Dame Shirley Bassey: Electric Proms
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What magnificent electrifying concert … I thoroughly enjoyed this special performance by Dame Shirley Bassey for the BBC Electric Proms … to celebrate her 50 years in show-business … from London's Roundhouse.
She performed many of my favourite tracks, in an extremely well chosen repertoire with terrific, volcanically explosive drama … stylish grace and sheer class and panache … opening with Diamonds Are Forever, and including a sexy performance of Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me, Big Spender … a thundering version of What Now My Love accompanied by the drums of the Welsh Guards, The Girl From Tiger Bay, I Am What I Am, and climaxing with a powerhouse rendition of Goldfinger amidst a blizzard of gold confetti.
Dame Shirley was accompanied by beautifully arranged powerful and well crafted orchestrations by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Mike Dixon and Grammy Award-winning British James Bond composer and conductor David Arnold who has also produced her forthcoming album The Performance.
Looking marvellous and wearing a scintillating and shimming silver gown slit up to the thigh … Dame Shirley, the 72 years young Welsh diva … known as the Tigress from Tiger Bay … wowed the audience with an absolutely stunning performance … her incredible voice is still quite magnificent.
A sensational performance of pure gold.
Emma
The Times online review … David Sinclair … 26th October 2009 … 4/5 stars …
Coming out of retirement to record and promote The Performance, her first new studio album in 20 years, Dame Shirley Bassey has gone from superannuated cabaret turn to Living Pop Legend in one effortless bound. Setting the seal on one of the shrewdest marketing campaigns in recent memory, the 72-year-old diva made a commanding return to the concert stage for a special performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra as part of the Electric Proms.
The atmosphere was certainly electric as a curtain fell from around a hydraulic platform set in the middle of the stage to reveal Bassey in all her glittering, split-skirt glory. The platform slowly descended to the opening strains of Diamonds Are Forever and she was off. A string of guest musicians made cameo appearances, including David Arnold, Tom Baxter and Richard Hawley, all of whom added discreet guitar accompaniments to various new songs. Bassey greeted each of these favoured “young men” with effusive affection, although none were invited to sing a note, not even James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, whose song The Girl from Tiger Bay was a highlight.
For when it comes to a Bassey performance, no supplementary voices are required or desired. Still blessed with a larger-than-life stage presence and an armour-plated vocal delivery, she romped through favourites from her own back catalogue, including the salacious burlesque of Kiss Me, Honey, Honey, Kiss Me and Big Spender, along with standards such as The Lady Is a Tramp, Something and Light My Fire, by which time she was encased in a flowing, white, fur-trimmed cape.
Virtually every number ended with her voice and outstretched arms rising in one mountainous climb to a final, awe-inspiring bellow. Tossing white carnations to the sea of hands in front of the stage, she locked on to the melody of Goldfinger like a heat-seeking missile while gold confetti rained down from the roof.
name='mrs_emma_peel']Dame Shirley Bassey: Electric Proms
BBC Red Button ... Freeview 301 ... BBC iPlayer
Virtually every number ended with her voice and outstretched arms rising in one mountainous climb to a final, awe-inspiring bellow.
The voice that could sink a thousand ships!
She gave up singing in favour of 'performing' many years ago.
name='narabdela']The voice that could sink a thousand ships!
She gave up singing in favour of 'performing' many years ago.
Did you actually watch her performance? I was worried that her voice might have faded with age, but she hit every top note effortlessly. What I liked about her was that although she did all the old favourites, she also treated us to some new songs, two of them accompanied by a solo guitarist. I very much doubt whether any of the X Factor wannabees will still be going strong in 50 years time.
The ocean of "talent" we see coming out of these shows are forgotten by the next series! How many of us can quickly name the last 3 winners of X-Factor etc? never mind runners up! They do not tend to kick-start careers for the winners, who often find themselves dropped by thier record label after a few token hit singles.
I agree fully on Bassey's calibre and showomanship!
Her years as the star of Royal Variety performances proved her quality and staying power. Her Bond themes are the ones that tend to match the pomp and scale of the films. There is young talent out there, but we are presented with a fair amount of mediocrity to wade through before we find it....
name='Ray']Did you actually watch her performance? I was worried that her voice might have faded with age, but she hit every top note effortlessly. What I liked about her was that although she did all the old favourites, she also treated us to some new songs, two of them accompanied by a solo guitarist. I very much doubt whether any of the X Factor wannabees will still be going strong in 50 years time.
