Any Shirley Bassey Fans out there?

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:31 pm

Hi Paul

Thanks for updating us on the chart positions of The Living Tree. I am disappointed by the low placing.

You don't like Michael Buble?
He is very popular here and I must admit I don't dislike him. If you compare him to Matt Monro, well Matt's the original and Michael's the carbon copy albeit a not very good one.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:43 pm

I'm sorry Terence, but I do not see how you can compare Michael Buble to our Matt, no comparison to me at all

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:46 pm

Terence -- I was very impressed with the top 40 placement for Shirley Bassey. It's very tough to make the top 40 now, because the singles chart now includes all downloads. So you get people still downloading old songs because they are just discovering them or they just received an ipod. Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars and the dreadful Everytime We Touch by Cascada are almost a year old and are still on the charts.

I see Michael Buble as a garden variety lounge singer. To use a Simon Cowell comment, I can hear that voice in any hotel lounge. I hear no influence of Matt Monro whatsoever. I do hear lots of Frank Sinatra in Buble's styling, but he can't pull them off. Plus he has no voice, no vibrato, nothing. I'll stop now or Marian from Kent won't talk to me anymore.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:54 pm

That's Ok Jeff---I know you have your own [not good] opinion of Michael Buble. But that is what makes the world go round---it would be boring if we all liked just the same singers, music, books, films etc. etc. etc.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:05 pm

I'll stop now or Marian from Kent won't talk to me anymore.

And Michael of Hants will join her

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:39 pm

Yes, you've upset my Mrs, Jeff.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:00 pm

I don't think Amanda will be upset with me very long, Gray. Please recall that she loves my American accent and we like the same groups: The Feeling, Keane, etc.

I will try to keep my Michael Buble comments to myself for 30 days. But I will keep you posted on his poor showing on this week's UK singles chart.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:15 am

Well, as Paul is going to keep his comments to himself about Michael Buble for the time being,

we'll step in and bang on about how we went to see Michael at the Shaftsbury Theatre last Tuesday, thanks to our good forum friend on here Mark.
Not only is he a great singer and a true professional, but the good news is that this show will be broadcast on the BBC Radio 2 in the evening on the following dates, Monday 7th of May and the 14th..

jon · Post by **jon** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:48 pm

I come to Paul/Jeff's defence here: I am also not enamoured of Michael Buble and see no Matt influences in him.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:12 pm

Thanks Jon for coming to my defence.

Good new on Shirley Bassey. A report I read last night now has her single in the top 30. Everyone: please buy her single at your local HMV, Virgin, or Woolworths.

It is so interesting to read the positive reaction from young kids who are posting on various websites. They are saying that this 70 years young woman sounds much better than the current pop stars. This is great, because it exposes these kids to a different kind of music and to real singers.

Billmiler · Post by **Billmiler** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:34 pm

He's ok! There's no Matt Monro in him at all! But he'll survive! As some of you know I impersonate Dean Martin, and try to be cool where-ever I entertain but if Buble can fill the Royal Albert Hall, then he must have something. But as people have said we can't all be the same in our likes. Thanks for the news on Shirley - I predicted a Top 10 slot for her prior to the release of Living Tree. I keep getting emails from an Ed Burrow who has something to do with the Shirl Stable. He likes my 'Dino' voice but never introduces me to a booking anywhere!

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:35 pm

It's our different opinions of all kinds of music that keeps the forum alive and, In our opinion, as far as Michael Buble is concerned there is no vocal connection or likeness to Matt's voice whatsoever. They have totally different personalities, style and stage presence too.
If Buble resembles any singer perhaps a cross between Richard Haymes and Mel Torme would be closer.
His version of "How Do You Mend A Broken Heart " is an example.
Now on to Shirl, we'll buy anything that our Shirl brings out, and come to think of it not many sound like her either.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:54 pm

Wow - what a fantastic tune the 'Living Tree' is. Have downloaded it from I-tunes, and may have to buy more than one version!! Shirley has always been a marvellous performer, and a great chameleon in adapting her style over the years. She continues to win new audiences with her adaptations of modern influences onto her trademark dramatic style. Her appearance in the M&S Xmas campaign last year was brilliant - a real surprise

I'm so jealous of L & H going to see the talented Mr Buble this week! How long ago did you have to buy the tickets for that? I will try and listen on R2. There is a new album of standards due out soon.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:19 am

Hardly any waiting time at all Mike, it was information received from Mark to simply send an e-mail from us Two eager Michael Buble fans who were then invited to be in the audience for the BBC show that was to be recorded for Radio. It was an offer we couldn't refuse. Who would when he was singing with the Radio 2 Big Band plus Michaels own quintet totalling about 3 Dozen musicians.... and free.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:19 am

I'm sure you all know this. (Maybe I read it in the forum!) But Dame Shirley Bassey's new album is out in May and will include Get The Party Started, a song that only Shirley Bassey should be singing. I'm certain it will sell huge amounts and make the top 10.

Michael -- If you buy the CD single of The Living Tree, you'll get all the mixes and the single version. So walk over to the Virgin in Kensington on your lunch hour and get the single! It has a great cover! And it will help the chart ranking.

Matt Monro Forum

Any Shirley Bassey Fans out there?

disappointing

Buble!