Shirley Sets Gold Standard
From Bournemouth Daily Echo, By Hilary Porter, May 5 2000
Imagine a grandmother of 63 and Shirley Bassey is not the image which
comes to mind.
The moment she stepped on stage last night at the BIC, flashing a finely-toned
thigh through a split semi-transparent gold gown, the audience leapt to
their feet.
The excitement and the magic was
tangible - the diva, the voice, the
dame. We were in the presence of a living legend.
And it seemed highly appropriate that this 24-carat gold star was wrapped
in shimmering gold fabric through each sensational costume change.
Bournemouth had been chosen for the first two nights of Bassey's UK
Millennium tour and she was in high spirits.
Her voice is surely the most instantly recognisable on the planet and
her passionate delivery of every line which passes her lips, and each nuance
of phrasing, makes her performance electrifying.
But what bowls you over seeing Bassey live is her sheer magnetism. She
is passionate, emotional and dramatic but also tremendous fun.
As flirtatious as a 16-year-old she sang Kiss Me, Honey, Honey, Kiss
Me, dancing provocatively towards various delighted men on the front row,
who she kissed in turn.
Her "cheek" continued as she launched into Big Spender, flashing more
than a "thigh full" and proving she has the wit and wisdom to know how
to flaunt her astonishingly youthful charms.
Light-hearted elements of the show contrasted sharply with her delivery
of epics such as I (Who Have Nothing), and those wonderful Italian ballads
for which Norman Newell wrote English lyrics - This Is My Life and Never,
Never, Never.
The Bond theme Diamonds are Forever earned a standing ovation and her
interpretation of The Beatles' Hey Jude transformed a relatively simple
tune into something breath-taking.
A steady stream of well-dressed gentlemen presented her with lavish
bouquets and gifts which piled up so high on the piano she was unable to
see the musical director and missed her cue as she tried to bring the night
to a close with The Party's Over. She then forgot her words, but made light
of it.
This little chink of imperfection - a perfection finely-tuned over 40
years in the business, only embellished this unforgettable evening more.
Imagine a grandmother of 63 and Shirley Bassey is not the image which
comes to mind.