Burt Bacharach • Casino Royale
Classic Records/Colgems COSO 5005-45
Four single-sided 45-RPM 200 g LPs
Not to be confused with the 2006 movie starring Daniel Craig, the 1966 version of Casino Royale (of which this album is the original soundtrack) was a comedic spoof starring Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress (who played opposite Sean Connery in the first James Bond movie, Dr. No), and David Niven. Although it would have been many years ago, I know I’ve seen at least some of the movie because when I started reading about the soundtrack in audiophile circles many moons ago, I could remember some of the music.
The soundtrack grew in its notoriety because it was enthusiastically recommended by The Absolute Sound’s Harry Pearson for its great sound quality, especially Dusty Springfield’s The Look of Love. As a result, the price rose beyond my means. Much more recently, Classic Records released The Look of Love as a double sided 12” single, cut at 33-RPM on one side and 45-RPM on the other. I bought that and liked it, so when I saw that the whole soundtrack was available on Classic’s Clarity vinyl, I grabbed a copy.
The album’s reputation for great sound quality is well-deserved. When listening to The Look of Love, it’s hard not to believe that Dusty Springfield isn’t right there in the room, giving the listener a private performance! The other tracks on the record are also very likeable.
With these Clarity releases, Classic seems to have shaken their quality control issue of the past. All four records in my set were as flat as a pancake with silent surfaces. The packaging is first class too, with the four records housed in a sturdy cardboard box, protected by bubble wrap.
Very highly recommended, but beware: since Classic’s purchase by Acoustic Sounds, the price of this set (and other Classic titles) has risen dramatically.