Today, following on from last week’s Astrid’s Simply Bassey I shall complete the special request from Steven. The second of the two songs that mean the most to him, Almost There from the Electric Proms Show.
He said of this song: “Almost There – Says it all really – First heard this at the Electric Proms and I had a lump in my throat – It was the whole relationship story, about getting over the hurt and heartache and being able to open up, move on and get on with life, I think from that night on I realised that life does go on – going higher, and I’ll rise so much higher, and I’ll hold my head higher. Almost there.
Thank you for your requests Steven, and for allowing me to share your wonderful stories.
Next week there will be no Astrid’s Simply Bassey as I am away on holiday. In the meantime, please don’t forget to send me your requests!
Almost There (2009 Live)
Dame Shirley Bassey Blog 
Almost there is surely one of the best new songs!
I like the studio version much better than this Electric Proms version, i hope we will hear another live performance of this song or other songs from her fantastic new album soon.
Thanks Astrid! I wish you happy holidays!
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The video clip for this song must be seen. It is an excellent example of why Dame Shirley is one of the greatest or if you will, the greatest “live” performer of all time.
The intensity of this performance keeps building when finally towards the end she throws her arms into the air and belts out “Almost there…” The audience goes wild. The camera shot picked up the lighting behind her and created a “surreal effect”. For me, my reaction was a gasp and shivers.
Of interest too, at the end of the song, Dame Shirley lowers her head in a modest fashion because I think that she knew she “nailed it” and the ovation would be great. And it was.
The ending when the orchestra was holding the final note, it appeared to me to be an extra bar or so longer than expected and added to the drama.
Wow!
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It is not often that I love a song when I first hear it. It seems that most have to grow on me. Not so with so many that Dame Shirley sings. This song is no exception. IShe sings it so convincingly and with such grace and power! As the song is reaching the crescendo she is amazing. I don’t know if I would have loved the song so much had I not seen her perform it first. I am sure I would have felt there was electronic support allowing her to reach the phenomenal highs in this song. But to have seen it live(via YouTube) allowed me to see an impeccably preserved Diva Dame sing this magnificent song from her heart and soul.
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