Any Shirley Bassey Fans out there?

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:04 pm

Well done our Shirley..

She's so down to earth!!!!
Marian

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:01 pm

The story about Shirley dropping on her way back was just on the local news, along with home video footage taken by local residents - she seemed so nice!

Anyway - today is the 25th and so I logged in to i-tunes expecting to see this much anticipated album splashed all over the place. In fact I had to really search for it, and for most of the day thought that for some reason it hadn't gone straight to download. Then in the last few minutes I have found it hidden away - by searching for tracks that i knew was on it.

This is the 1st album I have downloaded in its entirety, I usually cherry-pick tracks, but at Â£7.90 for all 13 tracks I thought what the heck!

What can I say about the album? Hopefully those of you planning to buy it are aware that its a lot of Shirleys old tracks with a modern funky arrangement. So, you have 'Kiss me honey honey' turned from frothy pop into sultry ballad, accompanied by what sounds like the band that used to appear on French & Saunders! In fact a lot of tracks on the album sound like they have only a yamaha keyboard with a huge variety of rythmns and voices as accompaniment! 'Big Spender' has a grungy rock sound - almost like the last Bond theme. 'What now my loves' has an OTT dramatic orchestral crescendo, and 'Where is the love' has the most wonderfully lush lounge sound to it! And the great ballad 'This is my life' has a swirling new electro-pop backing that the Pet Shop Biys could have dreamt up! The most recognisable is 'I who have nothing', which gets a great new drum beat throughout

Now, I happen to think that all of this a great testament to Dame Shirley, and her appeal to audiences over the last 50 years. Here she presents a funky, quirky take on songs from all across her career that are bound to attract a new audience. The tracks all ooze the voice and charisma of this wonderful diva, but some of the arrangements may not meet with universal applause! I love it though! Just got to make room on my ipod now!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:05 pm

Mike--what a great review you have given there--I had not realised that all the older songs had been given new arrangements--sounds like an interesting cd---so now--do I go to Itunes---or Amazon---or HMV ??

Decisions, decisions !!!!

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:08 pm

The new arrangement of 'Big Spender' is really growing on me! I forgot to say that the albums title track, 'get this party started' is fantastic - if you liked her singing this on the M&S advert last year (didn't we all!) , then you will love the rest of the album!

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:08 pm

Awww - thanks for the nice comments - haven't had a chance to do al long post for a while - and need to go off to bed now!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 11:14 pm

I loved Dame Shirley singing "Get the Party started" last year-as many others did---so I think it is just great that it is being used in this way.

john · Post by **john** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:11 am

"Get The Party Started" is played every night in the pub I go in (nearly every night!)

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:39 am

Thanks for the lengthy review of Shirleys Album Mike.

To start with , not sure that her "Kiss Me Honey Honey" sung as a ballad will delight us to that extent, but then who knows what may appeal as accompanimental music to each of these tracks, so we will be intrigued and want to buy it.

On another note of music accompaniment sounding like voices who could forget the Musician's strike that began in 1942 and went in to 43, when not out of choice the accappella choral sound was used, and it proved to be a pretty good substitute for top recording artists like Sinatra for instance.
Enjoy those Shirley tracks Mike anyway.

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:48 am

Hi Marian

I prefer a physical CD rather than downloads. I want to appreciate the cover art and read the liner notes, don't you? There may be good or rare pics of the Dame too.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:35 am

HI Terence---yes I must admit I had already decided to go for the cd---I use Itunes if it is just one track that I want, but cds are more versatile.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:40 am

We also like the CDs in preference Terence and Marian. Many of us felt the same about our vinyl too when the CD arrived.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:06 pm

I still like the old vinyl if you can find a really mint copy. Just bought an early Matt from 1961, "Portrait," on the Decca Ace of Clubs label. Very young Matt on the cover. I'm very pleased with it.

Marian

Billmiler · Post by **Billmiler** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:08 pm

Such great news, reviews, advice on cds, talk of tracks etc - where else would you get info like this - so glad I found the Matt Monro Forum - thanks Michelle!

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:42 pm

I wonder if this is true :
http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/3am/tm_ ... _page.html

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:29 pm

Hi Terence--I would say that it is all true !! And rightfully so--she is a star and should be treated as one.

As I was away, I only saw a little of her performance, but I saw the initialled boots, and the red carpet. Well, they could hardly expect her to traipse through the mud !!

Any Shirley Bassey Fans out there?

Terence Lee

Bossy Bassey at Glastonbury?