COLD OPEN:
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
"From Russia With Love, Main Theme" - John Barry Orchestra,
John Barry & Monty Norman (scenes from October, 1963,
007 film From Russia With Love)
Hello to you.
I am Nina Krilova.
Yes, it is true...
I come to you
from Russia
with love.
Let me explain.
I am clerical worker-turned-KGB agent on
the FX period spy drama The Americans.
I work at Soviet Embassy in Washington.
I have been trained to use my beauty
and feminine allure to get what I want.
and feminine allure to get what I want.
I am...
how you
Americans
say?... an
"under the
covers"
operative.
As fate would have it... or perhaps by design,
I met and became secret lover
of FBI agent Stan Beeman.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Stan Beeman has become my lifeline, a trusted friend
from enemy camp, a confidant. In Sten Beeman,
I have found my very own- "Secret Agent Man!"
"Secret Agent Man" - Johnny Rivers
(Apr. 1966, highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100/#4 Cash Box,
performance on TV show Hollywood Palace)
Stan Beeman has wife and son...
yet he has become obsessed with me.
No one knows about us. No one knows
what happens behind closed doors.
Our relationship is... how you say?...
clandestine... and very naughty.
We meet every day at safe house.
It is our... what you call?... love nest.
I often find myself in "awkward position."
This is because Stan Beeman uses Kama Sutra
as a reference guide. That is joke - ha ha --
one that Shady Del Knight ordered me
This is because Stan Beeman uses Kama Sutra
as a reference guide. That is joke - ha ha --
one that Shady Del Knight ordered me
to tell. I don't make the rules.
I merely follow them.
In our secret hideaway, Stan Beeman and I make...
how you say?... pillow talk. He and I share a bed
and we also share information - some of it true,
some of it half truth, some of it entirely false.
He knows that I know that he knows that I know
that he knows that I know... but it is all good...
all suspicion and mistrust fades away
when our bodies are entwined.
when our bodies are entwined.
Knowing that we sin, the temptation is too great
and we cannot resist. Stan Beeman and I are...
what is the phrase?... addicted to love.
What Stan Beeman and I do carries great risk.
He has... how you say?... thrown caution
to the wind to keep me safe and happy.
As I gaze into my future, I see house with white picket fence
and many children. There is no denying it, Stan Beeman...
I am your-- "Russian Doll."
"Russian Doll" - Gully Boys
(July 2021)
(July 2021)
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Stan Beeman is drawn to me... how you say?...
like moth to flame. We are like magnet and steel -
caught in tangled web of romance, passion and
deceit. Our illicit affair is... hard habit to break.
"Hard Habit to Break" - Chicago
(Sept./Oct. 1984, highest chart pos. #2 Cash Box/#3 Hot 100)
I came to America as a spy,
but I have come to Shady's
Place for a very different
reason. My mission here
is to, how you Americans
say?..... make pizza
between our countries, so
smile and say "extra cheese."
This I swear. This is my vow.
I, Nina Krilova, will unite
the world through music.
Perhaps you have guessed that my superior, Shady Del Knight,
has tapped me to become the newest member of his
exclusive Shady Bunch DJ department.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
On my new radio program broadcast exclusively here on S-P-M-M,
I will spread glasnost - openness - keeping an open mind. I will
play for you good music from all over the world, such as this
song performed by Welsh singer Shirley Bassey. It is her
only top 40 Billboard hit, the famous theme
from the British spy film Goldfinger.
"Goldfinger" - Shirley Bassey
(Feb./Mar. 1965, highest chart pos. #7 Cash Box/#8 Hot 100,
scenes from Sept. 1964 film Goldfinger)
If you are just joining me,
I am shy girl, fly girl, spy
girl Nina Krilova coming
to you on S-P-M-M
Retrosonic Radio and
From Russia With Love
in a spirit of glasnost.
I do this DJ job by light
of moon because, in day-
time, I am busy as double
agent and secret lover to
FBI agent Stan Beeman.
This is not... how you say?... my first rodeo.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Once I used my charms to seduce my superior, Shady Del Knight.
