even have the original album (at least on CD) or for those willing to toss their originals in the dust bin once they get a superior version. But let’s face it, as Bond fans we’re never tossing out anything. My new LLL Moonraker album is shelved right next to the version from 20 years ago, and I’m unlikely to listen to either version of the original presentation. So I’ve basically got three discs worth of MR music and only one gets played. Well, that is unless I’m in the mood to hear Paul Williams sing his take on the theme song. And I’ve got enough problems already, thanks.
It’s kind of the same with the films, isn’t it? I’ve got all the Bonds on BluRay so I’ll never watch them again on DVD or VHS. But guess how many of those old formats I’ve tossed out?
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I’m also only listening to an expanded tracklist from now on. I guess it’s about giving a complete presentation of everything associated with a score’s history, so it’s all there in one place. I have to say while I’m thankful for the MR release, I would’ve liked the film edits to have been made available. Other Bond releases feature film version edits on their track listings, and even if they’re not as Barry intended, they’re what we’ve been familiar with for decades.
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There are some slight differences with the original cds and their equivalent remastered cds. Just taking the last three releases, The Man With The Golden Gun remaster doesn’t have the jazzy theme tune (good thing); Licence To Kill doesn’t have Wedding Party, Dirty Love, or If You Asked Me To; and Moonraker’s remastered cd doesn’t have Miss Goodhead Meets Bond–at least in title form, though I think it might be renamed It Could Have Its Compensations.
Also, some of the original cds’ cues are different than what is on the remastered ones whether they be shorter or longer. Anyway, I don’t mind the original cd being “doubled” as long as it doesn’t take away from us having the full music score. And besides, some of these new remasters have extra music carry over onto the second disc and if LLL didn’t include the old original cd music, they might not care to give us the second disc as they might feel it would not be worth it in time or cost effectiveness to only give us half a dozen or so songs on a full disc.
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One other thing I’ve been meaning to say, is a big thank you to LLL for including Paul Williams’ version of Moonraker. I’d heard about it from the DVD extras and was curious about what it sounded like, and that, according to Williams, that Frank Sinatra liked it. So I wondered if I would like it better than Shirley Bassey’s version which is one of my least favorite 007 theme songs.
Consequently, I was really excited to learn that it would be included on the expanded Moonraker score. Now, Williams’ singing isn’t the best, but he was more of a songwriter than a singer. I’m sure he just sang the song as a demo. Anyway, I was thinking it would be an entirely different version of Moonraker much like Julie Rogers’ You Only Live Twice’s version was (which I liked) compared to Nancy Sinatra’s. So I was stunned to learn that it was, music-wise, virtually the same as the final version with only the lyrics and a bit of pacing being different. In fact, I think I can hear the music tempo of the Williams version sprinkled into the Moonraker score. Anyway, I liked the Williams version, but I’m not sure whose I like better–his or Bassey’s. I’ll have to listen to them some more to get a definite answer. But I think the final version we got is a little more outer space sounding.
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That is the reason, and it also is remastered, so it sounds better.
I love having both versions in one set.
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It’s still there, split up between You Presume A Great Deal, Mr. Bond and 18-Carat. It Could Have Its Compensations is a different variation.
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We honor the composers intentions by including album takes, which in some cases differ with what’s in the film, as well as combos and edits unique to the album.
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An excellent and appropriate practice. I look forward to DAF being thus honored in 2026 on its 55th anniversary.
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Thanks for the clarification, this is the best possible answer.
And sorry for the nitpicking; I will not say it enough, but this Moonraker release especially is a masterpiece.
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My TWINE from Ebay arrived today 
The set of three I ordered two days before that one directly from La-la-Land left Frankfurt airport five days ago (according to tracking). Apparently, they’ll deliver it on foot, as it’s only an about two hours drive from where I live… 
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I’ve been enjoying FRWL lately. I really love the retro sound this one has, similar in spirit to TB. Interestingly I think both of those are Connery’s best performances and films. James Bond With Bongos would have to be the most satisfying rendition of the theme in my opinion. Other tracks I enjoy are Opening Titles, Stalking, Bond Meets Tania, 007 Takes The Lektor and The Death of Grant. Sadly I don’t think there’s much chance this gets an expansion due to the status of the original tapes. But what we actually have is still great.
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I know you’re all superfans here and buy the albums as they come out (thank you for that!) but in case you’re missing “Octopussy,” it’s back in stock at La-La Land Records.
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Most excellent, thanks for the heads up. Ordered
And please do let us know in case you stumble upon a forgotten box of DADs (like it apparently was the case with those TWINES a few weeks ago) 
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