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Dame Shirley Bassey - The Girl from Tiger Bay

Episode 2 of 6

Alan Yentob gains an insight into the creative world of Dame Shirley Bassey, and takes a look back over her life and career, complete with archive of her greatest performances.

Alan Yentob gains an insight into the creative world of Dame Shirley Bassey in a programme first shown in 2009. After a triumphant Glastonbury appearance and a major illness at the age of 72, Dame Shirley tentatively re-enters the ring to confront her life in song.

Some of the best contemporary songwriters, including Gary Barlow, the Pet Shop Boys, Manic Street Preachers, Rufus Wainwright, Richard Hawley and KT Tunstall, along with James Bond composer John Barry and lyricist Don Black, have interpreted her life through song for an album produced by David Arnold.

The songs frame and explore the myth of Shirley Bassey, the girl from Tiger Bay, and the voice and the desire are not found wanting. A backstory profiling Shirley, complete with archive of her greatest performances, tells the story of what makes her the living legend that she is today.

55 minutes

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Shirley Bassey

    Big Spender

  • Shirley Bassey

    The Girl From Tiger Bay

  • Shirley Bassey

    This is my Life

  • Shirley Bassey

    Hands across the sea

  • Shirley Bassey

    The Performance of my life

  • Vic Parker

    Folksong based on 'Tiger Bay'

  • Manic Street Preachers

    The Girl From Tiger Bay

  • Shirley Bassey

    Stormy Weather

  • Shirley Bassey

    Burn my Candle

  • Shirley Bassey

    As I Love You

  • Shirley Bassey

    This Time

  • Shirley Bassey

    Lady is a Tramp

  • Shirley Bassey

    Goldfinger

  • Shirley Bassey

    Diamonds Are Forever

  • Shirley Bassey

    Our Time is Now

  • Shirley Bassey

    After the Rain

  • Shirley Bassey

    I (Who have nothing)

  • Shirley Bassey

    No Good About Goodbye

  • KT Tunstall

    Nice Men

  • Shirley Bassey

    Shall We Dance?

  • Propellerheads

    History Repeating (feat. Shirley Bassey)

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Alan Yentob
Producer Dione Newton
Director Dione Newton
Executive Producer Janet Lee
Executive Producer Mark Cooper
Series Editor Alan Yentob

Broadcasts

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