I attempted to get inside his head and pick his brain for...
how you say?... "intel." It was to no avail. I found
no trace of intelligence. As Mr. Knight discovered,
when you're in love with a beautiful woman.. it's hard.
"When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" - Dr. Hook
(July/Aug. 1979, highest chart pos. #5 Cash Box,
#6 Hot 100, perf. on TopPop The Netherlands)
My time is up and I
must bid you farewell.
Catch me if you can on
The Americans on FX
and Prime, and here
Catch me if you can on
The Americans on FX
and Prime, and here
at Shady's Place as
the newest member
of The Shady Bunch.
This was not my
the newest member
of The Shady Bunch.
This was not my
actual show. It was
merely a decoy, a...
how you Americans
say? - sneaky preview.
START VIDEO
merely a decoy, a...
how you Americans
say? - sneaky preview.
START VIDEO
Nina
Krilova's
Glasnost...
is coming soon. It is
mandatory for you to
tune in, so watch for
my return. Remember
my name, Nina Krilova.
This I promise: my
face and my figure
you will never forget.
"What's Your Name" - Zinno
(Nov. 1985 single)
Nina Krilova
Good morning, Tom! I hope this finds you doing well. The Americans TV series has been waiting for us in cue for quite a while. We really need to watch it. The first and perhaps the only thing I've seen Annet Mahendru in is the Walking Dead spin-off series that flopped after two seasons, The World Beyond. I had no idea that she was in The Americans. I loved the music and the tribute to the James Bond series with all the wonderful song choices used. This was definitely a fun post. Take good care, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for coming, dear friend! You're the Early Bird!
Yessum, Mrs. Shady and I highly recommend the period spy drama The Americans. It's one of the best TV series I have ever seen of any genre, filled with suspense and action. FYI - Richard Thomas (John-Boy from The Waltons) is also in the main cast I think you'll like it. Thanks for letting me know you saw our girl Nina Krilova (Annet) in The Walking Dead: World Beyond. I have not watched that one yet.
Yessum, as you can see, Sean Connery's Bond is in action in two of these videos as I pay tribute to the spy genre in general. I discovered the showender, "What's Your Name?" by Zinno, three or four years ago, but just now got around to using it. From what I gather, Zinno is a German - Belgian EDM group. "What's Your Name" includes the lyrics:
Who are you?
What's your name?
Who are you?
What's your name?
- Bond
My name is…
Bond. James Bond
My name is…
Bond. James Bond
Bon-bon-bon Bond!
James Bond
My name is Bond
Bon-bon-bon Bond!
James Bond
I'm so glad you had fun meeting naughty Nina Krilova and listening to these secret agent spy songs. Thanks again for arriving early and have a wonderful week, dear friend Cathy!
Ughh, I just write something lengthy and it went pfft! I write on my phone. I love this James Bond film..one of the best, I mean, the best name ever- Pussy Galore. Love Secret Agent Man that comea from the British SPY series that stars Patrick McGowan.He is o e of my favourite actors. The 3rd song is not a fav for me but love the Chicago song. Goldfinger is an excellent song and I love that song by Dr. Hook. I had no idea he did this song but I had to give a girly giggle at thw title. ..double entendre anyone?
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy that last song too but don't knokwnit. . Now I must fight a girl to the death after j put my gypsy clothes on but, before I go, I realize that, of I am the first person here and write something, it never sticks..weird eh? I write on my phone will look later thenezt day or so and see that my comment is not there....weird. I hope you are well. I didn't have any comment from you last week on my music or my movies...rare so I hope you are fine and was not angry at me for not leaving g in comment on your great musical blog. I did redo my comment. Wishing you the best and Harley say ruff, ruff. He is trying to sing Jingle Bells but he needs a lot of work
Hi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for making it over in record time this week, dear friend! I'm happy to welcome you to the "sneaky preview" of the new Shady's Place and SPMM Radio series Nina Krilova's Glasnost - bringing pizza to the world through music.
