| Bond | |
|---|---|
Bond performing at the MetroCentre, Gateshead. |
|
| Background information | |
| Genres | Classical crossover |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | MCA Music, Inc. Decca Records |
| Website | www.bondquartet.com |
| Members | |
| Elspeth Hanson Eos Chater Tania Davis Gay-Yee Westerhoff |
|
| Past members | |
| Haylie Ecker | |
| Notable instruments | |
| Violin, viola, cello | |
Bond (often typeset as bond in deference to the owners of the 007 copyright)[1] is an Australian/British string quartet that specialises in classical crossover music. Bond has been described as the best-selling string quartet of all time,[2] selling over 4 million records.
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Bond was formed following initial conversations between music producer Mike Batt and promoter Mel Bush, after Batt suggested to Bush that the two of them should put together a quartet consisting of "four beautiful, talented musicians".[3] Some time later, Bush pushed ahead with the idea, recruiting producer Gareth Cousins to help choose the line up and define the band's sound. This resulted in an initial four recordings the band made, leading to Bond being signed by Decca. Three of those original recordings, "Duel", "The 1812" and "Dalalai", were the backbone of the first album, Born, with producer Magnus Fiennes providing additional tracks and Mike Batt adding a remix of "Victory", which became the first single.
The quartet currently consists of Tania Davis (first violin, formerly viola, from Sydney, Australia), Eos Chater (second violin, from Cardiff, Wales), Elspeth Hanson (viola, from Upper Basildon, England)[4] and Gay-Yee Westerhoff (cello, from Hull, England). Hanson replaced original band member Haylie Ecker (formerly first violin), who left in 2008 to have a child.[5]
Their debut album Born was removed from the UK classical chart, apparently owing to its "sounding too much like pop music". Born later rose to the #1 position on 21 different charts around the world. Shine, their second album, went gold in six countries. Remixed, their third release, featured remixes from their first two hit albums as well as three new unreleased pieces. Their third studio album Classified was a popular and successful release: Classified went double platinum in Australia, reaching the number one spot on both the classical and pop charts. Explosive: The Best of Bond, their latest release, is a "best of" collection that includes three previously unreleased pieces. They also participated at the Miss World 2000 pageant in London.
The quartet spent much of 2003 touring, particularly throughout Asia, and participating in the Miss Universe 2003 held in Panama City, Panama. They also fitted in performing and filming a TV commercial for American department store chain Marshall Field's and made a commercial in Los Angeles for the Japanese karaoke manufacturer Daiichi Kosho. The group made their movie debut playing themselves in a scene in Rowan Atkinson's James Bond spoof Johnny English for which they also contributed the track "Kismet", composed by Gay-Yee, and played on the Main Theme. They also appeared as themselves in the film XXX: State of the Union, performing "Victory".
The classical violinist Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra performed live on New Year's Eve in Vienna in a set that includes many Strauss favorites, as well as an appearance from Bond performing "Victory".[6]
In 2009 Peugeot commissioned Bond to record Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" to advertise the 308CC. [7] The tracks are available for download from Peugeot's website free of charge.[8]
In an interview of Tania Davis by the Birmingham Mail, Davis revealed that they are currently working on their next studio album. She also noted that the next album will have Gypsy, Folk and Eastern European influences.[9] In late 2010 the band were performing material from their new album "Play" at concerts in Mexico, including the new single "Diablo".[10]
Bond has released their new album in Mexico and will be releasing it in Japan in late September. Currently Play does not have a U.S. release date.
The following songs on the album include their first single Diablo. The string quartet also showcases Jai Ho, a huge hit from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. The album also features a few more recognizable hits. The song "Pump It" is a version of the Dick Dale and His Del Tones hit song Miserlou featured in the opening credits of Pulp Fiction. The song "Last Time" is an interpretation of the song Bitter Sweet Symphony by the band The Verve. The entire track list is as follows:
1. Diablo 2. Jai Ho 3. Elysium 4. Pump it 5. Beatroot 6. Last time (aka bittersweet) 7. Summer 8. Winter 9. Apasionada 10. West With the Night 11. Road to Samarkand 12. Victory 13. Diablo (Bonus Track)
The track listing and samples of all songs is at their new homepage www.bondquartet.com
According to the band's webpage, the group is recording a medley of Lady Gaga hits at the request of its Japanese label. The Lady Gaga will be available initially by phone download and soon to be released digitally and as part of a special Japanese album release.
| Release date | Title |
| 2 October 2000 | Born |
| 15 October 2002 | Shine |
| 15 June 2004 | Classified |
| 2011 | Play |
| Release date | Title |
| 16 September 2003 | Remixed |
| 28 June 2005 | Explosive: The Best of Bond |
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