Dame Shirley Bassey yesterday the 22.nd of November at the Old Vic Theatre in London where she attended the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

The 61st Evening Standard Theatre Awards took place in a star-studded ceremony at the Old Vic yesterday evening, Sunday 22nd November, with Nicole Kidman, James McAvoy, Imelda Staunton and Vanessa Redgrave among the big winners of the night.

The event was attended by a glittering assortment of high profile celebrities and some of the most prestigious names in the theatre industry, including Shirley Bassey, Ralph Fiennes, Pixie Lott, Lindsay Lohan, Anna Wintour, Adrian Lester, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Simon Russell Beale, Kate Beckinsale, Richard E. Grant, Zoe Wanamaker, Rufus Norris, Penelope Wilton, Ruth Wilson, Dominic West, and many more. This year’s Awards was co-hosted by the Evening Standard’s owner Evgeny Lebedev with acting legends Dame Judi Dench and Ian McKellan, and presented by Rob Brydon.
It was no surprise that Imelda Staunton took home the award for Best Musical Performance for Gypsy, receiving thunderous applause as she went on stage to collect the award from Dame Shirley Bassey. She later brought the house down with a live performance of ‘Everything’s Coming Up Roses’ from the musical, which earned her a standing ovation from the audience.

Yesterday on November 23 a gorgeous looking Dame Shirley Bassey attended another event: the RNIB Gala Dinner at Dorchester Hotel in London, England.

Dame Shirley Bassey wore a bold block colour dress.
She brightened up the room in her bold purple dress and looked elegant with a slick of red lipstick.
Dame Shirley, 78, looked every inch the diva in a black fur cloak to cover her gown and shield off the winter cold.

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Dame Shirley Bassey lends her support to the RNIB’s ‘See The Need’ campaign. If you see the need for a sight loss adviser in every UK hospital join their campaign by signing the petition.

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Written by Elton John / Bernard J. P. Taupin.

Released on the 1991 album Keep The Music Playing.

Previously sung by Elton John 1976 on his album “Blue Moves”. 1977 he reached No. 6 in the US Billboard with this song. Concerning Shirley’s relationship to Elton John, she attended Elton John’s 50th birthday party dressed as Cleopatra. The song has also been performed by Joe Cocker, and more recently in a duet with Elton John and the band Blue.

Below two Dame Shirley Bassey/Elton John videos: The first one Dame Shirley Bassey arrives at Elton John’s 50th. birthday party in 1997 and in the second video she is on her way to Elton John’s wedding in 2005.

Lyrics:

What do I have to do to make you love me?
What do I have to do to make you care?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
And I awake to find that you’re not there?

What do I do to make you want me?
What do I have to do to be heard?
What do I say when it’s all over?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word

It’s sad, so sad
It’s a sad, sad situation
And it’s getting more and more absurd
It’s sad, so sad
Why can’t we talking over?
Always seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word

It’s sad, so sad
It’s a sad, sad situation
And it’s getting more and more absurd
It’s sad, so sad
Why can’t we talking over?
Always seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word

What do I have to do to make you love me?
What do I have to do to be heard?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
What do I have to do?
What do I have to do?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word

(Transcribed by Roman)

That’s What Friends Are For
Written by Carole Bayer Sager / Burt Bacharach.

Released on the 1991 album Keep The Music Playing.

From the soundtrack of the comedy movie “Night Shift” in 1982. In 1985 Dionne Warwick & Friends reached No. 1 in the US Billboard with this song. This was an all-star group including Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder.

On one sleeve note Rick Glanvill mentions Deniece Williams in connection with this song, but as far as I know, it was a different song with the same title that she sung. (In 1976 Deniece Williams sang a song with this title, and in 1978 Johnny Mathis sang it with Deniece Williams.)

Plot summary of “Night Shift” from the net: A nebbish of a morgue attendant gets shunted back to the night shift where he is shackled with an obnoxious neophyte partner who dreams of the “one great idea” for success. His life takes a bizarre turn when a prostitute neighbour complains about the loss of her pimp. His partner, upon hearing the situation, suggests that they fill that opening themselves using the morgue at night as their brothel. Against his better judgement, he gets talked into the idea, only to find that it’s more than his boss that has objections to this bit of entrepreneurship.