I'm sorry your comment vanished for the second week in a row, dear friend. I thank you for hanging in there and composing another one. Actually, there are two James Bond films represented here: From Russia With Love and Goldfinger, and both star the "real" Bond - swaggering Sean Connery.
Yessum, I remember the TV series Danger Man, renamed Secret Agent here in the U.S., with Patrick McGoohan in the lead role of secret agent John Drake. If you have access to it, I highly recommend the TV series referenced in this series, The Americans, which is set in Washington, D.C. during the Reagan administration in the 1980s. It's top notch!
I'm glad you enjoyed most of the songs introduced by that Shy Girl, Fly Girl, Spy Girl - naughty Nina Krilova. Yessum, that Dr. Hook song is a double entendre ditty for sure.
It seems like the Blogger gremlins do not want to accept comments sent from your phone. If there is any way you can submit them from your computer, that would be worth a try. Also, you have my email address. I am always standing by able and willing to publish comments for friends like you if you are having problems doing so on the site. Simply email me your comment and I'll make sure it gets published.
I wish I could say I am well, but I I have been ill the the last three weeks or more, and last week I tested positive for COVID. I am doing my best to keep up the pace while trying to recover. If I can't get the virus out of my system soon, I might need to postpone my monthly infusion which will create more problems, as I'm sure you know.
Yessum, if my buddy Harley is learning "Jingle Bells," you should get him an audition to become one of the famous Singing Dogs. :)
I'm so glad you had some fun here today, and thanks again for persisting in getting your comment through. Please keep my email handy in case all else fails.
Have a wonderful week, dear friend BB!
Oh, Nina...it probably won't go as you expect!
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, good buddy!
It almost sounds like you have watched The Americans and know how this scenario plays out for Nina Krilova and Stan Beeman. I don't want to be a spoiler, so I will let you and others find out for yourselves what comes of their secret love affair. So, if you haven't watched The Americans, I hope you'll give it a try. It's one of the best series ever produced.
Thanks again for joining the fun, good buddy Alex, and have a great week!
Hi Shady! Ohhhh, James, James Bond...Love Sean Connery as James. He was the best in my book and I always enjoyed heading to the movie theater to see his flicks. The music here today was great and a nice tribute to his movies and I sure enjoyed watching all the scenes. Goldfinger still is my favorite. Well, Zinno was a bit weird though! Ha! I remember all the spy shows on TV during that time and "Secret Agent Man" was a hit during that spy time in the movies and on TV. Nice step back in time. I haven't watched the Americans series but you can't deny that young ladies beauty and I'm sure she's great in that role. Have a good week Shady and I hope you're enjoying a little holiday fun so far this month!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for for rushing through the gate on day one of the run, dear friend!
Funny thing, I am often mistaken for James Bond (Connery) and mobbed by excited females at malls. Yessum, Sean Connery will always be the "real" JB to me and millions of other fans. The sequel with Pee-wee Herman playing Bond simply didn't measure up. :) Yessum, those 1960s Bond films were meant to be seen on the big screen in a movie theater. I vividly recall going to see Goldfinger in the theater with my cousins in early 1965. My eyes popped at the action and spectacle, including the scene in which Oddjob demonstrated how deadly his derby became when used as a Frisbee. I agree with you. Goldfinger remains my favorite film in the 007 series.
Yessum, I'm sure you remember The Man (and The Girl) From U.N.C.L.E., I Spy starring Bill Cosby and Robert Culp, and Get Smart with Don Adams. Mrs. Shady and I highly recommend Nina's TV series The Americans. The main cast includes Richard Thomas (John-Boy from The Waltons). It's a tense thriller set in the Reagan 80s, brilliantly written and acted.
I'm sorry to report that I haven't been enjoying the holiday season so far due to illness. I've been sick since my birthday on Nov. 20, and tested positive for COVID last week. My symptoms have diminished somewhat, but clearly am still dealing with a pesky bug that's taking its good old time clearing my system.
I hope you and Jack and my sweetie pie Annabelle are all well and in good spirits. Thanks again for taking a look and a listen to this "sneaky preview" of the new Shady's Place series Nina Krilova's Glasnost. Have a wonderful week, dear friend YaYa!
