Main Index > Songs By Date > 1959 > The Bewitching Miss Bassey
 

The Bewitching Miss Bassey Album 1959: Philips B 10743 L, BBL.7325

 

Cover Image

 

Track Listing

Side A
01. Burn My Candle (At Both Ends)
02. Night And Day
03. Crazy Rhythm
04. The Wall
05. The Banana Boat Song
06. The Gypsy In My Soul
07. Love For Sale

Side B
01. From This Moment On
02. Kiss Me, Honey, Honey, Kiss Me
03. You, You Romeo
04. My Funny Valentine
05. How About You?
06. Fire Down Below
07. As I Love You
 

Sleeve Note By John Franz

We just couldn't resist entitling this album "The Bewitching Miss Bassey", as for all her countless fans throughout the world know, she is indeed bewitching not only on discs but also in the personal appearances in theatres and cabarets which invariably break house records wherever she appears.

It was only 4 years ago that this talented artist made her television début, and although that time it was possible to detect traces of inexperience (as is always the case with a newcomer), there was no denying that this girl displayed a tremendous spark which gave promise not only of success in England but also international stardom. This early promise has certainly been fulfilled, for since then she has captivated audiences in New York, Las Vegas, Hollywood, Sydney, Melbourne, Stockholm, Paris, Monte Carlo, etc., and of course in practically every major venue of entertainment in England. The morning after her television début Philips were fast to sign her to a contract and within the next few weeks she entered a recording studio for the first time in her life to record a song that has been associated with her ever since, namely "Burn My Candle." Although this record never actually entered the Hit Parade it has over a period of time been a very big seller indeed. This was followed by "The Wayward Wind" which also helped her to gain more fans; and then came her first really big hit the famous "Banana Boat Song". This soared to high places in the Hit Parade and really put Shirley on the map record wise. Various other records followed, such as "You, You Romeo", Fire Down Below" and the very successful EP recording of her act taken during an actual performance at the Café de Paris (BBE 12113).

During one of her visits to America Shirley recorded in New York under the direction of Mitch Miller, and it is from that session that the song "The Wall" is taken. 1958, however, was destined to be Shirley's biggest year on records for it was during June of that year that she recorded her fabulous version of "As I Love You" which, after a slow start, became No. 1 on the Hit Parade, retaining that position for several weeks. In October of 1958 she also recorded the great novelty song "Kiss Me, Honey Honey, Kiss Me" which proved to be another enormous hit and reached the No. 2 spot. These two records were for some time running neck and neck in popularity and she became the first girl singer since 1954 to have two records in the first five of the Hit Parade.

All of these songs (with the exception of "The Wayward Wind") are contained in this album, together with many other great Bassey performances which display the enormous versatility of this truly international star.
 

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