The Laboratory

Last night we made the mistake of watching For Your Eyes Only, possibly the worst Bond film ever. Apart from a stellar cheesy theme song, everything about the film is unlikeable. And Roger Moore is old, creepy, and definitely should have been moving on to his post-Bond "ironic guest star" phase by then. Which just goes to show that this piano book's title isn't necessarily true ... Another person who didn't find the role easy to play was Adam's favourite Bond, George Lazenby. Australian by birth, his performance in "On His Majesty's Secret Service" divided fans, and he never starred in a Hollywood movie again. After filming he said, "Bond is a brute ... I've already put him behind me. I will never play him again. Peace – that's the message now." Here's a fan art drawing of Lazenby by Jeff York, who has drawn all the Bonds at  http://theestablishingshot.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-best-of-bond-you-dont-know.html ...

Today we celebrate the musical powerhouse that is Raymond Gubbay. At this time of year the concert promoter is in his element, with 12 top-name concerts at the Barbican in just 7 days. Where else can you see Fiona Fullerton (A View To A Kill, 1985) presenting Bond themes, and the acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Orchestra? And that's only one venue ... at the Royal Albert Hall you also have Carols by Candlelight five nights a week  plus Aled Jones, The Nutcracker, Jingle Bell Christmas, Kings' College Choir... These may be the concert-going equivalent of 1980s Hooked On Classics cassettes (also starring the RPO) but by heck are they popular!