Just a note for any Shirley Bassey fans out there that tomorrow night on BBC1 there is a 1 hour special on BBC 1 at 10.35 pm :
BBC - BBC One Programmes - Imagine, Winter 2009, Dame Shirley Bassey: The Girl from Tiger Bay
http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p36t8
name='Ray'] I was worried that her voice might have faded with age, but she hit every top note effortlessly.
Absolutely phenominal!!!
Many thanks for the info, Edward, on the Imagine: Shirley Bassey documentary
Emma
My pleasure, Mrs Peel.
After all, "There ain't nothing like a Dame!"
A wonderful welcome double repeat of two superb Shirley Bassey programmes … first, Imagine: The Girl From Tiger Bay (first shown on BBC1) documents the process of compiling a new album … the second is the classic Dame Shirley Bassey Electric Prom of 2009 ... IMO the best Electric Prom ever ... a double-bill of outstanding quality and splendid BBC4 scheduling …
Imagine ...
BBC4 Tuesday 24th May 2011 ... 9.00-10.00pm/12.35-1.35am
Dame Shirley Bassey: The Girl from Tiger Bay
Alan Yentob gains exclusive access and insight into the creative world of Dame Shirley as she tentatively re-enters the ring to confront her life in song. Some of the best contemporary songwriters, including Gary Barlow, Manic Street Preachers, Rufus Wainwright and famous Bond composer John Barry, have interpreted her life through song for a new album produced by David Arnold. A back story explains just what makes Dame Shirley Bassey the living legend she is today.
BBC Electric Proms
BBC4 Tuesday 24th May 2011 ... 10.00-11.00pm/1.35-2.35am
Dame Shirley Bassey
Trevor Nelson and Edith Bowman present highlights of Dame Shirley Bassey's special performance for the BBC Electric Proms 2009 from London's Roundhouse. The British icon performs a set packed with classic tracks like Big Spender and Goldfinger, as well as songs from her more recent album The Performance, produced by Bond composer David Arnold. Dame Shirley is joined on stage by the BBC Concert Orchestra, with guest appearances by album collaborators David Arnold, James Dean Bradfield from the Manic Street Preachers, singer-songwriter Tom Baxter and Sheffield crooner Richard Hawley.
Sources: DigiGuide/Radio Times
Diamonds Are Forever … I’m Still Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1L5GnmJ8rw
Kiss Me Honey Honey … Almost There
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFnseF-LBOQ
What Now My Love … Big Spender … After the Rain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcdjO9f8tvE
The Girl From Tiger Bay … I Am What I Am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiI0gvVY87Y
Goldfinger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMPfQ6Rfbl8
The Girl With The Golden Voice ...
Dame Shirley performs many of my favourite tracks, in an extremely well chosen repertoire, including all her classic hits, delivered with stunning, volcanically vocally explosive drama … coupled with a stylish grace, seductive good humour and sheer class and panache ... Accompanied by the full BBC Concert Orchestra on equally superb form ...
Dame Shirley opens with Diamonds Are Forever, and includes a sexy performances of Kiss Me Honey Honey and Big Spender ... a thundering, powerhouse version of What Now My Love accompanied by the drums of the Welsh Guards, performs (her beautiful new hit song) The Girl From Tiger Bay, I Am What I Am, and climaxes the evening with an incredible, thundering, powerhouse rendition of her most famous song: John Barry’s Goldfinger ... amidst a blizzard of gold confetti.
The magnificent resonant sound created by Dame Shirley and the BBC Concert Orchestra is quite majestic making this one of the very best concerts I have ever seen ... If you haven’t seen this concert before you are in for a very special treat ... Dame Shirley is on absolutely scintillating form.
This superb double bill of Shirley Bassey programmes makes for a wonderful, exceptionally uplifting evening’s entertainment ... the Dame Shirley Electric Prom especially, is simply a must-see programme
Emma
Last edited by mrs_emma_peel; 19-05-11 at 04:58 AM.
Dame Shirley was also on top form during the Classic Brit Awards on 12th May.
Broadcast: Sunday, 29th May, 2011
ITV1 at 10pm
I cannot improve on Mrs Emma Peel's superb summary but I would urge anyone here even remotely interested in Shirley Bassey or just fabulous music to watch these 2 programmes - especially the monumental Electric proms concert.
Just about the best TV concert I have ever seen - and I have watched many over the years.
Bassey pulls out all the stops and her sheer elegance, class, humour, banter with the audience and unbelievably powerful and expressive voice, coupled with an orchestra to die for make this a joy to watch and listen to.
Many thanks Edwardand Maurice for the Classic Brit Awards info
Emma
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