Was Shirley Bassey ever in a musical?
#2
Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:36am
Because she hasn't got the range.
#3
Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:41am
I think Dame Shirley could've been an interesting Solange in Follies.
#4
Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:44am
#5
Posted: 11/17/12 at 7:08am
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!
#6
Posted: 11/17/12 at 9:42am
I believe she was offered KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN at some point.
#7
Posted: 11/17/12 at 9:51am
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.
#8
Posted: 11/17/12 at 10:46am
At least Shirley was on Broadway twice in concert.
#9
Posted: 11/17/12 at 11:13am
That performance of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" is brilliant. Thanks for sharing that link.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#10
Posted: 11/17/12 at 12:50pm
I'm fairly certain she did Showboat in London.
#12
Posted: 11/17/12 at 3:38pm
She is quite the Diva. She insists on being called "Dame Shirley" (much like another Diva who insists on being called "Miss Ross").
#13
Posted: 11/17/12 at 3:46pm
she wasn't an actress and never could be
All problems are man made and so, can be man solved.
#14
Posted: 11/17/12 at 4:47pm
goldenboy, she did a studio cast album of SHOWBOAT
#15
Posted: 11/17/12 at 6:06pm
"she wasn't an actress and never could be."
You know, I wish there were certain film actors and actresses who had such insight and understanding about their singing.
You know, I wish there were certain film actors and actresses who had such insight and understanding about their singing.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#16
Posted: 11/18/12 at 6:00pm
ah I remember that studio cast recording of showboat. didn't realize it wasn't a production.
#17
With One Look
Posted: 11/18/12 at 7:52pm
With One Look
"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
#18
Posted: 11/18/12 at 8:42pm
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?
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.
Updated On: 11/18/12 at 08:42 PM
#19
Posted: 11/19/12 at 1:16pm
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.)
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
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