Random Intelligence Dispatches For August 12, 2007

New Patrick McGoohan Biography

Amazon.co.uk lists a new biography of Secret Agent star Patrick McGoohan as having been released in England last month. Patrick McGoohan: Danger Man Or Prisoner? promises to "explain the enigma that is McGoohan!" Not having read it, I can't say if it manages to do that, but it does have a catchy cover! Amazon lists an October U.S. release date (and offers a pretty good discount on the rather hefty price tag), so I'll probably wait till then to pick it up.

Sir Michael Caine To Release Album

All of us who have been waiting decades for many-time spy star Michael Caine to put out a CD can now breathe a collective sigh of relief.... The album we didn't even know we had to have is on its way! Well, sort of. Sir Michael isn't actually recording anything, but he's curating a compilation of "chill-out music" called - wait for it - Cained. The Playlist points the way to a London Times article on the subject, which drops quite a few references to the espionage side of his career. "Michael Caine was the personification of icy cool as secret agent Harry Palmer in The Ipcress File, but it wasn't until he wowed Elton John with his knowledge of downtempo ambient music that he realised he was a chill-out expert. Now the Alfie actor, 74, has announced the name of his new chill-out album - Cained - a selection of his favourite mellow tracks." So there you have it. Amazon.co.uk lists a September 3 release date, and a tracklist that includes Delerium, Nina Simone and Felix Da Housecat, Magnet's "Lay Lady Lay" and, appropriately, a track by Roy Budd. Now just keep your fingers crossed for that Roger Moore electroclash compilation...