THE VILLAGE 1

ITV Wales has produced a fantastic series called The Village, which explores a year in Portmeirion and the many people who take care of this special place behind the scenes. It is a 6-part series (I do love when 6 shows up, though it's totally not about numbers!), and the first episode is available streaming on-line at ITV Wales here. Spy Vibers will remember the site as the filming location of The Prisoner, episodes of Danger Man, Doctor Who, and even a fave destination for Brian Epstein and George Harrison. It's also one of my favorite places in the world. I've been lucky to visit a few times and it's always a delight! The best is staying inside the Village itself and having the grounds to oneself in the mornings and evenings when the daytrippers are gone. You don't have to be a Prisoner fan to appreciate it. Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925-1975, the buildings and vast grounds are a surreal treasure-hunt of an experience, where mysterious statutes greet you in unexpected places, lush gardens and quirky structures tickle the imagination, and nothing is ever quite what it seems. Be seeing you there! Image below: one of my photographs from the Village. Related posts: Related posts: ITC Elstree Event, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, Interview: The Prisoner Guide, Portmeirion Photography 1, Portmeirion Photography, The Prisoner London Flat, Prisoner/Scarlet 50th, Alan Hayes Prisoner Audio Review, Alan Hayes Prisoner Audio Review 2, Interview: Ian Olgivy, Interview: Brian Gorman, Prisoner Supergrass, Prisoner XTC, Prisoner XTC 2, Prisoner DC Fontana, Eric Mival Book, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, John Buss Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Maud Russell: Mottisfont Photography.

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Bubble Girl 63, ITC Soundtracks, Spy Vibe Radio: Public Eye, UFO Prime, Spaceship to Mars, Modesty Blaise Companion, Spy Vibe Radio: Fantomas, George Day, Fantomas Blu, Dark Shadows Doc, Bedazzled Blu-ray, Mary Quant Exhibit, Laika Calypso, Lost in Space Japan, Spy Dust Calypso, Atomic Cafe, John Barry Mono, Interview: John Barry Book, Land of the Giants Score, Skyfall Concert, Dearest Emma, Spy Vibe Radio: Upperseven, Ogilvy at Elstree, Mabuse Propaganda, Bond Beatles Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Liquidator, Diabolik LP, Fab Dresses, Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

DAN DAN: USI

We recently looked at some of the spy satire from the Benny Hill Show, including a great Bond spoof of From Russia With Love, and the laughs keep coming to the Spy Vibe lair as I continue to research for my upcoming book. Thanks to my pal, Agent Stephen, I'm reminded of a hilarious little skit Benny did on February 24, 1971 about a character named Dan Dan: Undercover Sanitary Inspector, which poked fun at the ITC spy/detective shows; His intro even mentioned The Baron and Man in a Suitcase. Spy Vibe's, check out my latest episode of the Cocktail Nation radio show and news about my new book about one of America's most successful cartoonists.

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, ITC Elstree Event, Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Mata Hair Exhibit, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

NEW SOUNDTRACKS

New release: UK distributor Network announced the next titles in their line of limited-edition soundtracks this week: The Baron and Themes for TV Drama: Music of Robert Earley. From the press release: The Baron: "The never before released original soundtrack for the popular ‘60s crime drama series The Baron, from legendary film and TV composer Edwin Astley (The Saint, Danger Man), is to be released as a 12” vinyl LP in gloss gatefold sleeve packaging and limited to just 1,000 copies. It will be released on 23 November 2015 exclusively through networkonair.com for £25, and is available to pre-buy** now for £20. Notable in its absence from Network's earlier CD releases of ITC soundtrack material, The Baron now emerges triumphant from the original analogue tapes which were unearthed in 2014. Specially selected tracks from those existing music cues have been used here to create superb episodic music suites featuring the work of one of the 20th century's premier soundtrack composers. The main theme exhibits some similarities with Astley's contemporary work on Gideon's Way: the two themes are in related keys (The Baron in B major, Gideon's Way in F#), but while Gideon’s Way marches along at a steady plod, The Baron is considerably more upbeat and dynamic, with the main theme carried by a strident brass section. Listeners of this 12” LP will detect new depths and textures previously unheard in the television broadcast versions of these themes and incidental cues. This audiophile-level album is presented on 180g virgin vinyl featuring new transfers from original analogue tape elements. Mastering engineers Ray Staff and John Webber at Sir George Martin’s legendary AIR studios mastered the audio for this and cut the lacquers. The high quality pressing was done by the renowned Pallas pressing plant in Germany."

Themes for TV Drama: The Music of Robert Earley: An exceptional collection of work from composer, bandleader and conductor Robert Earley (born Robert Sharples) - Themes for TV Drama: The Music of Robert Earley - is to be released on 10” vinyl and limited to just 1,000 copies. It will be released on 21 December 2015 exclusively through networkonair.com for £25, and is available to pre-buy** now for £20. Lancashire-born Robert Sharples is probably best remembered as the musical director of prototype TV talent show Opportunity Knocks, where he was frequently name checked on screen by host Hughie Green, but it was under the pseudonym Robert Earley that he provided memorable themes and incidental cues for a range of ITV drama series during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Themes for TV Drama brings together some of Earley's best-known compositions, ranging from the smokey, jazz-tinged Public Eye (perfectly encapsulating the down-at-heel milieu of investigator Frank Marker) to the brassy, urgent aggression of Special Branch. This EP is presented on 80g virgin vinyl featuring new transfers from original analogue tape elements. Mastering engineers Ray Staff and John Webber at Sir George Martin’s legendary AIR studios mastered the audio for this and cut the lacquers. The high quality pressing was done by the renowned Pallas pressing plant in Germany.

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Callan Documentary and Set, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Early Saint Box Set, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Diana Rigg Event, Ian Fleming Letters, New Gillette 007 Covers, Pirate Radio, Spectre Advanced Poster, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Radiophonic Exhibit, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Avengers Season 5 Titles, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Art of Modesty, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.