Spend A Little Time With Her
From Daily Express, By Jeremy Novick
So let me get right to the point. You could tell this was a night of
distinction, a real grand splendour...Shirley Bassey sashayed down a staircase
- of course she came down a staircase -all glittering gown and outstretched
arms and synchronised swimmer smile. A serious drum roll and we're into
"Good times, bad times, I've seen them all, my dear. I'm still here". Out
go the arms triumphantly, the smile grows unfeasibly wide and she drinks
in the applause like a ravenous cat. A fan approaches the stage with a
present, a little red bag with a purple fluffy handle. Shirley and the
fan kiss (both cheeks) and she puts the bag on the piano. Out go the arms,
the smile grows wider and, sated, she drinks the applause. She's been on
stage maybe ten minutes and already it's fabulous. A silver glitter dress,
all plunging neckline and slit high up the side, impossibly white teeth,
perfect red lippy and a smooth, clear, skin. She looked fantastic, like
a Roxy Music album cover for grown-ups. There's nothing ironic (post or
otherwise), nothing modern (ditto) abut Shirley Bassey in concert. This
is pure, pure unadulterated, unabashed, unashamed entertainment. Big-lunged
and big-hearted, Bassey is her own fabulous creation, a plumed peacock
(peahen, darling!) showing out and showing off. Inviting us in to share
her lovely world, to delight - if only for a few minutes - in her own delight.
Of course it's kitsch and camp and all that but rarely have I seen an audience
laugh and smile so much. Rarely have I seen a performer outwardly enjoy
the event as much as Shirley.
During a wonderfully hammy Big Spender, just at the "So let me get right
to the point" bit, she yanked back and up (right up) the slit in her dress
and slapped her exposed bottom, skipped across the stage, creased up laughing
and did it again. At the end of Hey Jude, she grabbed a bunch of red carnations
and walked across the stage throwing them out to the adoring fans who by
now were crowded down the front - a moshpit at a Shirley gig - and by the
time she disappeared to change dresses for Goldfinger (gold glitter with
a slit now up the front) the piano was covered with gifts and bouquets.
Fabulous.