People who read this blog know that my passion is collecting Shirley’s CDs. I have a large collection including CDs from many different countries. I’m always on the lookout for new releases or ones I haven’t got. Recently I saw one being offered which was advertised as ‘Digitally Remastered – The Magic Is You’. There was a photo of the sleeve which looked the same as the UA album but the photo of the back of the CD was totally different. The seller described it as an ‘import’ but from where it didn’t say. I managed to buy it and after an anxious wait (I always worry in case these things get lost in the mail) it arrived.
The Magic Is You CD.
I did wonder if it might be the US release on the EMI Manhattan label when I sent for it but as soon as I opened the package and saw it I knew it wasn’t. The CD didn’t come sealed but it was obvious that it was new and not played. It’s on the United Artists label (strange as that label has not been in existance for years) and the catalogue number is the same as the UA album from 1978. On the back insert it states 1978 UA RECORDS and 2009 PolyGram company, EU.
Back Insert
Actual CD
There is no doubt that the CD comes from Eastern Europe (probably Russia) as when the barcode number is searched a Russian website is indicated but I was not able to access it. The CD has been professionally manufactured and looks excellent. I’m really very pleased with it and the sound quality is very good. However it still has to pass the ‘Ed’ test. He hasn’t heard it yet and he’ll tell me how good the quality actually is!!
Inside the front insert.
I’m really very pleased that I managed to buy it. It’s a great addition to my collection and as yet this album hasn’t been remastered as her other UA albums have been. I hope BGO will remaster the album eventually but in the meantime this will keep me happy.
Now I have to sit back and wait for the new album – I am trying to be patient! I have heard there is a ‘new’ double CD set to be released in September on the Jasmine Label. You’ve guessed it the Philips recordings yet again and the set is called ‘As I Love You’. No idea of the tracks but I’m not holding my breath that ‘The Wall’ is included.
Like this:
Like Loading...
August 24, 2009
Categories: Bassey Blog . . Author: DavidB . Comments: 5 Comments
About the dress Shirley is wearing for this performance: A twinkling stage gown by Douglas Darnell, the black silk chiffon ground encrusted with black sequins, with exceptionally low-cut back [now without butterfly adornment] and sweetheart neckline, the bias cut skirt with flowing train lined in silver silk tissue;
The album cover illustrated shows the black sequin gown in its original incarnation as ‘The Butterfly’. Dame Shirley wore it for numerous stage appearances and it can also be seen in the BBC footage of Live At The Talk Of The Town, 1972. Dame Shirley told us that her fans were particularly fond of this dress when it had the crystal butterfly in place and used to call out asking “Where’s the butterfly” if she went on stage in another gown, to which she responded: “It’s flown away”.
