Dame Shirley Bassey - The Living Tree (Lock Stock And Barrel)
UK release date: 23 April 2007
Safely embodying the 'national treasure' these days, Dame Shirley Bassey is probably the only 70-something who could quite happily get up in the middle of a Marks & Spencer advert, sing a Pink song and still have all her credibility intact.
It's all in that voice - still sounding stunning after all these years. The Living Tree has an interesting story behind it, originally being written by an unknown duo called Never The Bride who discovered which hotel Dame Shirley was staying in at Monte Carlo and left a tape behind reception with a note saying the song would be perfect with her.
And so it is - big orchestral flourishes and that voice combine to make the best Bond theme never made - it certainly would be a more suitable choice for Casino Royale than that Chris Cornell dirge. With a Glastonbury appearance to come later this year, Dame Shirley seems to be on the verge of being discovered by a whole new audience.
The inevitable dance remixes that come with the single are pleasant enough, but it's the original version which shows off Dame Shirley's voice to its best advantage. Magnificent, uplifting stuff.
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