Back to Bacharach

Steve Tyrell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B0016GLX5S
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,302 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #71 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Classic
  • #92 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Vocal Jazz
  • #95 in Music > Jazz > Vocal Jazz > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Steve Tyrell, whose appearances in the two "Father Of The Bride" movies, and whose albums "A New Standard" and "Standard Time" established him as a premier contemporary interpreter of the Great American Songbook, now turns his attention to one of the legendary composers in all of pop music: Burt Bacharach.

Steve has a personal stake in these classic songs. As a young man breaking into the record business in the 1960s, he became head of A&R and Promotion at Scepter Records, the history-making independent label that released the famous hits written by Bacharach and his lyricist partner Hal David, and recorded by the great Dionne Warwick. Tyrell was present at the creation of standards like "Walk On By," "Alfie," "I Say A Little Prayer," and many others. Moreover, he produced B.J. Thomas' Oscar-winning recording of Bacharach-David's "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head."

One can only categorize Tyrell's performances on "Back To Bacharach" as definitive. His supporting cast includes the top session players on two coasts, as well as guest collaborators Herb Alpert, Patti Austin, Dionne Warwick, James Taylor, Rod Stewart, and Martina McBride. Steve's own singular vocal style, drenched in the Texas tones of his sophisticated R&B approach, is perfectly suited to these great hits. He sings the songs exactly the way everyone wants to hear them. To top it all of, Maestro Bacharach himself appears on three tracks as a performer and two as co-producer.

Steve Tyrell's "Back To Bacharach" makes the case for adding Burt Bacharach to the roster of all-time great creators of the previous generation of American Songbook immortals---Porter, Gershwin, Berlin, Kern, and Ellington. And it does so with supreme style, taste, and expertise.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warmly seductive., June 24, 2008

By 

luc_doc7 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Back to Bacharach (Audio CD)

"Back To Bacharach" continues Tyrell's foray into pop standards and remains quite close to the winning formula he developed on his previous albums.
Virtually all the songs on the album are so well-known that it would be difficult not to compare them to the originals; the only difficulty would be knowing exactly which artist did record the original, since all of them had been so well-covered both by famous and not quite so famous singers.
Steve possesses a pleasantly husky voice, but has limited range.
He put this quality to good use in his version of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head".
However, tracks like "Walk on By", "Always Something There to Remind Me", and "This Guy's in Love with You" find Tyrell straining to reach the high notes.
There is nothing to stretch the imagination here, Steve's versions are all impeccably performed, perfectly in tune, very pleasant, no chance of alienating any existing fan.
On "I Say A Little Prayer" and "Don't Make Me Over", he duets gracefully with Patti Austin, who, along with Regina Belle, remains one of the best duet partners of all time. Patti nicely complements, but never overshadows Steve's voice.
Mostly Tyrell sticks close to Bacharach's original arrangements, although "The Look of Love" uses bass and guitar lines to give it more of a rock feel.
The result is always pleasant, yet Tyrell's takes very rarely leave a lasting mark in a listener's ear.
Many guest artists: Herb Alpert, vocalists Patti Austin and Lynne Fiddmont, Bob Mann, with Bacharach lending a hand as pianist on Bacharach and David's anthem, "What the World Needs Now is Love," a song Steve Tyrell believes is "more relevant now than it ever was." Bacharach's piano glues together the whole affair which features superguests Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Martina McBride and Dionne Warwick along with Tyrell.
The album debuts at # 3 of Billboard Top Jazz Albums and # 181 of The Billboard 200 (July 12, 2008)


Burt Bacharach's 60 Greatest Hit Songs
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Back to Bacharach
Look of Love: Burt Bacharach Songbook
Who'll Speak for Love

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Partnership, July 5, 2008

By 

Ellie Kligman "Ellie K." (Van Nuys, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back to Bacharach (Audio CD)

Steve is my favorite singer and interpretator of the great American Songbook compositions so I had trepidations as to whether I would enjoy this new endeavor of his tribute to Bacharach's music. I heard him give a preview of this new CD at his concert in Malibu and was thoroughly blown away. I loved it. There is a soft jazz approach to the tunes and the integrity of the music is completely maintained. The use of backup singers adds to the feel of today's music sound.Back to Bacharach

There are fourteen tracks in the album with duets shown in parentheses: Walk on By, The Look of Love, This Guy's in Love (Herb Alpert and Burt Bacharach), One Less Bell to Answer, What the World Needs Now (Rod Stewart, James Taylor, and Dionne Warwick), Reach Out for Me, I say A Little Prayer for You (Patti Austin), I Just don't know What To Do with Myself (Burt Bacharach), Always Something There to Remind Me, Don't Make Me Over (Bacharach and Austin), Close to You, A House Is Not A home, Alfie, and Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head. Bob Mann and Steve produced this (winning formula) with Jon Allen cooproducing.

The concept of this cd started in 2002 but was abandoned due to the passing of Steve's talented and lovely wife, Stephanie. During the last six years, the decision to complete this album was always there and finally reached its fruition in 2008. So, this particular CD holds a special meaning to Steve. In addition, Steve credits Burt as serving as his mentor and "professor."

All of the tracks are delightful to listen to and are well crafted. I consider Burt the pioneer in creating the soft jazz feeling in his compositions. The music is relaxing (never boring) and the lyrics by Hal David conveys a message that is timeless.

Steve's voice has matured as good wine does and has developed more poignancy and depth. The selection of songs used is impeccable. I loved his duos with Patti Austin. Is there a favorite track? That is a personal decision. A House is Not A Home delivers with a strong message, and One Less Bell tugs at the heart. You be the judge and jury.

Steve can do no wrong whether it be Porter, Gershwin, Disney, and now Bacharach. Interesting to note that the color scheme used on the cover and the insert are stimulating yet somber, orange and black.

This is a CD to be enjoyed and should be added to your Steve Tyrell/Burt Bacharach collection. Thank you, Steve, for never deserting this labor of love.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve's soul comes through in his music, July 7, 2008

By 

Judy Hurliman (PORTLAND,OREGON) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Back to Bacharach (Audio CD)

I think Steve's voice is richer and sweeter with each CD that he produces. I had the opportunity to meet Steve a couple of years ago and was impressed by the man and his music.
I play his music in my office on a regular basis and patients are constantly complementing his voice and style. Bacharach has been one of my favorites for many years and it makes sense that teaming Steve and Burt together would bring about beauty in this sometimes "not so beautiful world". Thanks for creating this CD.