Moonraker BoTB Showdown

Welcome to BOTB 2021 round 14!  The next theme song up in my James Bond film series is Moonraker (1979), originally performed by the incredible Shirley Bassey.  This is the first 007 film I saw in a theater featuring Roger Moore.   I was so disappointed in my search for two vocals to go head to head that ditched the idea turning to instrumental arrangements but no sooner I did when I found two nice vocal accompaniments. 

The first contender in this battle round is the jazz band, Daniel Lantz Trio featuring Sani Gamedze.  This cover as you imagine has a jazz flair, different but nice.  Will it take steal your vote?

The second contender is The Ian Rich Orchestra with Joanne Farrell.  I’m not sure if the band is a James Bond tribute or simply a cover band, either way they do a smashing job with their female vocalist.  Listen to decide if they deserve your vote


Who do you prefer in this round, Daniel Lantz Trio featuring Sani Gamedze or The Ian Rich Orchestra with Joanne Farrell? There’s no wrong way to vote. You don’t have to know the song, the artist, or the movie. The song you most connect with is all that matters, so leave your favorite artist pick in comments.

I invite you to visit BoTBers with showdowns going on today.

*Unless noted participants are doing both battles on the 1st and 15th.

Polls close noon (EST) on October 7th

Next week, same time slot I’ll be back to announce the winner in this round, so be sure to mark your calendar to see if your favorite artist wins in this showdown. I’m going to close with an instrumental rock version for your entertainment only of Moonraker.

Coming up at 6am this morning, please join me for fun packed edition of Friday Fun Stuff – funnies, friendship, fill-ins, fotos, and music. Have a bandtastic day, my friend!   X💋X💋, Cathy

Not included in battle showdown. For your enjoyment only! 😉

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26 comments

  4. I can have, and do have, all the bond music. This is not as well known but one I like and I prefer the 2nd one with Joanne Farrell who has a really great voice. The other band just didn’t do anything for me plus the opening and closing of it seemed to belong with the Adams family more…sounds so depressing.

  5. Definitely voting for Ian Rich Orchestra. that first one was starting to feel like elevator music after about 3 minutes.

  6. Oh darn! I would have voted for Paul Rock. 🙂 Since that’s not an option, I prefer the sounds of the Ian Rich Orchestra. BTW, thanks for keeping my link on your list, even though I’m not doing BOTB posts anymore. Much appreciated, my friend! 💖

    1. Debbie,

      Paul Rock’s version is really cool, isn’t it? The instrumental arrangement is nice. I strived to pair my contenders more closely and Paul didn’t fit the bill but I knew I had to share his recording, though. Thanks for playing along and voting for THE IAN RICH ORCHESTRA. You’re welcome. I’m happy to keep your link on the list, my dear. I actually wondered about that the other day if you still wanted left on and am glad to know that you do. 🙂

    1. Nicole,

      I’m trying to not upset my back. I managed to get some yard work done on Saturday with DH. I was generally achy all over but my back didn’t take a hard hit so I was very happy about that. Thanks for stopping in to vote for The Ian Rich Orchestra, my dear!

  9. Both covers are good, smooth. Whereas Ian Rich and Co. do inspire a classic Bond mood, the instrumental vibes produced by The Daniel Lantz trio are downright atmospheric! Almost forgot I was wearing clunky Uggs…Nice!

    1. John,

      Lantz’ cover is almost twice as long as Rich. I always worry a bit when I use one that’s lengthy. I’ll put your name down for TIRO with Joanne Farrell. 🙂

  11. HiYa, CAThy! It’s That YOU?! ~

    I’m here with my three cents fur yer BOTB kitty!!!

    Hokey-Smoke! That first one really caught me in the purrfect mood for it!!

    Although, like most everyone else my age, I started out as a Rock music fan. (It was just “Rock” then. They didn’t start calling it “Classic Rock” until I got older. Er… I meant, until “IT” got older. Me, I NEVER got older! I refused.) Anyway, over time, as I got younger, I became more and more interested in Jazz until it became, by far, my favorite music genre.

    So that Daniel Lantz Trio featuring Sani Gamedze was absolutely in my wheelhouse! It had a kind of almost free-form spacy sound to it which kept it really interesting to me.

