Filmed at their Royal Albert Hall debut gig in September 2000, Bond Live is a slick showcase for four classically trained, ex-session musicians and their fusion of string quartet and rock music. Whatever the hype (four ... more »beautiful women wearing scanty tops and dancing with violins while backed by a five-piece rock combo and a small, rarely seen string section), it has nothing to do with making classical music cool and everything to do with sex. In "Duel," first and second violins Haylie Ecker and Eos trade licks "guitar-hero" style, and most of the tracks are new instrumentals written for the album Born, though "The 1812" does manage to reduce Tchaikovsky's overture to a five-minute dance number. With rock-show lighting, synthesizers, dance beats, and a finale involving the "James Bond Theme" followed by a Rio-style fiesta for the closing "Victory--Carnival Mix," this is camp, melodramatic, sexy fun. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk« less
Incredible non-stopping performance by the Bond girls!
F. Robert M. from VALE, OR Reviewed on 9/10/2015...
The gals were cute and made GREAT music but at times their frantic dance moves could be more closely described as spastic.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Elizabeth B. (bethieof96) from NINETY SIX, SC Reviewed on 9/10/2015...
these girls are extremely talented. It's a different kind of rock music with electric violins and more.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Ah, Hype...
Za'chary Westbrook | Salem, OR | 09/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, I'll admit that Bond's not the self-inclusive symphony that it has been hyped by the record label as. However, anyone who says that their 'Coyote Ugly'-esque costumes are the evidence that Bond 'isn't about making classical music cool, it's about sex' don't know too many 24-year-old women. My credentials in this area come from two sources: first as a classically trained singer (as such I'm professionally familiar with orchestras) and as the friend of numerous women in their twenties. From women at my work to women I've sung with, I've covered many differant personality-types, and with only a few exceptions they would all love to get out on stage and play sex-kitten for a night. As a band, Bond is about re-vamping Classical music, the leather pants and low-cut silk shirts are simply the natural result of young women getting to pick their wardrobes when money is no object. With that out of the way... Bond has to be one of greatest ideas for a 'reinvention' of a genre ever. Quickly after William Orbit's 'Barber's Adagio for strings' took over clubs some record excutive decided to see if he could make a band out of it. Are the four 'Bond girls' a manufactored quintet, of course! But when was the last time you heard of a twelve piece orchestra coming together because they met in college and thought playing together would be fun? Of course Bond is four string-players, but they tour with an actual orchestra, complemented by DJs and a standard rock-band. So the CD is an orchestral endevour, Bond is simply the figure-head. Kind of like Bruce Springsteen's last album. In sort, disregard what you've heard disparaging Bond's artistic credibility. Think only of Paul Oakenfold getting a hold of Beethoven's fifth symphony, run through a few bars, and if you like, jump on the Bond wagon. This is classical fused with techno, and unlike most orchestras, the stage show's just as good as the music."
Joy and Exuberance
Ned Hune | Springfield, OH United States | 08/12/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As I sit here listening to their performance on my laptop, I'm struck with the performers' joy and exuberance. Too often I see an emotionless performer on stage giving a short bow or nod to the applause of the audience. Do I usually see performers glancing at each other in sheer enjoyment? Not likely!I read the other reviews on this site and noted that one reviewer put them down as being amateurish. Perhaps naive?And don't I love that about them? They're having fun. They're working hard. They're wearing their expressions on their faces ... their hearts on their sleeves, as it were. And isn't that a good thing? Doesn't it touch our hearts?I get tired of hackneyed performers that are on stage solely for the money and could care less about it. Show me the money, they say!I think we'll see this band of performers on larger stages and will look back at this DVD with great appreciation as one of their early works.This is a group that brings joy to the stage and to its listeners. Have fun listening to (and watching) them!Ned Hune
ned1@aol.com"
A Spectacular Show, but Not For Classical Fans
normjr | San Bruno, CA United States | 11/26/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Forget everything you have heard, or not heard about this namd. It means nothing. Yes, these girls were thrown off the classical charts. Yes, the infuce dance beats into classical music. These are things that people already know about the group.
What you might not know, is that these girls can play very well. Haylie and Eos play first and second violin without completing, which is often found in such quartets. Tania provides great sound from the Viola, and Gay-Yee Westerhoff's cello performance is spectacular.
I am a huge fan of string insturments. Mostly I have listened to Yo-Yo Ma and Vanessa Mae, but this group has put together a performance that rivals either of the former. You can say that it is because they are attractive women. And yes that is why I first started watching them. But that can only take you so far with me. After about two-three minutes you have to prove that you have talent to keep my intrest. These girls have that talent. They are a joy to listen to, and even greater joy to see live."
Real emotion at a concert, so refreshing!
Emma Shapplin's the BEST! | 05/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD is a surprise, I have never heard of bond till 2 weeks ago. I was in my local home theater store and caught them on one of the screening rooms. The music was upbeat, the girls looks great but what caught my eye were the emotions flowing thru. it looks like they are having the time of their life. This is so refreshing since what you get from most live performance from established performer is an act. A show put together by expert structured to get the audience emotionally involve, with perfectly timed high and low point. To see a group that's actually having great fun on stage was so unique that I have to ask the sales person who they are and bought a copy of the DVD on the spot. I have since picked up the Japanese import for Born and I would say the DVD is much better. The background music on the CD was much more pronounced and was actually overshadowing the string instruments on some tracks. The concert performance has clean up some of the arrangement and move the string instruments back to stage front. I still enjoy the CD but I'm hoping that they will release the concert on audio CD. In conclusion, If you know bond and like their CD, the DVD is a must buy. If you were like me and have never heard of them before. give the DVD a try."
Innovative. Outstanding Performance!
Emma Shapplin's the BEST! | La Jolla, CA United States | 11/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had hoped that the live performance of Bond would be released on video and DVD. Now, it is here. Superb performance. A must see for any Bond fan!"