Get The Party Started

by

Shirley Bassey

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Welsh/Nigerian songstress, Dame Shirley Bassey, returns with an album of classics with a contemporary twist. Produced by a slew of cutting edge producers and remixers like Bugz in the attic, and North by northwest, the project was driven by the Dame herself.

Best known by some for the Bond theme songs she sang; "Diamonds are forever", "Goldfinger". And "Moonraker", the 13 songs on this collection are heavily influenced by that. The album has already given Dame Shirley Bassey her first UK top 10 album in some decades and deservedly so.

"The living tree" is arguably the best Bond record that never was, with it's Trip Hop feel; a brooding sound, sweeping dramatic strings and explosive vocal delivery (her voice is as booming as ever - she doesn't do things by halves) from the seventy year old Dame. Similar is the self assertive "This is my life".

Lionel Richie's "Hello" is given a haunting, atmospheric treatment. Nicole's dad would be proud of the result. The lightly horn sprinkled "Can I touch you there" (the Michael Bolton song) is similarly transformed (lovely percussion and nice male harmonies).

"I who have nothing" is given a slight dub feel, while "I will survive" is transformed by epic sounding strings and skittery percussion. "What now my love" has a slight salsa feel. "You only live twice" (originally done by Nancy Sinatra) is covered superbly here, downplaying the Bond feel, and giving it a light Cuban feel.

"Where is the love" is given the disco treatment (superb sax outro, by the way), similar to her "Moonraker" hit, and her old hit "Big spender" starts off startingly like Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" in its new incarnation.

The title track is a rousing reworking of Pink's "Get the party started" with dramatic strings, and crisp enunciation from the Dame.

It is amazing to see a veteran like Dame Shirley Bassey still sounding cutting edge and not resting on her laurels. If you like your music bland and safe, this might not be for you.

Her other album of remixes, "Diamonds are forever: the remix album" is also worth checking out. "Get the party started" is a wonderful aural experience!!