Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Review
After 2007’s patchy, Grandma-with-a-ringtone album Get the Party Started, The Performance is a return to what Bassey does best: sweeping, orchestral overstatement. This collection is also contemporary, but instead of resorting to Mark Ronson or other remixers du-jour, she mines the talents of a collection of disparate, yet established songwriters.
The turned-to-11 string arrangements could fuel space travel, so there is little room for restraint. Given Bassey’s three Bond themes, it is fitting that the current 007 soundtracker, David Arnold, is producer/arranger here. John Barry even hands her his first song since Diamonds Are Forever – shame it’s not as good, but then what is? The collaborations gel neatly with Arnold’s production, particularly an unlikely Kaiser Chiefs’ contribution, which resists a Bassey Britpop vocal about shoplifting and is surprisingly Bond-ish. It’s certainly superior to recent under-written themes, even if I Love You Now will struggle to find a suitable villain.
Another highlight is Rufus Wainwright’s flamenco-esque Apartment, where Bassey finds the skip of a woman half her age. However, Gary Barlow’s contribution does little to stem his slide into music so polite it should now be excused.
It’s easy to forget, with the avalanche of indie sixth-formers wishing to share their worldly wisdom, the value of well-earned lines such as the shimmering “Now, I’m not quite so young / I’m not quite so foolish in my defence” sung by a 72-year-old, although adding “I’m not your girl…” may be pushing it.
There is a midway lull, with As God Is My Witness meandering so idly one sympathises with the big fellow. Surprisingly, things are saved by Manic Street Preachers’ wistfully autobiographical The Girl From Tiger Bay, which echoes Bassey’s turn on Propellerheads’ History Repeating, while Pet Shop Boys continue their healthy track record of writing for female icons with the defiantly fragile title track.
Admirably shaking away cruise-ship shtick, Bassey wraps herself around these songs with gusto, meaning that perhaps, for once, mum’s Christmas present will find a place on the family stereo. --Tom Hocknell
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
CD Description
Dame Shirley Bassey, Britain’s most successful female artist ever, releases her first full studio album in over 20 years. The Performance was produced by David Arnold, the Grammy Award-winner best known for scoring five James Bond films and features songs written specifically for Dame Shirley by a stellar cast of contemporary artists, including Take That’s Gary Barlow, Manic Street Preachers, Pet Shop Boys, KT Tunstall and Rufus Wainwright.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
78 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
At the beginning of 2009, if somebody had told me that one of my favourite albums of the year was going to be by Shirley Bassey, I think I would have laughed at them, but it's true. Now, ever since I first heard it, I've been busy telling incredulous people how great it is. I don't blame them for not believing me, because in this case, hearing is believing. The combination of the undeniably fabulous songs, passionately and beautifully delivered by Shirley and a magnificent orchestra, all produced by David Arnold, is just musical heaven. What's even more impressive is the roll-call of the songwriters who have contributed to this album's success, plus the fact that Shirley hasn't gone down the road of simply covering the classics - she has a whole host of excellent musicians queuing up to write her new classics!
Such is the quality of this album, I could list every single track as a highlight, but for the sake of brevity, I will briefly describe the real talking points. "Almost There", which is my personal favourite Tom Baxter song, opens "The Performance" - and what a performance it is! When the heartbreaking song swells and explodes, it gives the listener chills down your neck and spine... absolutely magnificent. Track two is "Apartment", a Latin-tinted, toe-tapping Rufus Wainwright song, penned specifically for this album, sounding every bit like a modern Shirley Bassey classic. The first time I listened to the album, I did so without reading the liner notes, wanting to guess who had written the different songs. For the beautiful, loungey "This Time", I was guessing Burt Bacharach, mainly because of the time signature, use of strings and the muted horns - but it was none other than Gary Barlow. To be perfectly honest, I'm impressed.
"I Love You Now", composed by Nick Hodgson of The Kaiser Chiefs, is a classy, minor key beauty, which could easily have been written for Shirley in her heyday. "No Good About Goodbye", brilliantly written by David Arnold and Don Black, is just superb and could easily have been a 70's Bond theme - and what a vocal performance by Shirley. My personal pick on the album is the tremendous "The Girl From Tiger Bay", written by the Manic Street Preachers and David Arnold. As a huge fan of James Dean Bradfield and the Manics, it's almost frustrating to hear such a brilliant song given away - but what a worthy cause! Wonderful, tailor-made lyrics for Ms. Bassey as well. The last highlight of the album, for me, is the slightly camp, but genuinely touching and emotional Pet Shop Boys-written finale, "The Performance Of My Life". Other songs on the album are written by John Barry & Don Black, David Arnold and David McAlmont, KT Tunstall and Richard Hawley - and they're all excellent.
I doubt that it could be said that I'm Dame Shirley's typical audience, but the names behind the songs drew me into this album and it has turned out to be one of the greatest albums I've heard all year. Whatever your "normal" taste in music, this is a sensational album, absolutely packed with wonderful songs and some of the finest performances by a vocalist you will have ever heard. I can't recommend "The Performance" highly enough. Every home should have a copy!
