Shirley Bassey Albums (20)
'I've Got a Song for You: And We Were Lovers'
Release Date 11/15/2005
Tracks 24
Label Beat Goes On
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'Live at Carnegie Hall'
Release Date 6/21/2005
Tracks 22
Label Beat Goes On
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What The Critics Say
This double LP recorded May 11 and 12, 1973, and released that same year features a dozen violinists, four violas, four cellos, piano, bass, drums, guitar, percussion, and the amazing voice of the incomparable Shirley Bassey. Officially titled "Shirley Bassey Live at Carnegie Hall featuring Woody Herman and the Young Thundering Heard," Live at Carnegie Hall begins with her biggest American hit, "Goldfinger," and doesn't let up. Starting with a song that euphoric is impressive; few could lead off a concert with their signature tune and get away with it, but her voice is in amazing shape, and she sets the tone as this precious set of material is flawlessly reinvented. That's the Bassey treatment. She hits the audience with the hits. "Where Am I Going" and "Big Spender" from the musical production Sweet Charity, "For All We Know" from the motion picture Lovers and Other Strangers, and "Day by Day" from Godspell were melodies which reached the public consciousness thanks to other artists -- the Carpenters on "For All We Know," and the original cast for the Godspell hit. Bassey just overpowers each memory when she's got your ear and uses the spirit of each song to take flight. The accompaniment is superb, but never gets in the way of the diva. Dusty Springfield titled her orchestrated 1967 album Where Am I Going and Bassey takes the same tune and shifts it to her arena. "And I Love You So" had become an adult contemporary staple at the time, thanks to Perry Como's hit version this very same year, but she dispenses with the pop and injects pure soul into what was originally Don McLean's light folk tune. Add George Harrison's "Something" to the mix, and it makes for a very appealing set. Bassey's interpretations are clearly her own, with the originals or most famous versions finding themselves as great reference points. I Capricorn was one of her albums released before this live set and Never, Never, Never the studio album which would follow; both title tracks get riveting performances here, the album flowing seamlessly. Her on-stage chatter along with another 007 theme, "Diamonds Are Forever," help make Live at Carnegie Hall a sweeping tour de force. It's just a breathtaking live album from a timeless artist. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide
'Never, Never, Never'
Release Date 7/22/2003
Tracks 12
Label Remember
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'Old Friends and Lovers'
Release Date 1/28/2003
Tracks 12
Label Varese
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'I Capricorn'
Release Date 8/7/2000
Tracks 12
Label EMI Music Distribution
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What The Critics Say
In keeping with the title, Shirley Bassey's follow-up to her 1970 hit LP Something does indeed present a bit of a change of direction. In fact, it's a step back to her MOR dates of the mid-'60s; the album includes no recent rock standards, and the arrangements focus on full-orchestra symphonic pop with fewer nods to the contemporary scene. Though it didn't chart quite as high as its predecessor, it did make the Top Ten while her version of "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story" hit the Top 40 in Britain. Most of the album is given over to large scale, dramatic pop songs -- "It's Impossible," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Until It's Time to Go" -- best treated by a full-throated vocalist like Bassey. It's not quite as raucous or adventurous as Something, but it must've been an easier album to digest for Bassey fans from way back. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Shirley Bassey recorded the concert she performed on her 60th birthday in 1997 as Birthday Concert. The show took place at Althorp Park in England. The set list includes some of her most famous songs, including "Diamonds are Forever," "Big Spender," and "Something." Some of the songs are surprising, like her cover of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is," and some she has been singing for years, like "Hey Jude." The average sound quality leaves a little to be desired. This is the perfect way for a fan with superficial knowledge of Shirley Bassey's career to dig in a bit deeper. It is also a more traditional introduction, as opposed to some of her work with the Propellerheads. ~ JT Griffith, All Music Guide
'Let Me Sing and I'm Happy'
Release Date 1/1/1994
Tracks 16
Label EMI
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