Today my all time favourite duet. The 1974 duet Davy with composer/songwriter Benard Ighner. The song was released on her album Nobody Does It Like Me and was also released as a single. This series of duets are almost all re-posts due to the fact that new duets were found and because on the old posts most of the links were not working anymore. A few weeks after the first post of the Davy duet I got an email from Bernard Ighner where he shared his fond memories of Shirley.
Here is the email:
Dear Mr. Daane,
Firstly, I do apologize for the lengthy delay in response to your email, sent to me on the 30th of June of this year.
Hopefully, all apologizes accepted, It would be a pleasure to tell you something about the duet I did with Shirley Bassey singing “Davy” on her 1974 album “Nobody Does It Like Me”.
Prior to meeting Dame Shirley Bassey, I like many many others so enjoy her Robust Style [ie] “Gold Fingah”. Equal to her robust delivery is a beautiful Voice. One that is instantaneously identifiable as hers.
The late Dr. George Butler who was head of A&R at United Artist Records during that time, sent Shirley Bassey a song “Davy” I had written and recorded as a demo with my sister Sondra Ighner who was the original female voice on the original recording of Davy.
Dame Shirley Bassey did in fact come to Los Angeles,California to record “Davy” with me, as a duet. I was totally delighted with the idea. It was difficult to believe such a power voice came from such a petite woman. I liked her instantly, There was no ego to contend with, just mutual respect.
I learned that she had never recorded with anyone else, prior to me nor since. Not being totally sure of the above at this point, I should hope, that distinction still belongs to me.
As the session got underway, I immediately discovered our voices were beautiful together. It was fantastic!!!
Just today, I went into my garage to look for something in particular. There was no pre-thought as it relates to looking for what I subsequently, opened the first box and found. It was truly miraculous. It is a magazine photo from the United Artist release of Shirley Bassey’s “Davy” .
Do you have a relationship with her? If so, give her my “Best Wishes” In addition to the photo is an audio file of a song entitled “Everything Must Change” I wrote and am singing which has become a Modern Day Classic. If you are in touch with her, please pass it on to her for me? Thank you in advance.
Mr. Ighner died on August 14 2017 at the age of 72.
Below you can listen to an interview from 1978 for BBC-radio Dame Shirley did with Pete Murray where she speaks about her least favourite album which is Nobody Does It Like Me. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and not in the UK. The song ‘Davy’ is from that album. To listen to the interview click on the player below.
Dame Shirley Bassey Blog 
interesting and sad that an artist (and perfectionist) who became a genune star and a world class artist did not have more artistic control over a finished album. But maybe very little would get releaed because an artist of her sensitivity would always have lingering doubts and think something could be improved still further. Effectively an artist is `owned` by the recording companies and impressarios, even on stage you are only as good as the sound and lighting men and the musicians , no wonder it is nerve wracking and must get harder as you get older with a packed house awaiting you.
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my only complaint with the `NOBODY DOES IT LIKE ME ` LP was that it only contained 10 tracks whereas most LPS had 12. I am not saying it should be filled up for the sake of it but 2 songs could surely have been found.
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Thank you Pieter. What a beautiful interesting email sent to you by Mr. Eigner. He really thought highly of DSB, and what a shame they did not have the opportunity to catch up with one another over the ensuing years. I believe Mr. Reigned as about ten years younger than DSB. I really enjoyed the interview. Trying to picture DSB dusting and vacumming😃. Thanks very much Piete
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I love “Davy.” I hope DSB will consider recording “Everything Must Change” for her next CD
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