Customer Reviews

Burt Bacharach Songbook

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While certainly not the most comprehensive package of Bacharach-penned hits available (and any collection that, whether deliberately or inadvertently, omits Bacharach's primary vocalist, Dionne Warwick, is guilty of at least one egregious error), The Burt Bacharach Songbook makes a fine starter set for the passing Bacharach fan. With Bacharach personally arranging and conducting several tracks, including Jackie DeShannon's "What The World Needs Now Is Love" and Gene Pitney's "Only Love Can Break A Heart", the collection also includes the primary pop hit versions of many other Bacharach tunes, notably The Fifth Dimension's #2 smash from December of 1970, "One Less Bell To Answer", Sandie Shaw's Beatles-era UK #1, "(There's) Always Something There To Remind Me", Dusty Springfield's 1964 British hit take on "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" and Jack Jones' 1963 easy-listening classic, "Wives And Lovers". In addition, the album also features a few rare covers, including Della Reese's bluesy "A House Is Not A Home" and Dionne Warwick's own sister's interpretation of her 1967 hit, "Alfie"! All in all, an excellent (if regrettably Dionne Warwick-less) Bacharach tribute.

Found this album by accident. Played it once. Played it over and over and over and... Lost my original copy and felt like I had a hole in my soul. Thank God Amazon has got it in stock. Am ordering two copies now, one for the house and one for the car. I'm hooked! Bacharach forever!

This collection zero's in on the '60s and '70s with lyricist Hal David ~ remember the numerous Dionne Warwick releases and other Bacharach anthologies ~ gathered here are some different but deserving interpretations along with several hits, sophisticated, inventive and memorable tunes which were immortalized by many of the world's greatest performers.

This is a must have ~ 17 tracks with a lasting impact demonstrated by some high reaching numbers on the "pop charts" ~ bittersweet and memorable melodies that never seem to fade over the passing of the years.

Must thank ~ Cary E. Mansfield & Jim Pierson (producer) ~ Dan Hersch (digitally remastered) ~ Bill Inglot (sound produced by) ~ Jim Pierson (wonderful liner-notes) ~ Varese Sarabande in showcasing music that will always remain ripe for a return visit ~ BURT BACHARACH!

Total Time: 54:30 on 17 Tracks...Varese Sarabande VSD-5873...(1998)

The Burt Bacharach Songbook, 1998, Varese Sarabande Records.

Fitting tribute, cover versions that would loom large in the Composer's mind.

Collection Produced by Carey E. Mansfield and Jim Pierson.

Sound Produced by Bill Inglot.

Digitally Remastered by Dan Hersch.

4 songs produced by Burt Bacharach.

What The World Needs Now Is Love Jackie DeShannon

Wives And Lovers Jack Jones

Make It Easy On Yourself Jerry Butler

Only Love Can Break A Heart Gene Pitney

13 Cover Versions. Masterpieces.

(They Long To Be) Close To You Andy Williams

from the album The Impossible Dream, Columbia, 1972.
Produced by Mike Post

A House Is Not A Home Della Reese

from the album On Strings Of Blue, ABC, 1967.
Arranged and Conducted by Sid Feller.

The Look Of Love Roger Williams

from the album Only For Lovers, Kapp, 1969.
Produced by Hy Grill. Arranged by Roger Williams.

I'll Never Fall In Love Again Anne Murray

from the album Anne Murray, Capitol, 1971.
Produced and Arranged by Brian Ahern

One Less Bell To Answer The 5th Dimension

Bell Single, Pop #2, 1970.
Produced and Arranged by Bones Howe

I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself Dusty Springfield

from the album Dusty, Phillips, 1964.
Produced by John Franz. Accompaniment Directed by Ivor Raymond.

(There's) Always Something There To Remind Me Sandy Shaw

Reprise Single, Pop #52, 1964.

You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart) The Stylistics

Arco Single, Pop #23, 1973.

Anyone Who Had A Heart Maureen McGovern

from the album Baby I'm Yours, RCA, 1992.

Do You Know The Way To San Jose Ramsey Lewis

from the album Maiden Voyage, Cader, 1968.
arranged by Charles Stepney and Cleveland J. Eaton II

Alfie Dee Dee Warwick

Mercury Produced by John Fraz
Arranged and Conducted by Peter Knight.

Don't Make Me Over Petulia Clark

from the album, Blue Lady, ABC, 1976.
Produced by Chips Mormon

Message To Michael Lena Horne & Gabor Szabo

from the album Lena & Gabor, Skye 1970.
Produced by Gary McFarland and Gabor Szabo.
Arranged by Gary Mcfarland

It's been very liberating to study the liner notes of the Varese Vintage label and see Trade names and Associates linked to Burt Bacharach & Hal David.

Most celebrated works.

People in the business Bacharach & David look up to.

Huge loyal following.

World finest artist, producers and arrangers.

Assembled in one place for a nice price.

I asked my wife "who sings 'Close To You'?". Easy question, the Carpenters. Not on this CD, it's Andy Williams. "Do You Know The Way To San Jose" is a piano instrumental, no horns, no lyrics. With a few exceptions, the artists I associate with my favorite Bacharach songs were not on this CD. When you've grown up with certain artists in mind for certain songs it is tremendously disappointing to be fed different versions. I should have read more thouroughly, I wished I hadn't bought it.

If you want to hear these songs the way you remember them buy a collection featuring the original artists. These versions range from passable to awful. I love these songs, I hate these performances.