I had a friend many years ago that would break out his guitar and sing Secret Agent Man. That was his favorite song to sing.
ReplyDeleteI like some of the 007 movies. Sean Connery...Need I say more? lol
I haven't seen Goldfinger though.
Peter Cetera and Chicago have some of the best songs. I still listen to him.
I knew that Dr Hook song but didn't remember who sang it. They had some good songs too.
Have a good week.
Hi, Mary!
DeleteSo sorry, dear friend! I am 4 hours late finding your comment in my junk folder and getting it published. I apologize for this continuing inconvenience. At least your comments are getting trapped in my spam bin and not disappearing altogether like Birgit's have been doing. Welcome to this sneaky preview of Nina Krilova's Glasnost, featuring spy-theme music and other songs that help tell the story of naughty Nina's fling with an FBI agent.
I'm glad Johnny Rivers' live performance of his hit "Secret Agent Man" brought back fond memories of a friend singing and playing the song.
I'm pleased that you are familiar with the 007 movie series and that you favor Sean Connery in the role of Bond. I have never met a person who didn't prefer Connery as Bond over all others. Goldfinger is arguably the best of the series, and I urge you to see it now that it has been brilliantly restored. Glad you had a favorable reaction to Chicago's 1984 hit "Hard Habit To Break" and Dr. Hook's 1979 biggie.
Thanks again for coming over to play in the Shady, dear friend Mary. You are due for a quieter week on your block and I hope it turns out that way. Please give my buddy Falcor a Beef Pup-Peroni and tell him it's from Shady. Have a safe and happy week, dear friend Mary!
A good theme and some good music, Shady! I think you know I like Johnny Rivers and Secret Agent Man is a dandy!
ReplyDeleteEven though I've never seen an entire Bond film (just a few parts here and there), I love Bond themes and these are good ones. I have a vinyl LP featuring most of the early ones.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteI'm very happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for arriving on the first day to meet and greet Russian "under the covers" spy girl Nina Krilova and listen to her espionage-themed tuneage.
I'm excited that we both think highly of Johnny Rivers. I love his original songs and his cover interpretations. He's tops in my book. Yessum, those 1960s Bond themes stand the test of time. They capture the spirit and style of the Sean Connery era, the best of the Bonds. I saw all of the early films in the series, but bailed out in the early 70s.
Thanks again for being here for this preview of Nina Krilova's Glasnost, and remember her slogan, "Make pizza, not war." :) Please give my good buddy Pat a treat and have a terrific week, dear friend Kelly!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteYou had me grooving this evening. After a topsy-turvey day that ended on a sweet note, this was the much needed soundtrack. I love all of these songs, but I never heard Russian Dolls before. I dig them and will have to check out more of their songs.
I hope that you are feeling better, dear friend. :)
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for swinging by to meet Nina Krilova, the Russian femme fatale from The Americans., a period spy drama TV series that I highly recommend.
If I may correct you, Jess, "Russian Doll" is the name of the song. The band's name is Gully Boys. From what I gather, they are a Minneapolis-based indie band that has at least one "they/them" member, which should be of interest to you. Take a look at their beautiful website:
https://www.gullyboysband.com/
Gully Boys remind me of The Regrettes, a band that I featured here at Shady's Place a few months ago.
Thanks for the well wishes on my condition. I am feeling a little better day by day and plan to take a second COVID test by the end of the week to see where I stand. After more than three weeks of illness, I certainly hope I am over it by now.
Thanks again for joining the fun with Shy Girl, Fly Girl, Spy Girl - Nina Krilova. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI'll give their site a look over tomorrow. I've been going to work at 6:50 AM because of construction and traffic. I've been getting a lot of work done too. Woo, I'm tired. I just finished Kelcee's Christmas gift and now I'm going to lay down.
I hope you test negative. Three weeks is enough, but I used to work with someone who tested positive for a whole month last year. Blah. I hope that is not your case.
Happy Thankful Thursday, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for the return visit, dear friend!
