Bassey at her very best!
cduk2001 | London England | 01/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This excellent 2CD release from BGO features two Shirley Bassey albums originally released in 1974 and 1976. Both released for the first time on CD!. The first "Nobody Does It Like Me" was recorded in the USA following the popularity of Shirley's previous album and single "Never Never Never". This album was designed to place Shirley in the lucrative US adult contemporary market and results in a different sound to her UK recordings around the same period. Shirley'e voice is at its very best, and the overall production is pulled back somewhat compared with her previous UA albums. Now 30 years later, this album sounds better than ever, and listeners can't help but wonder why it wasn't a bigger success. Standout tracks include "Davy" a duet with the songs composer; Bernard Ighner and Paul Anka's "I'm Not Anyone". The album closes with Shirley's beautiful version of Stevie Wonder's "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life". Next is the album "Love, Life and Feelings" from 1976 which placed Shirley firmly back in the UK charts. This album peaked at number 13 and enjoyed a 5 week run in the charts. There is not a single track on this album that does not deserve 5 stars, but for the record you will find many songs associated with Dame Shirley that (strangely) don't appear on many compilations including, "What I Did For Love", "Born To Lose", "Natali" and "If I Never Sing Another Song". Both albums have been expertly re-mastered by the experts at BGO and have never sounded better!
"
Review-Nobody Does It Like Me/Love, Life and Feelings
Carol L. Motzkus | 01/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Excellent album. Contains most ballads and has everything on it that I was looking for."
GORGEOUS & MAGICAL~BRAVO SHIRLEY!!!
Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 07/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shirley Bassey reached the peak of her vocal brilliance by the mid-seventies when these two great vocal masterpieces were released already being an International Superstar with sold-out venues around the world giving performances filled with wild standing ovations...Legendary Diva still possesses that stunning voice and performing presence that is unmatched in the world of entertainment today being back on top of the charts in Europe & hopefully tired America radio will rise to the occasion but we won't hold our breath...
"Nobody Does It Like Me" is classic Bassey in an electic mix of great songs & unique orchestrations filled with stand-out performances such as the deeply emotional and riveting "I'm Not Anyone" composed by Paul Anka and Bassey wrings every ounce of passion out of this great song with vocal brilliance that is memorable..."Davy" is a haunting duet with composer Benard Igher while two motion picture theme songs, "The Trouble With Hello Is Goodbye" and "All That Love Went To Waste" should have had radio exposure as they are magnificent performances that would have been huge chart hits. Another hit possibility would have been the definitive version of Stevie Wonder's "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"...every song in "Nobody Does It Better" makes one a believer that the title is an accurate description of this great singer!
"Love, Life And Feelings" is a true Shirley Bassey Masterpiece and the world tour for its release is a truly extraordinary and magical memory for us lucky ones who experienced this timeless legend in concert during this amazing time as each song is a complete experience like a play with a beginning, middle & great ending with every song a standout! Never before has Neil Sedaka's "The Hungry Years" been such a riveting listening experience and "Born To Lose" is enthralling & riveting. By the time one gets into the since of grief experienced in "Alone Again (Naturally)" or the pathos that fill "Feelings", it is clear this is an original classic singer who brings it all to the listener. Like any great artist, Shirley Bassey saves the best for last and "If I Never Sing Another Song" is a haunting and stunning finale that always brings the entire audience out of their seats screaming for MORE!!!!! Don't miss this tremendous collection as these two lp's are two of the greatest vocal masterworks ever...Bravo Shirley!!!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1