A remix releases as a single

Lyrics:

And I never thought I’d feel this way
And as far as I’m concerned
I’m glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try
To feel the way I do today
And then if you can remember

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That’s what friends are for
In good times, and bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

Well, you came and opened me
And now there’s so much more I see
And so, by the way, I thank you
And then for the times when we’re apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
These words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That’s what friends are for
In good times, in bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore
That’s what friends are for

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times, and bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore
That’s what friends are for

In good times, in bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore
That’s what friends are for

In good times, in bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore
That’s what friends are for

(Transcribed by Roman)

Yesterday the Graham Norton Show, that is being broadcast on Friday with Dame Shirley Bassey & Blake, has been recorded.
Here you can once more enjoy the last time Dame Shirley was on the Graham Norton Show which was last year. (Special thanks to Peter for the newspapers)

Tiger Bay temptress and world famous singer Dame Shirley Bassey flirts outrageously with comedian and children’s author David Walliams on the Graham Norton show airing tonight on BBC One.

Shirley was on the chatshow to promote her new album – Hello Like Before – but got caught up in a raucous exchange with Walliams who revealed he is a huge James Bond fan.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE ON WALES ONLINE

WALES ON-LINE: FUNNYMAN Rhod Gilbert was totally overwhelmed by “Bassey-mania” when he shared the couch on The Graham Norton Show with the pride of Tiger Bay.

The Perrier Award-nominated comedian is on an all-Welsh edition of the BBC2 hit programme tonight but admitted he and Port Talbot actor Michael Sheen couldn’t compete against the 72-year-old Shirley Bassey.

The Carmarthen comic, 41, said: “The whole room was enthused with Bassey-mania.

“This monolith, this superstar just overshadowed everything. You couldn’t try and drive it. You couldn’t be star of the show. You could not, in any way, try to upstage her.

“You had to go around the edges without upsetting this massive applecart.”

Rhod, who hosts a Saturday morning show on BBC Radio Wales and has released a new DVD called Rhod Gilbert and the Award-Winning Mince Pie, and New Moon star Sheen were both warmly applauded when they took the stage.

But Bassey received a three minute standing ovation as flowers were thrown from the crowd.

Fans had flown in from as far as New York to see her.

But Bassey, who wears a “black number” on tonight’ s show was not too big to have a gossip about Wales as she and Rhod waited in the green room.

The stand up, who has just reached the end of a three-month tour, said: “We were chatting about Cardiff and Tiger Bay. She probably didn’t know who I was but she is a pro, she would have been briefed.

V Graham Norton was an entertainment programme shown on Channel 4 in the UK starring Graham Norton, broadcast every weeknight as a successor to the weekly So Graham Norton. It aired from 6 May 2002 to 26 December 2003. It featured celebrities who chatted with Graham and became involved in studio games which were usually laden with sexual innuendo. Here you can watch the full show & the preview broadcast the day before. Dame Shirley was on the show for the fact that she had been in show business for 50 years that year and to promote her album Thank You For The Years.

Dame Shirley pictured in the studio during the recording of the “Thank you for the years” album in Spain. April 2003

Here they are and what a performance it was! Dame Shirley & Blake singing Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire on tonight’s Graham Norton Show.For all of you you haven’t been able to watch it on tv. tonight. Dame Shirley looking gorgeous and sounding fabulous.

Lyrics:

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa’s on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother’s child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

So I’m offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you

They know that Santa’s on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother’s child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I’m offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you

Wind Beneath My Wings

Written by Larry J. Henley / Jeff Alan Silbar
(sometimes the name L. Harry is mentioned).

Released on the 1991 album Keep The Music Playing.

The song is part of the soundtrack of the movie “Beaches” of 1988, sung by Bette Midler. In 1989 she reached No. 1 in the US Billboard with this song. Originally a minor hit for Lee Hazelwood in the mid 1970’s in America. Sung by many artists before Bette Midler, including Sheena Easton in 1982 and Roger Whittaker 1982.

Following a plot summary for the movie “Beaches” from the net: When the New York child performer CC Bloom (Bette Midler) and San Francisco rich kid Hillary (Barbara Hershey) meet in a holiday resort in Atlantic City, it marks the start of a lifetime friendship between them. The two keep in touch through letters for a number of years until Hillary, now a successful lawyer moves to New York to stay with struggling singer CC. The movie shows the various stages of their friendship and their romances including their love for the same man.

Lyrics:

It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine
You always walked a step behind
I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
Only a face without a name
I never once heard you complain

Did you ever know that you’re my hero
And everything I would like to be
I can fly higher than an eagle
‘Cause you are the wind beneath my wings

It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I have it all here in my heart
I want you to know, I know the truth
I would be nothing with out you

Did you ever know that you’re my hero
And everything I would like to be
I can fly higher than an eagle
‘Cause you are the wind beneath my wings

Did you ever know that you’re my hero
And everything I would like to be
I can fly higher than an eagle
‘Cause you are the wind beneath my wings
You are the wind beneath my wings
You are the wind beneath my wings

(Transcribed by Roman)

Below one the best live versions of Wind Beneath My Wings

Abide With Me
Music by William Henry Monk. Lyrics by Henry Francis Lyte. Revised by Charlie Skarbek.