Yessum, check out the Gully Boys' latest song and video released this year entitled "See You See." It's a good one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwAZ7keWo8Y
We fought heavy traffic today as we drove to Orlando Airport and back. I am sorry to report that our car was rammed from behind by another vehicle on one particularly busy stretch of highway. No one was injured, but the rear end of our car sustained well over $1,000 in damage, to be paid by the other guy's insurance company. What an unwanted hassle!
Thanks for the continued well wishes regarding my health. I will test myself first thing tomorrow morning to find out where I stand. Nearly four weeks into it, I am still coughing and blowing my nose.
Happy Thankful Thursday, dear friend JM!
I read in some of the comment responses that you have covid. I myself found out I had contracted it this past Christmas Eve, the same day my parked car got totaled by a 90-year-old man out on a joyride. Needless to say, it was a rather eventful holiday. I'm hoping the one coming up is less eventful and that I get a bit of peace on my minute corner of the Earth. Especially the minute corner of the Earth where I park my car. As for the covid, it was like a bad cold. I had already been doubled vaxxed, so while that didn't keep me from getting it, perhaps it kept me from coming down with too bad a case of it (someone at work, who wasn't vaxxed supposedly for religious reasons, died from it.) I now feel fine. I've also been vaxed against the monkey pox and am scheduled to get a booster shot for that later this month. And as always, I'm vaccinated against the flu. I take no chances. Anyway, though we know each only online, you strike me as someone who's vaxxed, if which case you should get over this.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen The Americans. I'm sure it's as good as you say it is, but my television viewing is very sporadic these days, and I'm leery watching any show where there might be a multiple episode storyline. Of course, I've watched a LOT of TV in my misspent youth, as well as the earlier part of my misspent middle-age, and that includes secret agent shows. Here's one that everyone forgets about, mainly because it's been classified as a western: The Wild, Wild West. But it was about secret agents! They just happened to live in the Old West, where along with cattle rustlers and train robbers you also had mad scientists trying to take over the world. One such mad scientist, Dr. Loveless (played by the dwarf actor Michael Dunn) shrinks agent Jim West down to the size of a mouse, and then, accompanied by his girlfriend, plays "On the Sloop John B" on a piano! 1960s television at its most crazed.
As for this week's songs, I'm unfamiliar with the Gully Boys, but like what I heard here, and how they went from if not ugly then unkempt ducklings to swans in that video. Great hearing Shirley Bassey again. If you'll recall, she also sang "Diamonds are Forever" I checked and Bassey is still alive. Finally, count mine as another vote for Sean Connery as the best Bond of all time.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for staying up late and coming through with a terrific comment in the middle of the week, good buddy!
I also thank you for mentioning my COVID situation. I will test again tomorrow, 8 days after the first test determined I had the virus. I hope I pass the test this week. (I was up all night cramming for it.) Like you, I am vaxed and boosted, plus I've had the flu shot for the season. I shudder to think how I would have felt without those safeguards in place, because I was "poorly" the last 10 days of November. I still have a cough and need to blow my nose a lot, but my energy level is good. I'm happy to learn that you survived a relatively mild case of COVID last year at this time, and sorry your holiday was made extra challenging by having your car smashed. Life goes on.
I hope you can watch The Americans at some point, Kirk. It is tense and suspenseful, intelligently written and brilliantly directed with a fine cast of distinguished actors that includes Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich, Richard (John-Boy Walton) Thomas and Margo Martindale. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War during the 1980s Reagan administration in Washington D.C., The Americans is surely a series you would appreciate.
Thanks for adding to our growing list of spy-themed series by mentioning The Wild Wild West starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin. (Be sure to see Ross along with Glenn Ford, Lee Remick and Stefanie (Girl From U.N.C.L.E.) Powers in the 1962 neo-noir suspense-thriller Experiment In Terror.
