You should know either all four, or at least one of these names: Michel Legrand, The Thomas Crown Affair, Noel Harrison, and The Windmills of Your Mind. I’ve never seen Noel Harrison’s performance of the song, but, hey, he has the one and only website with a lot of videos, both old and recent, are featured. I found a video of him performing The Windmills of Your Mind in Devon in November 2008. Accompanying himself on a guitar, Harrison brings the same depth to the song that had previously won him and Legrand an Oscar for the Best Soundtrack. Incidentally, the song was recently in the charts again.
In January 2009 I spent the much-needed 35GBP on a ticket to Legrand’s concert at the Manchester Bridgewater Hall. I had to make ends meet as a result, but I have never regretted it. The chance to see one of the greatest and prolific composers on the 20th c. was one of a lifetime. According to Harrison, the film producers tracked down his agent and initially offered $30K to record the soundtrack; naturally, the singer agreed. Later in the day the sum turned into the mere $500. Wondering if or not to take the offer, Harrison asked: “Who wrote it, anyway?” “Michel Legrand“, was the answer. Harrison, gobsmacked and honoured, went to the recording studio.