CD2:
Note by Roman
This Collection is mixed together from the two live concerts in England on July 19th 1997 in Castle Howard and on July 26th 1997 at Althorp Park. Shirley Bassey celebrated her 60th birthday with a series concerts, of which this CD draws from the two open-air concerts. It does not contain all the songs Shirley sang at these concerts, for example "I Only Have Eyes For You" is missing on the recording. Most songs of this recording had already been released one year before on The Birthday Concert.
A re-release of "The Diamond Collection" has been released in 2000 with a new packaging under the title "Classics" (Artful CD33, 6 84340 00008 3).
Note from the CD booklet:
On record and in performance alike, Shirley Bassey's uncompromising
vocal style - always straight from the heart
and straight from the hip - continues to break through the age barrier,
to reach an even broader audience.
This live recording is a celebration of Shirley Bassey's enchanted career, from the earliest days of singing in working men's clubs to worldwide fame at the highest level.
The pictures in this booklet and the songs featured on this unique album provide a momento of Shirley Bassey's glittering career and shed light on those exceptional qualities that have made her art truly timeless.
CD #1
1. S' Wonderful
2. Goldfinger
Thank you, thank you, and a very, very good evening to you all.
Welcome and what a wonderful, wonderful evening it turned out to be.
I mean not a cloud in the sky ...
Thank you very much, thank you. I'm still celebrating, yes ...
Oh yes, till the end of the year, you know I want...
So if you've got any champagne left? You know where to send it.
No, I was ..., I was praying, when I arrived last night on the bus,
you know I ...
I did, I did, I came by bus, I did. I mean I'm not gonna let my Bus Pass go
to waste. (Pensioners (woman from 60 years) can get a Bus Pass for driving bus cheapened.)
So, I mean I spent all last night ... I didn't sleep ... worrying about the act,
worrying about the other things, please God: let it be a wonderful,
wonderful evening, and, and it is.
So we're all going to have fun right, OK? Nice ... great
Thank you.
This next song is from, not my last album, but the album before: "Shirley
Bassey Sings The Movies", this is ...
You like that one, did you? This is from the film "The Coalminers Daughter",
the country and western song "Crazy".
5. Crazy
Thank you, thank you, OK.
Here's that song, that I found, when I was married to the italian.
Oh, that's ..., that's his name, that's correct. I did forget for a while.
Thanks for reminding me.
"Grande, Grande, Grande", which became "Never, Never, Never".
7. Kiss Me, Honey, Honey, Kiss Me
You beat me through, I like that.
8. Bye Bye Blackbird
OK, you big spenders, are you ready? Here I come.
11. Big Spender
Gosh, I'm attracting them very young, a five year old boy here. He has got a
bussy, there ...
Thank you sweetheart. Oh, it's pop. I love it, I love it. No, it's really champagne.
I didn't touch a drop. I swear to God.
There's a bump in the stage, I swear.
13. New York Medley
CD #2
Flower shops open.
Yes, yes. How do I stay so slim? You don't want to know. It's very hard
work. It's diet and exercises. It's simple. Occasionally, I eat chocolate.
This is the story of my life, going ... No, I do, I do, I do, I do ahhmm,
you know. I do, I do, I do. What do I do? I pick out, yeah. I do. I believe
in that. No, I don't believe in strict diets, no. I work out every day.
I worked out today, actually. You should have seen me go. Oh, I don't know where I
went, but I went. I went somewhere, and ...
(someone asks if sex keeps her slim)
I wouldn't know. I'm a virgin, and I brought up all my children
to be the same.
Does sex keep you slim?
Oh, is that a full moon? It is. I usually go mad on a full moon. So
look out. Hello moon! I wish I had a moon song. OK, we don't have a moon
song, but we do have a medley of Beatles songs. Is that OK? I knew you'd
say that, OK, there we go
2. Something
4. Hey Jude
I would like to share all that wonderful applause, with the ladies and
gentleman of this terrific orchestra. Thank you.
And two men, that travel all over the world with me. Don't be jealous
now fellows. On drums Mr. Mike Smith.
And my musical director and arranger Mr. Collin Green.
8. Yesterday, When I Was Young
OK, you're not going home obviously.
I can see quite a few Welsh flags here tonight. ??The ochen val(...?)
(she says something in Welsh)
Oh, thank you for that happy birthday song, thank you.
10. I Wish You Love
I love you. Until the next time. I wish you love.
I love you, too. And don't call me Shirl!
I know who started that, that Des O'Connor. (Des O'Connor had a music and chat show on
ITV in Britain where Shirley has been guest sometimes and they even went out on a
date together one time. Shirley once said that he's the only one who may call her "Shirl".
"Jane" sent me another idea what this could mean. She is convinced that Shirley Bassey says: "And don't call me Shirley." She explained me that in the 1980 film "Airplane" someone says to Leslie Nielsen: "Surely you can't be serious." He replies: "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." It's been an oft-quoted remark ever since.)
11. I Am What I Am
Thank you so much. That, that was a first for me. To have everybody sing
Happy Birthday.
Thank you. Good night. Until the next time. Good night.