As I told Jessica Marie (above) Gully Boys is an interesting band, one that reminds me of The Regrettes. At least one member identifies as "they/them." Check out their latest video "See You See":which starts out with conceptual B roll footage of the bandmates cruising around in their car, then switches to performance mode near the end as they pick up their instruments and sing the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwAZ7keWo8Y
I'm delighted that you give a favorable nod to Shirley Bassey, whose powerful pipes gave us the best Bond theme songs, and Sean Connery who was the one true James Bond, according to most fans of the Ian Fleming film adaptation series.
Thanks again for your visit and great comment, good buddy Kirk!
Oh, yes to Secret Agent Man and, of course, Sean Connery. He could do nothing wrong...not ever. Thanks for more great music and memories. Always enjoy my time here with your selection of videos and tunes!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year, Shady.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
DeleteI've been on the road all day, dear friend, and just now got back. I'm happy to see that you paid a visit to Shady's Place while I was gone. Thanks for dropping by!
For several years in a row, as a New Year's Eve tradition, Mrs. Shady and I watched the Sean Connery film The Hunt For Red October. She loves him as much as you do and, frankly, so do I. I'm glad you like the Johnny Rivers hit "Secret Agent Man" which was also a hit on the Shady Dell jukebox.
I'm delighted that you found a lot to like in this spy-themed post, a preview of a new SPMM series based on The Americans, a TV series that I highly recommend. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you as well, dear friend Cheryl-Lee, and thank you again for visiting. I look forward to our continued friendship throughout 2023!
Hey my friend, Shady - I am just back from yet another trip to Oregon. Honestly I will be so happy when mom-in-law is finally settled somewhere. She was unhappy at the assisted living facility we moved her to AND she fell and cracked some ribs so is in pain and needing more assistance than usual.
ReplyDeleteI love the Dr. Hook song.
Hope you and the Mrs are doing better. Can't stay too long as I have lots of work to catch up on. Next time we have to go up there I am going to bring my transcription equipment with me so I don't get so far behind. Have a wonderful rest of your week.
Hi, Janet!
DeleteI'm just now getting back from a trip myself, a day trip across the state to the airport to welcome a family member who flew in from the West Coast.
OH NO! I am terribly sorry to learn that your mother-in-law wasn't happy at the assisted living facility. The way you described it on your blog, it seemed to have a lot to offer her. On top of that, she fell and cracked her ribs! What a terrible series of events as you head into the heart of the holiday season! I'm so sorry!
Thanks for singling out the Dr. Hook hit. It's a fun song and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
My heart goes out to you, Janet. I can tell that you're all strung out over these latest developments. It's hard to enjoy the holidays with an unexpected turn of events unfolding in another state, requiring you to make one road trip after another, plus the injury to your MIL further complicating matters. All that and bittersweet memories of your own mother who passed away last year at this time. My thoughts are with you, dear Janet. Thank you again for making time for a visit and please take good care of yourself and my buddy Benny!
Sorry to hear about your COVID. I guess I was not a good spy, but I sure would like trying to become one. Get well and Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays whichever you prefer. PS: I think they definitely traded Russia for the wrong person. Jerre
ReplyDeleteHi, Jerre!
DeleteThanks for reporting in, good buddy!
Yes, all three in this household came down with COVID - Mrs. Shady, her son and I. As luck (bad) would have it, I started feeling sick the night of my birthday on Nov. 20, and spent the next two weeks with fever, chills, weakness, dizziness, a chronic cough and runny nose. Around 10 days ago, I finally got tested for COVID and the test was positive. Mrs. Shady had been the first to fall ill a week or so before me, and by the time she tested that same day she was negative. Her son, who lives with us, tested positive. I took the test again this morning and am happy to report that it came back negative this time. I still have a lingering cough and need to blow my nose day and night, but no more chills and fever. So, at this point in time, all three of us are free of the virus and recovering. Thanks for inquiring, good buddy.
Regarding the trade with Russia, I hear ya, Jerre. I'll have you know that I traded my first round draft pick to get Nina Krilova on the Shady Bunch team. :)
The 4th volume of Saved By The Dell is coming up just before Christmas, so stay tuned. I'll inform you by email. Also, stick around for
for seasonal sounds in my next post starting tomorrow morning.
Happy holidays to you, good buddy Jerre!