Such is the quality of this album, I could list every single track as a highlight, but for the sake of brevity, I will briefly describe the real talking points. "Almost There", which is my personal favourite Tom Baxter song, opens "The Performance" - and what a performance it is! When the heartbreaking song swells and explodes, it gives the listener chills down your neck and spine... absolutely magnificent. Track two is "Apartment", a Latin-tinted, toe-tapping Rufus Wainwright song, penned specifically for this album, sounding every bit like a modern Shirley Bassey classic. The first time I listened to the album, I did so without reading the liner notes, wanting to guess who had written the different songs. For the beautiful, loungey "This Time", I was guessing Burt Bacharach, mainly because of the time signature, use of strings and the muted horns - but it was none other than Gary Barlow. To be perfectly honest, I'm impressed.
"I Love You Now", composed by Nick Hodgson of The Kaiser Chiefs, is a classy, minor key beauty, which could easily have been written for Shirley in her heyday. "No Good About Goodbye", brilliantly written by David Arnold and Don Black, is just superb and could easily have been a 70's Bond theme - and what a vocal performance by Shirley. My personal pick on the album is the tremendous "The Girl From Tiger Bay", written by the Manic Street Preachers and David Arnold. As a huge fan of James Dean Bradfield and the Manics, it's almost frustrating to hear such a brilliant song given away - but what a worthy cause! Wonderful, tailor-made lyrics for Ms. Bassey as well. The last highlight of the album, for me, is the slightly camp, but genuinely touching and emotional Pet Shop Boys-written finale, "The Performance Of My Life". Other songs on the album are written by John Barry & Don Black, David Arnold and David McAlmont, KT Tunstall and Richard Hawley - and they're all excellent.
I doubt that it could be said that I'm Dame Shirley's typical audience, but the names behind the songs drew me into this album and it has turned out to be one of the greatest albums I've heard all year. Whatever your "normal" taste in music, this is a sensational album, absolutely packed with wonderful songs and some of the finest performances by a vocalist you will have ever heard. I can't recommend "The Performance" highly enough. Every home should have a copy!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What a fabulous performance with some great new songs. My favourites are The Girl from Tiger Bay, The Performance, and best of all After the Rain. Its great to have a new albumn and this would make an excellent Christmas present for anyone who has enjoyed Shirley Bassey over the years. The Dame is certainly back, and this is certainly The Performance - simply FABULOUS.
42 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Dame Shirley Bassey is looking amazing and her voice is as good as ever. I have just been to see the BBC Electric Prom at the Roundhouse in Camden, London. Her performance at age 72 for an hour and a half was beautiful, emotional and quite extraordinary. I wanted to cry I was so happy to be standing in the intimate atmosphere with people around me whooping, squealing and exclaiming. The atmosphere was 'electric' and full of love and admiration of our Dame. The new songs, written by current artists, sounded stunning and were delivered with emotion and subtlety in a softer tone and the expected DSB style . Quite captivating and entrancing. I was blown away, as always. DSB is an incredible lady that I want to hear much more of. Thankfully age has not diminished her voice or performance skills. She is truly astounding and I defy anyone to not be impressed by her performance. There is definately much more to be had from the delicious Dame. She never fails to impress.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dame Shirley at her best
Dame Shirley Bassey at her best. A fantastic album from beginning to end. A must for any Shirley fan. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Paul J. A. Scanlan
Shirley Bassey Album
This is an excellent album and the latest from Shirley Bassey. All songs specially written by various famous
artists.If you are a Bassey fan you will not be disappointed. Read more
artists.If you are a Bassey fan you will not be disappointed. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Iain Whyte
Brilliant!
I love this album. Brilliant songs sung by the genius that is Shirley Bassey. Can't recommend it enough.
Hard to say which is my favourite song as I love so many of them. Read more
Hard to say which is my favourite song as I love so many of them. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gemima G
What do I know?
Listen to Shirley Bassey? - No way, this was the music my parents listened to whilst I was indulging myself in heavy and progressive rock in the early 70s. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Tim Oxford
The magic of Shirley
Really enjoying this album...haunting music and her voice is fantastic...the melodies stay in your head and I find myself humming them for days afterwards. Read more
Published 10 months ago by S. E. Donovan
Very Moving
All Dame Shirley's 50 years in the business is evident here in this wonderful collection of songs. Her voice is amazing given her age and her maturity is needed for some of these... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Grahame
SHIRLEY IN A DIFFERENT VEIN
THOUGH NOT A BIG SHIRLEY BASSEY FAN I FOUND THIS CD GROWS ON YOU AND GETS BETTER
EACH TIME YOU PLAY IT . SHIRLEY SINGS VERY WELL AND COVERS AN INTERESTING VARIETY OF SONGS . Read more
EACH TIME YOU PLAY IT . SHIRLEY SINGS VERY WELL AND COVERS AN INTERESTING VARIETY OF SONGS . Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mr. Aa James
Just buy The Performance
I was never been a big Bassey fan until this album.....It has me blown away....I have probably bought about 5 copies so far and given them to friends, everyone likes it...... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. C. J. Spurling
O MY GOD!!
this is amazing!!!! I'm not a Shirley Bassey fan never have been
but this is simple wonderfull!! Read more
but this is simple wonderfull!! Read more
Published 15 months ago by Als
Excellent
I just bought this for my Dad for Christmas but since there was no cellophane wrapper, I decided to have a sneak preview......and I'm glad I did! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Sid
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
