Two early 70s albums from Shirley Bassey – back to back in a single set! Never Never Never is a warmly-crafted 70s album from the great Shirley Bassey – a set that continues that great move she was making at the end of the 60s – shaking off some of the bolder, brassier styles that famously got her going at the start, but which were maybe sounding a bit dated after the James Bond soundtracks got too much play! Instead, Bassey's opening up in a nicely mature mode – maybe making the same sort of shift between soul and adult modes that Johnny Mathis was hitting during the same period – and working with great UK maestros Johnny Harris and Arthur Greenslade, both able to balance strings and soul on titles that include "Never Never Never", "Make The World A Little Younger", "No Regrets", "Going Going Gone", "Somehow", "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "The Old Fashioned Way", and "Someone Who Cares". On Good Bad But Beautiful, Shirley Bassey is at her mellow best – sounding very different than the brassy vocalist who first rose to international fame with "Goldfinger" – yet still able to work through all the rich aspects of her great vocal range! Arthur Greenslade handles the backings, and the style is mature, and updated in maybe the way that Frank Sinatra was hitting at the time – both in the choice of songs, and in the way that Greenslade sets Shirley up for the best reading of the lyric. Titles include "I'll Be Your Audience", "Emotion", "Good Bad But Beautiful", "Jesse", "Run On & On & On", "Feel Like Makin Love", and "I'll Be Your Audience". CD

... CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

A rare Japanese-only set from Shirley Bassey – a 2LP set that features some great jazzy backing from the group of Nobuo Hara and His Sharps & Flats! The sound is bold and brassy – just right for Shirley's voice – and given the live, acoustic setting of the record, the album's almost got more of a 60s feel than a 70s one – especially on the tracks that have Shirley reprising older hits. The recording leaves plenty of space for enthusiastic audience response, and also features a bit of interplay with the crowd as well – plus a set list of titles that includes "Going Going Gone", "Diamonds Are Forever", "Without You", "Goldfinger", "Sing", "Yesterday When I Was Young", "Never Never Never", "Something", and "All That Love Went To Waste". LP, Vinyl record album

A fantastic record from singer Salena Jones – recorded in the UK with backings by Brit Easy maestro Johnny Cameron, and a sweet electric groove that really makes the album sparkle! The record's similar to some of Shirley Bassey's work with Johnny Harris – in that it features familiar tunes made slightly funky, grooving with a nice mix of electric and acoustic instrumentation, taking the singer to new territory without sounding hokey at all. Includes a nice breakbeat version of "I Love You", plus surprisingly great takes on "Summertime", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "You Forgot To Remember", and "All The Things You Are". LP, Vinyl record album

A hip collection of tracks from Peggy Lee – featuring tunes recorded for Capitol during the late 60s and early 70s, put together as a special package for Placidyl sleeping pills! The album's hardly sleepy, though – and the standout cut is Peggy's awesome version of "Spinning Wheel" – a monster groover that puts her in the company of Doris or Shirley Bassey, as the cut's got a fantastic break and a great groove throughout! We totally dig the other stuff, too – and titles include "Pieces Of Dreams", "Let's Get Lost In Now", "Two For The Road", "Watch What Happens", and "You'll Remember Me". LP, Vinyl record album

A great mix of jangle pop and female vocal numbers from 60s England – the 4th in RPM's great series of Dream Babes, and one of the best yet! The groove here runs along the lines of work by some of the more famous British singers of the era – Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Sandi Shaw, and others – but often has some nice left-field touches that make the tunes a bit more exciting and less familiar, thanks to some especially great production. Titles include "Gonna Give Him Some Love" and "I Want That Boy" by The Chantelles, "Gonna Make Him Mine" and "Love Hit Me" by The Orchids, "Love Is Wonderful" by Paula Parfitt, "Here I Am" by Linda Thorson, "When I Think Of You" by Twiggy, "That Lonely Feeling" by The McKinleys, "Reviewing The Situation" by Jacki Bond, and "I Can Hear Music" by The Breakaways. 22 tracks – and great notes! CD