Before her iconic performance of Goldfinger turned her into an international sensation, Shirley Bassey had already built a remarkable legacy of recordings—bold, emotive, and bursting with vocal charisma. As I Love You: The Complete Shirley Bassey 1956 to 1962 is an essential 5CD collection that chronicles those formative years, compiling rare albums, singles, and EP tracks that showcase Bassey’s dazzling versatility long before her James Bond fame.
Released by French label Frémeaux & Associés, this meticulously curated box set features a massive 108 tracks, drawn from her earliest recordings through her rise to stardom. Fans and collectors alike will discover her full stylistic range—from sultry torch songs and swing standards to dramatic ballads and blues numbers. The arrangements, helmed by legendary British orchestrators Geoff Love and Wally Stott, frame her voice with lush, cinematic flair.
The collection includes selections from her early albums such as Born to Sing the Blues, The Bewitching Shirley Bassey, The Fabulous Shirley Bassey, Showboat, At The Café de Paris, Shirley, and Let’s Face The Music. Lesser-known singles and live recordings round out the set, making it a definitive archive of Bassey’s pre-Goldfinger era. Each disc captures a different facet of her artistry—from moody nightclub ballads like “Stormy Weather” and “Blues in the Night,” to exuberant performances of “Let’s Face the Music and Dance” and “As I Love You,” which became her first UK #1 hit in 1959.
Among the many highlights are her sultry renditions of “Burn My Candle,” “My Funny Valentine,” “Cry Me a River,” and “If You Love Me.” There are also powerful takes on Broadway and film standards like “Bill,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” and “Where or When.” The later tracks show her expanding emotional range, particularly on “What Now My Love” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” foreshadowing the grandeur that would define her global career.
This beautifully packaged set includes comprehensive liner notes in both English and French, written by Olivier Julien, providing context and commentary on each era of Bassey’s early work. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her discography, As I Love You is a rare chance to explore the formative years of one of the 20th century’s greatest vocalists.
This 5CD set is a remarkable value for collectors and casual listeners alike. It’s a fitting tribute to the artistry of Shirley Bassey and a reminder of her powerful contribution to vocal jazz, pop, and show music before she became a global icon.
Track Highlights Include:
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“As I Love You”
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“Born to Sing the Blues”
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“Cry Me a River”
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“My Funny Valentine”
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“Let’s Face the Music and Dance”
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“Blues in the Night”
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“I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
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“Where Are You”
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“Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”
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“Climb Ev’ry Mountain”
Dame Shirley Bassey, born in 1937 in Cardiff, Wales, is one of Britain’s most celebrated vocalists, renowned for her commanding voice, theatrical presence, and decades-long recording career. Of Nigerian and English descent, she rose from working-class roots to international fame, becoming the first Welsh artist to score a UK number one single.
Her breakout hit came with “As I Love You” in 1959, and she achieved worldwide recognition with the title track for the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, followed by Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker. Known for her dynamic vocal range and glamorous persona, Bassey has performed for royalty and at Olympic ceremonies, earning countless accolades including a DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
While her Bond themes and 1970s recordings are iconic, her early years—captured in this new box set—reveal a raw, jazz-tinged elegance and emotional depth that laid the foundation for a career that spans over seven decades.