CSO Pops show celebrates memorable music of Bond

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra's first Pops concert of the season gave a full orchestra treatment to the music from 14 James Bond films, with a genial and entertaining conductor/host Stuart Malina at the helm. Assisted by guest soloist Hilary Kole, who credibly re-created the vocal sounds of Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, and others, without losing her own personal style.

Malina provided expert musical leadership. Between numbers, he provided some behind-the-scenes stories of the films' production problems and just who originally sang the films' title songs, from Louis Armstrong ("We Have All The Time in the World" from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service") to Carly Simon ("Nobody Does It Better" from "The Spy Who Loved Me), among others.

How does the music stand up without the visual entertainment? For the most part, it is good music, though John Barry's creations seemed to fall into a repetitive formula. The Bond producers were wise to choose some other composers, including Marvin Hamlisch, Paul McCartney and James Norman, the composer to the original Bond theme (from "Dr. No").

An Austrian-style curtain behind the orchestra allowed for colorful lighting effects, along with other lighting props. The stage was festooned with microphones and large speakers boosted the sound, sometimes making it excessively loud.

There is a repeat performance at 8 tonight. Recommended.