Customer Reviews

Live at Carnegie Hall

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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

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.

Those who know me know that I worship at the Shrine of Bassey. Those who wonder why need to listen, even once, even briefly, to this 1973 sold-out celebration. Here is the bombastic belter at her best: cooing and wooing and working the crowd into a frenzy not seen since Judy worked the hall a decade earlier. Choosing a highlight is (almost) impossible --- "Day By Day" and "Big Spender" have to be cited, but the takes on "Never, Never, Never," "You and I" and "This is My Life" are Bassey at her most brilliant. I am not the only one who understands the power of love: In 1999, the Queen of England choose Shirley to receive her highest honor, proving that, indeed, there's nothing like this Dame.

Wow! This one was well worth waiting for. Shirley is sensational. Each song is given the grand Bassey treatment which makes them uniquely hers, her dyanmics and sense of vocal articulation are impecable. Her voice is rich, the lyrics are clear from start to finish. Its more than that,however, its her gusto, her enthusiasm, is pure entartainment at its best. She playes the songs in a carefully arranged order (the lighter numbers, the naughty number and the passion pourers) and charms the audience with the occasional remakrs and her introduction of the orchestra is great. She is at her best in "I Who have Nothing"," I Capricorn," And I Love You So" Big Spender" and "I'd like to hate myself in the Morning" Undoubtably a red letter evening for all in attendance. This CD will put you right in the front row.........what an experience!!!!.

Ms. Bassey is at her best in the live CD. A voice that cannot be matched! Perfect array of ballads and old favorites. Strongly recommeneded!

Those who know me know that I worship at the Shrine of Bassey. Those who wonder why need to listen, even once, even briefly, to this 1973 sold-out celebration. Here is the bombastic belter at her best: cooing and wooing and working the crowd into a frenzy not seen since Judy worked the hall a decade earlier. Choosing a highlight is (almost) impossible --- "Day By Day" and "Big Spender" have to be cited, but the takes on "Never, Never, Never," "You and I" and "This is My Life" are Bassey at her most brilliant. I am not the only one who understands the power of love: In 1999, the Queen of England choose Shirley to receive her highest honor, proving that, indeed, there's nothing like this Dame.

Back in 1973, I attended this Bassey concert at Carnegie Hall. This CD faithfully captures the excitement of that evening, even though it is edited. The concert included a 9 song overture and the song Without You, that was cut from the recording. This particular re release of the DRG set is misleading because it shows an entirely different cover photo. As a collector who wants everything, I bought this set thinking it had some new wonderful graphics. But it didn't. So, keep that in mind! I am also not a fan or remixed live albums. Audience applause and cheers are pushed back so far, you wonder why there is no loud response to Shirleys amazing vocals. Personal favorites are For All We Know and This Is My Life.

This dame is such a magnificent performer and many would agree and i dare those who don't.I grow up listening to my fathers record and i can almost imagine now my father saying what a voice!she talks and sings the same timber,truly a natural gifted singer so even at her age70!!!!she can still belt and hold the bar.I'm speechless and have no more word to describe her .My only wish is Oprah should be aware of this singer and have her come to her show and prove to those American Idols and learned from her staying power cuz she really gives everything for her fans and that is her life.I could go on and on........Oh by the way is there a 6 star for rating?

I was at this concert at Carnegie Hall. Shirley not only sings buts emotes on stage that is mesmerizing.
I found myself pressing my feet into the floor unconsciously during "I (Who Have Nothing)". She had
that effect on you. With Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd this truly was one of the greatest
concerts to attend. Luckily, I lived in the Big Apple and had the opportunity to see Shirley at the peak
of her career. This recording is exactly what I heard along with all the well deserved BRAVOS without any omissions. How good it is to hear Shirley perform again on this unforgettable May night from 1973.
Shirley, I want to thank you personally for letting me have a most enjoyable night. At another Carnegie Hall
concert you let my infant daughter give you an onstage kiss on the cheek. I could read your lips "Oh, how
beautiful" when I raised her up to you. I will be a fan of yours forever because you make this so easy.

Aloha Nui,

Roy Szanik