Shirley Bassey - YOU (1964 Studio Recording) / Once In A Lifetime (1964 Carnegie Hall Live)

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• published: 06 Apr 2012
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REMEMBERING THE GREAT VOCALISTS! Shirley Bassey IS in the upper stratosphere of great vocalists! 1964 (Shirley Bassey recorded both these songs in 1964. The song 'You' is the (B) side of her Columbia Records single with side (A) being the song, 'My Special Dream'. The second song is from Shirley's first appearance at Carnegie Hall in 1964, and this was her opening number. ABOUT the song, 'Once In A Lifetime': The song, 'Once In A Lifetime' was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the musical, 'Stop The World I Want To Get Off', Set against the backdrop of a circus, it focuses on Littlechap, whose first major step towards improving his lot is to marry Evie, his boss's daughter. Saddled with the responsibilities of a family, he allows his growing dissatisfaction with his existence to lead him into the arms of various women—Russian Anya, German Ilse, and American Ginnie—as he searches for something better than he has, only to realize in the twilight of his life what he always had—the love of his wife— was more than enough to sustain him. The West End production, directed by Newley, opened on July 20, 1961 at the Queen's Theatre, where it ran for 485 performances. Newley starred as Littlechap, with Anna Quayle playing the multiple roles of Evie and the other women in his life. Marti Webb was a member of the chorus. An original cast recording was released by Decca Records. Producer David Merrick, always impressed by a low-cost project requiring minimal sets, costumes, and a small cast, decided to stage the show in New York City. Directed by Newley, scenery and lighting design by Sean Kenny, musical supervision by Ian Fraser, musical direction by Milton Rosenstock, orchestrations by Ian Fraser, After one preview, the Broadway production opened on October 3, 1962 at the Shubert Theatre, eventually transferring to the Ambassador to complete its 555-performance run. Newley and Quayle reprised their London roles. Newley later was replaced by Kenneth Nelson, then Joel Grey, and Joan Eastman assumed the roles of Evie et al. A Broadway cast recording was released by Polydor. On the national company tour, the show starred Grey and Julie Newmar. A Broadway revival directed by Mel Shapiro opened on August 3, 1978 at the New York State Theatre in Lincoln Center, where it ran for 30 performances. The cast included Sammy Davis, Jr. and Marian Mercer. A revival cast recording was released by Warner Bros. Records LYRICS: Just once in a lifetime There's one special moment One wonderful moment When fate takes your hand And this is the moment My once in a lifetime When I can explore A new and exciting land For once in my lifetime I feel like a giant I soar like an eagle As tho' I had wings For this is my moment My destiny calls me And tho' it may be just once in my lifetime I'm gonna do great things Just once in my lifetime I feel like a giant I soar like an eagle As though I had wings For this is my moment My destiny calls me And tho' it may be just once in my lifetime I'm gonna do great things ABOUT Tony Osborne, Writer of the song, 'YOU': Birth Name - Edward Benjamin Osborne Trumpet player, pianist, composer, arranger and conductor. Born: June 1922 nr Cambridge, England. Died: March 1st 2009 in Sydney, Australia. He worked with prima donna singers like Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt and Dorothy Squires and helped create some of the biggest hits of the era, including Gracie Fields' Around The World, Connie Francis' Mama and the Beverley Sisters' Sisters. He was born Edward Benjamin Osborne on 29 June, 1922, in Cambridge. A versatile musician, he was a junior accordion champion, could play the bass, piano and trumpet. After serving in the RAF during the Second World War (during which time he changed his name to Tony to escape the nickname 'Little Teddy') he sought work as a session musician in London. He played with top band leaders and also the BBC Orchestra on scores for their radio comedy shows and soon progressed to writing arrangements. He landed work for EMI while his band, the Brass Hats, became the house band on kids' show Six-Five Special and composed the theme for another, Juke Box Jury. This led on to his work with chart stars, most notably Shirley Bassey for whom he wrote several songs, arranged many more and conducted concert performances. His biggest success with Bassey was the soaring, bombastic 1963 number I (Who Have Nothing). Tony Osborne was married twice and had a son, Gary, and a daughter, Jan. Gary Osbourne is a songwriter who has worked with the likes of Jeff Wayne and Elton John. Special Thanks to Pieter and Astrid from the Shirley Bassey blog and all those who have provided wonderful pictures of Shirley!