NEVER mind Madonna.

If it's good old-fashioned glitz, glamour and showbiz pizazz you're after, Dame Shirley Bassey's your woman - and you can see her right here in Hampshire on Friday.

The undisputed queen of torch songs, famous for her booming voice and theatrical poses, will be performing to a crowd of 8,000 in the suitably grand setting of Somerley House, near Ringwood.

The luxurious grounds of Somerley - historic home of Lord and Lady Normanton - will be transformed into an arena for the show, one of six gigs that Dame Shirley, 64, is performing at stately homes this summer.

As fans settle down to their picnics, the legendary singer will launch into a string of her greatest hits, with backing from a 21-piece band.

Rounding off the evening in explosive style will be a choreographed fireworks display.

Dame Shirley is probably best known for the trio of songs she recorded for the James Bond films - Diamonds Are Forever, Goldfinger and Moonraker - all beautifully orchestrated and perfectly showcasing her powerful voice and instinct for heightened drama.

Born in Tiger Bay in Cardiff's docklands in 1937, the youngest of seven children, Dame Shirley began her working life, somewhat unpromisingly, in a factory packing department.

In order to supplement her meagre income, she began singing in local working mens' clubs.

Her big break came when she was spotted by British bandleader Jack Hylton and was asked to appear alongside Al Read in the 1955 Christmas show at London's Adelphi Theatre.

Her first hit single was 1957's calypso-flavoured Banana Boat Song. She followed this with a string of memorable songs, including Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me, Big Spender and a moving version of the Beatles' classic, Something.

More recently, Dame Shirley was rediscovered by a younger generation as a pop heroine after she teamed up with big-beat specialists, the Propellerheads, for History Repeating, which became a Top 20 hit.

Some tickets for Friday night's concert are still available, priced £27.50. For more information, call Ticketmaster on 0870 900 9933 or the BIC box office on 01202 456456.