According to a recent, excellent, BBC drama about her early career, she was very nearly cast as Nancy in the film, Oliver! At the time, she had released the song As Long As He Needs Me and it was a major hit in the UK. Shirley's manager was in talks with the film studio, who were seriously considering her for the part. Unfortunately for Shirley, the studio deliberated over casting her and eventually backed away as they thought the public would not accept a 'black' Nancy. Once they made their decision they immediately cast Sharni Wallis and announced this in the papers - which is how Miss Bassey discovered she had lost out. She was not happy!
Yes Wildcat, I think that's true. There were a couple of press reports near the end of Chita Rivera's run in the London KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN that Bassey would be taking over, but it ended up being Bebe Neuwirth. Not sure what happened.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
It takes a special artist to own up to their limitations, even more reach a place within that makes peace with those limitations enough to state it as a simple matter of fact. Most would be inclined to state otherwise and spend entire careers proving they aren't capable, despite their ambition.
About that "As If We Never Said Goodbye" performance: that last note made me laugh but not in a bad way, but because it was totally unexpected, and had her distinct colors shamelessly smudged all over it. You go Dame Shirley!
Just saw the "With One Look" vid above and I'm digging her tiny but effective lyric change from "when I speak, it's with my soul" to "when I speak, it's with soul." =)
The alternate orchestration she uses on her renditions are almost always well done. Anyone knows who does them?
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.
I remember a LP from teh 1960's called BASSEY BELTS THE BEST.
I just looked the album up on Castalbums,org and figured out what happened.
EMI in the U.K put out an LP SHIRLEY STOPS THE SHOW with these songs:
Side A 01. Everything's Coming Up Roses 02. The Sweetest Sounds 03. He Loves Me 04. I Believe In You 05. People 06. The Lady Is A Tramp Side B 01. Once In A Lifetime 02. Something Wonderful 03. A Lot Of Livin' To Do 04. If Ever I Would Leave You 05. Somewhere 06. I Could Have Danced All Night
When U.A. issued the album in the U.S. & Canada wit was retitled BASSEY BELTS THE BEST, added the single of Goldfinger as the lead track on Side A (making it necessary to drop The Lady is a Tramp as the final track on Side A.)
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks." Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com