Customer Reviews

The Remix Album... Diamonds Are Forever

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

 

 

At first glance one would associate remix and Shirey Bassey with the hypertension of the clubfloor. Both lend a certain drama to one another and therefore seem fitting. With the exception of the last track ("If You Go Away") nothing here gets the club diva treatment. And Thank You to the remixers, since that would have been a waste of the warmth and depth of Shirley Bassey's emotive voice. If you're familiar with the music of Fatboy Slim and The Chemical Brothers you'll feel right at home here, exactly as these songs do in their very respectful Big Beat reinterpretations (all the best and most important elements of each song are retained and enhanced). I must say that as far as remix albums are concerned, this one is an example of how a reconstruction of a song can add lustre to an original track rather than technological tarnish. All ten tracks included here sound as if the song had hand-picked its remix as nothing here sounds garish or out of context. The effects used in "Never Never Never" and "Big Spender", for example, enhance the former's atmosphere and the ladder's plucky attitude. The same is true for every track here, including the lone club mix, which adds an icey quality to the sadness of the lyric. Another issue that is addressed with great satisfaction on this release is the timing of each track. Nothing here is an awkwardly truncated version that would have been better represented in a complete form, nor is anything too lengthy while a remixer admires his own ability to maneuver studio gimmeckry. So yes, I do recommend this album. New fans will be refreshed with quality work informing quality original material, while faithfuls will be delighted by the new moods and playfullness of classic Shirley Bassey. Or vice versa.

When I first saw this CD, I thought:
"No way is this gonna work!"

How wrong I was!! :)

This album has to be heard to be believed. The various remixers
have worked wonders with the originals and have really funked up
the tunes for a "modern" audience without in any way ruining
them. I'm amazed at how good they are, having heard many
similar attempts at remixing classic songs, this stands head
and shoulders above the rest.
My favourite track on the album is "Big Spender (Wild Oscar
Mix)" - which has a fantastic Prodigy/"Firestarter"-style beat
and features some mad Fat-Boy-Slim/"Rockafeller Skank" effects!
I think it would have made a brilliant single.

Mantronik's "Diamonds Are Forever" is also nuts(!), but it
still works! I like that track a lot, too.
The same goes for DJ Spinna's "Spinning Wheel"...

The Propellerheads' remix of "Goldfinger" is also great.

Kenny Dope's remix of "Light My Fire" is very chillable...

"If You Go Away" is the only "techno" track on the album.
It's a bit of a downer but in a good way(!). Very trancey and
atmospheric.

All of the tracks are great, to be honest.

Forget what any purists might say about it, this album is
awesome and a great tribute to Shirley. I'm sure Ms. Bassey
would be proud... :)

One more thing: This version of the album has a far better
cover than the US version (in my opinion). The US version
doesn't have Shirley on the cover(?!?!)...

I have eagerly been anticipating this CD ever since I first read about it. For the most part, it's quite wonderful. I should not be surpised at how fresh and vibrant Ms. Bassey's voice sounds, even through all the overdubbed and sampled backing. The reworkings of "Where do I Begin?", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Easy Thing to Do", "Never, Never, Never", "Big Spender" & "If You Go Away" are simply wonderful. The only ones that are a slight let-down are both remixes of "Light My Fire", while "Goldfinger" borders on, but stays just shy of being too over the top. I wish that "No Regrets" and "I Who Have Nothing" would have been included instead of these two versions of "Light My Fire." Either way, it's a must for the Bassey fan and the chic as well.

Well,if Tom Jones can climb to nr.1 on british top-charts,why not Dame Shirley Bassey?This woman posses a charisma and force-of-nature voice,so this experiment with re-mixing her cult-songs is actually brilliant idea.I am really happy that this CD came out while she is still alive and well,so she can enjoy popularity and new succes - althought I am not sure what does she really thinks about this new versions of her classic songs:)) Naturally,first thing that came to my mind is:there HAS to be second part,beacuse this is such a good CD! I love "Spinning Wheel","Goldfinger" and "Light My Fire"..really great songs and a faboulous voice!At the end of the listening,still,I wanted to hear originals again.(By the way,I wonder why is this CD listed under "History Repeating" name,when CD has a title "Remix album...Diamonds are forever"?)

This must have been a Propellerheads-inspired venture after their huge club hit with Dame Shirley (Goldfinger) Bassey a year ago, "History Repeating." What a great idea to have some of the top mixers (hey why wasn't Mixmaster Mike of the "Beastie Boys" given a shot here) update a few of Ms. Bassey's classic tunes. The album is nothing short of phenomenal. There is hardly a weak song in this Millenium collection.

"Diamonds are Forever," "Never, Never, Never," "Goldfinger," and "Where Do I Begin," are all covered here.

By the time the album ends you'll be demanding more. A sequel is surely in the works here.

I have eagerly been anticipating this CD ever since I firstread about it. For the most part, it's quite wonderful. I should notbe surpised at how fresh and vibrant Ms. Bassey's voice sounds, eventhrough all the overdubbed and sampled backing. The reworkings of"Where do I Begin?", "Diamonds Are Forever","Easy Thing to Do", "Never, Never, Never","Big Spender" & "If You Go Away" are simplywonderful. The only ones that are a slight let-down are both remixesof "Light My Fire", while "Goldfinger" borders on,but stays just shy of being too over the top. I wish that "NoRegrets" and "I Who Have Nothing" would have beenincluded instead of these two versions of "Light My Fire."Either way, it's a must for the Bassey fan and the chic as well.

The irony here is that a 40 year old song that is still interesting enough to warrant a remix, probably shouldn't be touched by human hands. This is especially true when there is no possible way you can improve upon the recordings of The Great Bassey. But given the overwhelming odds against it; this is a pretty good CD.

The Best: "Where Do I Begin" remixed by awayTEAM starts off with a cool trip-hop beat under Bassey's melancholy vocal that kicks into a swinging chorus. "Goldfinger", remixed by the Propellerheads, starts off funky and unassuming with just guitar, piano and a little scratching and then -- POW! -- the blast of strings and brass that opens the song, the new instrumentation is layered over the top of the original recording and is surprisingly successful. "Easy Thing To Do" a little known early 70's album track remixed by Nightmares On Wax, puts a languid hip-hop beat under the original vocal, the result is stunningly soulful. DJ Spinna goes all inter-galactic on "Spinning Wheel"; a very imaginative mix that adds percussion, electronic blips, a little scratching -- and sleigh bells -- even so it doesn't stray too far from the spirit of the original, which is a very good thing.

The only disappointing track is Kenny Dope's "Light My Fire". This is one of my favorite Bassey tracks and Kenny Dope is one-half of my most favorite production/remixing team (Masters At Work) in the whole wide world. I was expecting real fireworks, but this mix sounds almost identical to the original, albeit with louder percussion. Overall, it is a very solid project, taking into consideration that it's impossible to improve on perfection

Shirley Bassey's glorious voice is brought into the 21st century in grand style. The remixes are such that the vocals sound as if they were recorded yesterday. Perhaps the death of Dusty Springfield inspired the public to rediscover Dame Shirley Bassey's phenomenal pipes. Whatever the reason, each track is gorgeous, deep, soulful, and funky. There HAS to a 2nd volume of remixes!

She has the ability to lead any music, be it classical,pop,whatever,but it has to be admitted that she was born to sing with an orchestra the bigger the better.