(Liberator)

Songwriting pop master re-imagines his huge array of hits

Let’s be clear about this – as a singer, Burt Bacharach makes a fantastic songwriter. Which explains why all his best songs were made into hits by others, like Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Herb Alpert and Dusty Springfield. His track record of hits is impressive, the kind of eminently likeable pop capital that ensures Bacharach’s songs are still well-loved after all these years. This double CD is proof of that, where he delivers these iconic songs at an iconic location in an orchestral format with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Sure, three lesser-knowns do the singing, but it’s the songs themselves that carry the day, especially when set in the grand sweep of an orchestra, with the man on piano in front of a presumably well-heeled but appreciative crowd. There’s so many songs, Bacharach resorts to four massive medleys to squeeze them all in – the first one, for example, collates eight songs, including Don’t Make Me Over, Walk On By, This Guy’s In Love With You, Wishin’ & Hopin’ and I Say A Little Prayer. And to see such a master on stage reliving his amazing catalogue of hits means the audience is with him all the way.  

***

BILL HOLDSWORTH

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*