Released in 1999 on the various artists album Land Of My Fathers recorded with the Morriston Rugby Choir. Charlie Skarbek played the guitar for this song and he was also the producer.

This hymn had been repeatedly played among other songs by the seven musicians of the band of the Titanic as the ship went down. No member of the band survived.

The original song has three more verses and was called “Eventide”. It was in the compilation of “Hymns Ancient and Modern” (1859-1861). This most popular English hymnal ever published and was created under the musical editorship of William H. Monk (1823-1889) to compile all the individual songs of the Anglican church of the 1st half of the 19th century. Also Greek and Latin hymns were translated into English for this work.

“Abide with Me” is an evening hymn. Its word pictures are taken from the experience of the passing day: falling eventide, deepening darkness, growing dimness, and fading glories. In that, it can also be an introspective of the end of life

Stricken with tuberculosis, Henry resigned the parish he pastored in England. It is said that he almost had to crawl to the pulpit for the final sermon. He wrote this prayer to Christ, echoing the words of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who pleaded the risen Christ to “abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.” Soon after he died, at the age of 54. What a joy when a believer can approach death as Mr. Lyte did, or as did the uncle of this writer, “I want to see Jesus.”

But this text is also a prayer for living life now. The original hymn had eight stanzas and the three that are usually omitted also are a prayer for today. (Additional Lyrics) In all, this hymn reminds us to plead with our Lord to abide with us. Stay with us. Be there unchanging when all around us changes. Through cloud and sunshine, abide. “In life and death, O Lord, abide with me.”

Hymn Story:
It is commonly reported that Henry Lyte wrote this hymn in 1847, when he was dying of tuberculosis. He reportedly finished it the Sunday he preached his farewell sermon to the parish he had served for many years, before leaving for Italy in hopes of restoring his health. However, there is evidence that he wrote this hymn in 1820, after visiting a dying friend, who, on his death bed, kept murmuring the passage from Luke 24:29, where the disciples who were traveling to Emmaus asked Jesus to “abide with us, for it is evening and day is almost spent.” Perhaps, feeling his own frailty on that Sunday in 1847, he remembered the hymn he had previously written, and brought it out at that time, lending credence to the first scenario.

Originally with a tune that was also written by Lyte, this hymn was not widely used at that time. It was first published in England in a book “Lyte’s Remains, 1850, and in America in Henry Ward Beecher’s Plymouth Collection, 1855. It was discovered by William Monk and included by him in Hymns, Ancient and Modern, 1861.

Lyte desired to leave behind a hymn that would endure. One of his earlier poems stated it: “Some simple strain, some spirit-moving lay, Some sparklet of the soul that still might live When I was passed to clay… And grant me … my last breath to spend In song that may not die!”

Lyrics:

Abide with me
Fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens
Lord with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh abide with me

Together with choir:
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earths joys grows dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O thou who changed not, abide with me

Abide with me
Fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens
Lord give me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh abide with me

(Transcribed by Patrick)

CLICK HERE TO ORDER SINGLE (DIGITAL ONLY)

There’s been much chatter over the past few weeks from chart-watchers discussing the achievements (or not) of Justin Bieber, who has been breaking UK Singles Chart records on a weekly basis since he became the first living act since The Beatles in 1963 to replace himself at Number One a few weeks ago. Some consider it less of an accomplishment in this day-and-age where the chart is made up of download sales and streaming figures, thus enabling album tracks to enter simultaneously, whilst others are quite content to give Bieber his due credit.

One record that the 21 year old Canadian will have to wait some time to conquer is the Longest UK Singles Chart Career, a longevity record that has been held by the legendary Tony Bennett since 2010 when he lent his distinctive vocals to a section of the charity single We Are The World 25 for Haiti (which, coincidentally, also features the input of the aforementioned Bieber, then only 16). Bennett first appeared on the UK Singles Chart in April 1955 and made his last appearance (so far) in October 2011 on the duet with the late Amy Winehouse, Body and Soul. This is a seemingly unbreakable span of new material in the Singles Chart of 56 years and 5 months… but Shirley Bassey is about to steal his crown.

Blake and Shirley’s version of The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) was released on Friday and, regardless of the chart position, when it enters the chart this week it will extend Shirley’s run of UK hit singles to an astonishing 58 years and 10 months – she first appeared in the listings with The Banana Boat Song on 21st February 1957. To put this in context, it’s the equivalent of Justin Bieber having a new recording enter the chart in 2068!