    The second recording was fine – some nice vocals – but it sounded a bit more “crooning” and mainstream to me, which isn’t exactly my mugga beer.

    So, a very enthusiastic BOTB Bote for Daniel Lantz Trio featuring Sani Gamedze. In fact, I’m gonna listen to it again right now, not for boting purposes but just for enjoyment purposes!

    Good Battle, as usual, muh frien’! Keep ’em comin’…

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    1. Stephen,

      Like you jazz grew on me later in life. Well, not super late in life but I was in my early 40s when I really began to enjoy the sound. I’m pleased that you liked DANIEL LANTZ TRIO FT SANI GAMEDZE. Thanks for popping over for a visit and to join me in my latest BOTB, my friend.

  12. I like them both, but The Ian Rich Orchestra with Joanne Farrell gets my vote.

    Have a fabulous day and weekend, Cathy. Love and hugs. ♥

    1. Sandee,

      I appreciate your visit and participation in this showdown for THE IAN RICH ORCHESTRA WITH JOANNE FARRELL. I have your vote logged, my friend. Thanks for stopping by! 😉

  13. Maybe not the best of the Bond themes, but you chose a couple of nice covers. The vocalist sounds very similar on both covers so I’ll have to judge according to the arrangements. The second was a pretty standard cover version–well done, but nothing groundbreaking. The second maybe went on too long, but it was different.

    I’ll give my vote to Daniel Lantz Trio.

    1. My second reference to the one that went on too long was meant to refer to the first one. Just to correct that error.

    2. Lee,

      I think the JB theme songs Shirley Bassey did are just too hard to get out of ones’ head making it difficult to like another artist cover. Her signature sound was magical and explosive. I’m glad to you went with DANIEL LANTZ TRIO ensuring my battle isn’t a shut out. Moonraker was a harder song to find suitable covers. Thanks for voting, my friend.

  14. This was an easy one for me. The Ian Rich Orchestra with Joanne Farrell gets my vote. I enjoyed their sound immensely. Thanks for the shout out, Cathy. I appreciate it! ❤️

    1. Eugenia,

      Another vote for THE IAN RICH ORCHESTRA WITH JOANNE FARRELL! Thanks for stopping by to cast your vote for your favorite pick, my dear.

  15. Hi, Cathy!

    Your Bond Band Battle has left me shaken AND stirred, dear friend! Truth be told, I never watched any films in the series that didn’t have Sean Connery in the lead role of Agent 007, but I enjoyed these competing versions of “Moonraker” along with the bonus instrumental.

    In the battle, act #1 consists of the Daniel Lantz Trio which, as far as I can determine, is based in Sweden. I read that they played a gig in Uppsala, the country’s 4th largest city. Featured vocalist, South African singer Sani Gamedz, has also been guest artist fronting Beat Funktion, a Swedish jazz fusion band. Sani has a refined voice, pleasing to the ear, and the trio is talented. All in all, I enjoyed their interpretation of “Moonraker” but I am not very fond of jazz, and therefore the arrangement didn’t appeal to me as much as the one used by the second act in the battle.

    As is the case with most or all of your “Battle of the Bonds” contests, I prefer the artist that stays closer to the movie soundtrack original. In today’s competition, that would be The Ian Rich Orchestra featuring vocalist Joanne Farrell. I read that Joanne is a versatile, multi-talented UK-based actress who performs in musical theater and in concerts all over the world. Joanne is in demand as a studio session singer, voices TV adverts and more. I much prefer her rendition of “Moonraker.” I knew from the first few notes she sang that I preferred her voice and style.

    Therefore, please give my vote to act #2 – The Ian Rich Orchestra with Joanne Farrell.

    Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend Cathy!

    1. Tom,

      I’m running behind in my response and I do apologize for being late, my friend. I didn’t have time to delve into either groups backstory, but I’m happy that you throw out bits of info on both bands educating me on my featured artists. The first vote in this battle goes to THE IAN RICH ORCHESTRA WITH JOANNE FARRELL. Thanks for joining the battle fun. The results will air on Friday. 😉

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