Customer Reviews

Finest Collection

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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This is a great value 2 cd set with 36 songs by the great Dame Shirley Bassey. For the price this collection is well packaged with a 10-page booklet with colour pics. (but all used in other cds and complete with the "usual" biography). The booklet also contains inaccurate detail. It states that the version of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" is the 1978 version when it is in fact the poor 1993 version from the Sings Andrew Lloyd Webber album. Alone Again (Naturally) is dated 1967 instead of 1976 and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face states 1982 instead of 1972. Small detail....but why can't they get it right...they are the professionals!! Overall this is a good collection for those who want more than a Greatest Hits cd. Shirley's versions of Killing Me Softly With His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Send In The Clowns, Anyone Who Had A Heart and Feelings are worth the price alone. This is a good collection covering the years 1959 to 1978 plus a few tracks from 1993 that are better skipped. If you are new to the Bassey sound this is a very good introduction.

For those who know Shirley Bassey only from "Goldfinger" & "Diamonds Are Forever", she can do so much more. This CD is a perfect example of her incredible versatility and performing excellence, to say nothing of just the sound of that voice. Depending on the song, she can sing sweetly and powerfully as she does on "Cry Me A River" (1959), or with gratitude and poignance on "Love Story" (1971), with the wisdom and acceptance of being foolishly human on "Send In the Clowns" (1975), with the joy and showmanship of a Judy Garland on "You Made Me Love You", with the 'Sassy Bassey'playfulness and power of "Macavity"(1993)from "CATS", and with the sublime longing and and heartache of "The Shadow of Your Smile" (1966).
This 2-CD set gives a wonderful overview of her career from the '50's thru the 90's....and yes, those magnificent Bond songs are included.

Hope

This two CD set entitled Finest Collection by Dame Shirley Bassey showcases her talents as an exceptionally gifted singer who can belt out a tune or coo those lyrics to perfection however she wants! Shirley's talent makes you listen when she sings--and you listen closely, too; she is all THAT good to hear. There's not a dud in the lot of song we get here, either. The quality of the sound on these two CDs is excellent and I really like that artwork, too.

The album starts with Shirley singing her heart out on "Fly Me To The Moon." Her voice is as clear as a bell; and her incredible sense of timing enhances this number even more. "Something" is a cover of this classic love song by the late George Harrison of Beatles fame; Shirley does great justice to this ballad--and how's about that brass? "I've Got You Under My Skin" makes good use of the strings as Shirley does this one up right; and listen for "Somewhere" from West Side Story. "Somewhere" shows that Shirley infuses her ballads with a so much genuine emotion; she wears her heart on her sleeve for this number. In addition, "Moon River" features Shirley belting this out as only the best of them ever could!

"Goldfinger" was a huge hit for Shirley. This tune from the James Bond movie of the same number still sounds great today; and Shirley delivers this faultlessly. Terrific! "Let There Be Love" has Shirley squarely front and center--right where she belongs! I love it. "For All We Know" is a charming cover of a song by Richard and Karen Carpenter; Shirley never lets go of a superfluous note and that's amazing. In addition, "Cry Me A River" again has Shirley belting this tune out like the fine chanteuse she still is; the horns sound great on "Cry My A River" but the music never steals the show from Shirley--they never drown her out and that's wonderful.

"Don't Cry For Me Argentina" comes, if I remember correctly, from the show called Evita; Shirley sings this with panache and I'm very impressed. "You Made Me Love You" is a number I associate with the immortal Judy Garland; I would like to think Judy would have loved this version! "As Time Goes By" is a huge highlight of this two CD set; and "Alone Again (Naturally)" has Shirley massaging the lyrics to this ballad with all her heart and soul. She pulls this off without a hitch and that's awesome.

"Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" gets a disco beat that makes it very strong; and "Tonight" is another terrific number from West Side Story. Shirley makes this shine brighter than silver and gold combined; and there's yet another gem in "The Shadow Of Your Smile." "The Shadow Of Your Smile" has Shirley infusing it with a great deal of passion. "What Now My Love" showcases Shirley's ability to make a classic love song sound better than ever before; and Shirley does an English language version of Edith Piaf's "No Regrets." "No Regrets" makes a fine ending for this two CD set.

Shirley Bassey delivers a great deal of POW on these two CDs; and they are definitely a "must-have" for Shirley Bassey fans. Truthfully, although I didn't mention every song on these two CDs, there's not a single letdown in the entire lot of songs. People who enjoy classic pop vocals will also enjoy this two CD set.

Wonderful collection of music from Shirley. Contains some songs I've never heard before from her which intrigued me to buy this CD. I certainly was not disappointed! Definitely for the Bassey collector.

I bought this CD for my father as Fathers Day gift. He LOVED it and played the CD as soon as I gave it too him. Thank you for making the hero in my life so happy! Her CD's are not easy too find where I live.

So glad I purchased this one! Shows all of Bassey's talents, way beyond her oft-remembered Bond numbers. For such a little gal, her voice packs a wallop. Only sorry that "The Greatest Love" was not in this collection.

Even if you're not yet a fan of Shirley Bassey, you will be after listening to this collection. She has a voice to die for!! These songs are all classics. I love to sing along and pretend like I have a great voice too.

Excellent CD. Great compilation of songs and true Shirley Bassey. A must for all her fans - the pleasure is truly priceless.

If you like the loud, but sensual voice.. she will be the one!
I just love it.