Search - Shirley Bassey :: Live at Carnegie Hall

THE BEST SHIRLEY ALBUM--EVER!

NYC Music Lover | New York, NY United States | 07/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hold on to your hats, folks, Shirley B is at Carnegie Hall and

the walls shake! This was the first Bassey album I ever bought

(back then it was a 2-lp set with a different cover, at least

in the USA) and it is still my favorite. So entertaining, so

much fun, such a great selection of material, such wonderful

singing! This is one of the best live albums I own, by anyone

in any music genre. You truly feel the excitement. This was

recorded in 1973 when Shirley was at her absolute peak (not that

she isn't still fabulous) and sums up her career nicely. All

the high points are here--"Goldfinger", "Diamonds Are Forever",

"This Is My Life", "Big Spender", "I Who Have Nothing", etc. The

most touching and beautiful version of "And I Love You So" EVER,

better than her studio recording, in my opinion. A driving,

relentless "Johnny One Note"; a beautiful and sensuous "I

Capricorn" (one of her most overlooked classics), and many

many more. The improvement in sound over the LP is staggering,

and makes the original sound almost like a bootleg. There is

now an immediacy and intimacy to the vocals that was missing

from the original release. All the nuances of Shirley as well

as the musicians can now be enjoyed like never before. I have

two minor gripes that fans of the original will notice--first off, the CD fades up into the intro to "Goldfinger" instead of

the BOM-BOMMM notes opening the show. Why they did this is

beyond me. Secondly, the tape fades out signaling the end

of the original "LP sides". Why didn't they edit this for

the CD? But these are small quibbles when put against the

fact that we finally have this classic of vocal artistry

sounding like it should sound for the digital age. Cheers,

Shirley! Well done!"

Amazing voice, amazing album, amazing CD!

Ed | Manchester, UK | 04/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shirley Bassey's 1973 Live At Carnegie Hall album has finally been re-issued by Beat Goes On Records! This amazing package is sure to be this year's must have CD for all Bassey fans.



The album was recorded over two nights at New York's Carnegie Hall and unlike the now hard-to-find earlier CD issues, this one hasn't fallen victim to merciless editing. BGO have beautifully reproduced the lavish package from the original British album. It is housed in an attractive slip case and features a 20 page illustrated booklet.



As the new sleeve notes by BBC radio presenter Spencer Leigh explain, "Live At Carnegie Hall represents Shirley Bassey at the height of her powers. She was 36 years old, her voice was strong and powerful, she knew how to handle an audience and she had built up a repertoire of show-stopping songs."



The sound quality of this release does not disappoint. It is digitally remastered with such a rich and clear sound that when listening to the previous CD issue it now sounds like a very poor bootleg.



It represents pure listening pleasure!



http://www.songsofshirleybassey.co.uk"

Better remastering job on this UK Version than on the DRG Am

PatrickO | New York, NY United States | 03/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of those Desert Island Discs people always talk about. Most people know Shirley Bassey for her great James Bond themes. But this recording done over two days in May way back in 1973 demonstrates the incredible talent, humor and versatility of this Welsh superstar who was never quite as popular in the U.S. as in Europe.



I had the double United Artists album of this concert as a kid. I hadn't heard it in some years until the recent releases done with this UK version from BGO Beat Goes On and the different American remastering by DRG Records. The edge goes to this recording. Somehow the songs, the musicians and even crowd noise is clearer and sharper on this release. The DRG version disappointed me a little as there is a slight flatness to it that I did not remember from the old vinyl version. So, I'd recommend shelling out a few dollars more and going with this one. It also comes with a multi-page booklet with interesting liner notes and a host of pictures of Dame Shirley taken throughout her career.



If you are not a fan you will be after listening to this explosion of talent."