Saturday 3 October 2015

Shirley Bassey – SHIRLEY BASSEY***

Love Is A Many Splendored Thing/The Nearness Of You/Fools Rush In/Who Are We/Angel Eyes/Till/A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening/This Love Of Mine/You’re Nearer/Goodbye Lover Hello Friend/Where Or When/ Where Are You/Climb Ev’ry Mountain

Shirley Bassey was at the peak of her popularity in the early 1960s, appealing to the adult market with her interpretations of the MOR ballads of the day. Shirley Bassey includes Climb Ev’ry Mountain, a British No. 1 hit single. (UK:14)

“Shirley Bassey is a fine LP. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing and Till are particular favourites. The whole album is good however. Geoff Love and his orchestra provide fine backing musicianship. Shirley Bassey followers will be thrilled with this one.”

“A pleasing if uneven collection of songs, accompanied by Geoff Love and his orchestra. Once one gets past the most questionable track here (the opener, no less), a version of Love Is A Many Splendored Thing that Bassey belts out to a too-loud accompaniment, everything is a winner. The best cut here, and one of the highlights of her early recording career, is The Nearness Of You, a dark and moody, totally sensual experience in which her voice gently washes over the listener. Fools Rush In isn't far behind, and she also acquits herself well on the bluesy Angel Eyes, which breaks up the pacing and mood around all of this charmingly ethereal pop.”

“I purchased this LP, which was my first Bassey record, nearly ten years after it was released, and I became a fan instantly.” ,p> “Because of its colourful harmonic changes, Angel Eyes is a very popular jazz standard which has inspired many original interpretations, including Shirley's recording.”

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