When Shirley wrenches this new chart record from Tony Bennett (surely it’s a case of ‘when, not ‘if’?) she’ll be one of only seven artists to amass over 50 years of new hits on the Singles Chart. The current long-stayers are:

Tony Bennett (56 years, 5 months) from Stranger in Paradise (1955) to Body and Soul (2010) – Bennett entered the album chart more recently, with his Cheek to Cheek album with Lady Gaga in 2014, but no singles charted from this release.

Paul McCartney (52 years, 3 months) from Love Me Do (1963) to FourFive Seconds (2015) – McCartney’s collaboration with Rihanna and Kanye West extended his chart reign to go ahead of fellow Beatle Ringo Starr, who last appeared in the charts on Peter Kay’s 2010 Children in Need single.

Brian Wilson (51 years, 4 months) from Surfin’ USA (1963) to God Only Knows (2014) – The Beach Boys founder and pop music legend sneaks his way into this list by taking part in the BBC’s 2014 cover version of his own song, raising money for Children in Need. A note to pop stars who want to extend their chart life… get in on a charity ensemble, it’s the surefire way to get yourself back in the charts, even if you’re only singing one line.

Cliff Richard (51 years) from Move It! (1958) to Singin’ the Blues (2009) – after McCartney, Cliff is probably the closest rival to take the longevity crown, still producing new material, although he hasn’t made it into the Singles Chart since this 2009 version of the Melvin Endsley standard alongside…

Bruce Welch and Hank Marvin (50 years, 7 months) from Livin’ Lovin’ Doll (1959) to Singin’ the Blues (2009) – the two members of The Shadows (formerly The Drifters) make up the last places in the over-50-years chart club, just shy of Cliff’s timespan as they didn’t appear on his first hit records.

Shirley currently sits in seventh place on the list after her return to the chart in 2007 with her rendition of Pink’s Get The Party Started, but she deserves to be at the top of this list, in illustrious company. Come Friday she will leapfrog everyone and gain pole position as the longest charting performer (with new material) in UK Singles Chart history. Not only is there a chance of a high chart placing on Christmas Day, there’s even a possibility of a Number One – Shirley’s first since 1961? We’ll have to wait and see – all sales and downloads up to midnight on Christmas Eve will count towards the chart so (as if you need any encouragement) BUY, DOWNLOAD and STREAM the HECK out of it NOW! The Official Christmas Chart will be announced live on BBC Radio 1 between 10am and 1pm on Christmas Day so tune in to find out where The Christmas Song ends up. If you need further enticement, here’s a new interview with Dame Shirley and the Blake boys… wouldn’t it be nice to end the run of X Factor hits and finally have a classic Christmas song at the top of the charts on the big day? Shirley certainly thinks so!

Finally, an additional tidbit of chart trivia… all this talk of Bieber taking up the number one and two spots in the Singles Chart reminded me that Shirley very nearly did the same thing back in the day. In February 1959 she held both the number two and number three spots on the chart with As I Love You at #2 and Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me at #3. The person keeping her from topping the chart? Only Elvis Presley… whom she knocked off the number one spot the following week.

Dame Shirley Bassey & Blake’s wonderful performance on Strictly Come Dancing.

Today’s blog is dedicated to our dear friend Jean.

Dame Shirley was part of a photo shoot for Evening Standard earlier this month. (Special thanks to Peter)

The blog team would like to wish everybody a fabulous new (Bassey) year. Below you can watch the interview that Dame Shirley & Blake did with Alex Belfield earlier this month. She speaks very open about all kind of topics including how unhappy she is with the mix of her last CD Hello Like Before. Also she speaks about touring and is not denying she will ever tour again although it might be in a different way and form. So I am sure we can expect some surprises from her again this new year.Enjoy Celebrity Radio’s Dame Shirley Bassey 2015 TV Interview Blake Christmas Song Exclusive…

Dame Shirley Bassey has teamed up with the brilliant classical trio Blake for her first EVER Christmas single. More………..

Dame Shirley Bassey & Blake on the One Show last December

Today a short YouTube video recorded at Blake’s album launch party on 16th November 2015 and a selection of tweets and Instagrams from the event at London’s Mandarin Oriental hotel.

To celebrate Dame Shirley Bassey’s Christmas collaboration with Blake, The Mandarin Bar in London concocted a delicious pink champagne inspired “Dame Shirley” cocktail. Embodying the spirit of the Grand Dame herself, this bold, sassy and totally fabulous cocktail is a blend of Snow Queen Vodka, lemon juice, fresh raspberries, raspberry puree, yellow chartreuse, honey mix and champagne. Great way to make your toast for DSB’s 2016 birthday on January 8th!