Bassey's new album is called “Get The Party Started” and if that is a
familiar title it's because it is a cover version of the Pink hit of
2001. According to some quarters, Bassey has outdone even the
pink-topped singer with her reinterpretation of the song. It is likely
to be remembered as Dame Bassey's song from now on.
image source
However, not many people outside of the UK know the origins of the recording. It started out as part of a TV advertising campaign by UK based retailers Marks and Spencers. Not the most promising of starts you would think. However, the combination in the ad of several glamorous actresses and models, including Twiggy, extremely high production values and a campness that only the British can muster or master led the song to be something of a cult hit.
You know the original song, of course. Now, think of some of Bassey's James Bond theme tunes and allow the rules of their construction and delivery apply to the sassy R&B number. Although Bassey has sometimes been accused of a certain imperiousness in her voice, her it matches the song immaculately.
It's just a shame then that the CD as a whole is - or at least seems to be - a hastily cobbled together concoction with only a single new recording added. That is “The Living Tree”. The song is by Never The Bride originally and the Dame gives it her all. It should have climbed much higher in the charts during its recent single release. It is just a shame, though, that more thought - and new material - could not have been put in to this collection.
The remaining songs are all remixes - and perusing the list of contributors bodes well. The likes of Bugz In The Attic, Caged Baby and The Glimmers all queued up for the opportunity to work with The Voice (albeit on a mixing desk and not the real thing). However the end result is somewhat disappointing. It's almost as if they were timidified by the sheer might of Bassey's tonsils and the result is somewhat meek to say the least.
But if you like Bassey then you will love this CD. The remixes of I Will Survive and Big Spender are bound to please die-hard and new fans alike and Kiss Me Honey kicks most of the new competition in to touch. Forget girls being allowed or dolls being pussycats, this is one raunchy lady who can still rock at seventy.
It seems, after all that there still ain't nothing like a Dame.
