Customer Reviews

Make It Easy on Yourself

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My Uncle worked for Burt Bacharach, in some capacity, and through that connection, I have been able to see him twice, and grow up with his songs in one way or another. Though, most of my schooling with Burt Bacharach was deliberate. I have searched him out and always been pleased. There are so many albums to choose from, but I like this one because it's really heartbreaking. I tend to put this one on when I am in love or heartbroken. It seems to work for both occasions (for which I am always one or the other).

The title track is sung by Bacharach himself instead of one of his slick hired voices that tend to trap the song in a particular era, his vocals, at least in that song are pretty powerful, and full of depth and range. A terribly sad song.

The lushness and velvetiness that his scores have, particularly songs like I'll Never Fall In Love Again and This Guy's In Love With You make you just want to crawl into them and wrap them around you like a blanket.

This is cozy, comforting music.

Burt Bacharach exploded into the world of pop music sometime in the mid-60s, and his influence continues to be felt to this day. If you want to know why, THIS is the first album you need to buy. Not only is it a piece of history, it is one of the most perfect pop albums ever made. Non-stop infectious melodies, intricate and dazzling orchestrations, peppery and unique lyrics, courtesy of Hal David -- everything you could ever want -- and more -- is here for the taking. One classic tune after the other -- songs that, once created, take on a life of their own, with lyric and music fused forever more. Though Dionne Warwick and others have interpreted Burt's wildly creative music to great success, for my money, it is Burt's own distinctively broken vocals and dead-on arrangements that really SING. What a wonderful surprise to find this on CD -- everyone should run out and get a copy NOW. You will not regret it.

I once heard some snide reviewer on NPR declare Burt Bacharach's music as "cheezy", and my heart broke. This is the music I grew up with, and as a toddler I learned to pull up on our big hi-fi cabinet with THIS album playing on the turntable. I find it sad Burt's music is being marginalized as dated by supposedly learned critics...to my mind, there is a logical progression from Bacharach to many talented pop writers of the 70's and 80's. It certainly shaped my musical ear, and if you want to form a mental picture of Adult America in the late sixties and early seventies, I can think of no better musical choice than Sinatra's September Song, anything by Herb Albert, and Bacharach's "Make It Easy On Yourself".

It was--and is--sophisticated, complicated fare, with hooky, gorgeous melodies, ghostly strings and brass, the quirky trademark time-changes that keep you on your toes, and Hal David's wonderful, compassionate lyrics. Every track stands out, and for me, at least, is drenched in memories. And despite the unfashionably "cheesey" arrangement, "This Guy's In Love With You" (with Herb Albert's understated brass accompaniment) remains one of the most beautiful love songs of all time.

This is one of those great albums that Bacharach recorded at A&M. Make It Easy on Yourself is superb, and might just be my favorite. Perhaps what one will find most rewarding about this album is that relatively unknown compositions such as Pacific Coast Highway, She's Gone Away, Knowing When to Leave, Whoever You Are (I Love You), and Wanting Things, are unspeakably beautiful --that's all I can say... Lots of people seem to think they know Bacharach because they know Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, or I'll Never Fall In Love Again, for instance --but this album gives everyone a chance to find out what Bacharach is all about. It is clear enough that Bacharach's music should never have been labeled (by some) as "easy listening." But what this album does is show that his music (understood to include his arrangements) often is not easy to listen to either. It is too beautiful --and often too sad-- for that.

I never thought I would find this wonderful piece of work on CD. My mom played this album over and over until it turned white. I have purchased most of Burt Bacharach's work, but by far this album is the best ever!

Burt Bacharach exploded into the world of pop music sometime in the mid-60s, and his influence continues to be felt to this day. If you want to know why, THIS is the first album you need to buy. Not only is it a piece of history, it is one of the most perfect pop albums ever made. Non-stop infectious melodies, intricate and dazzling orchestrations, peppery and unique lyrics, courtesy of Hal David -- everything you could ever want -- and more -- is here for the taking. One classic tune after the other -- songs that, once created, take on a life of their own, with lyric and music fused forever more. Though Dionne Warwick and others have interpreted Burt's wildly creative music to great success, for my money, it is Burt's own distinctively broken vocals and dead-on arrangements that really SING. What a wonderful surprise to find this on CD -- everyone should run out and get a copy NOW. You will not regret it.

I have always loved Burt Bacharach's music and I've done so for as long as I can remember; from the old compilation vinyl I had as a child to various cds and not to mention this very well produced mini-lp replica sleeve (mlps) version. As far as mlps designs go this ranks among the best that I've ever seen being very well designed and assembled with good quality cardboard and the 24 bit 2006 remastering that was done has made the sound quality on this baby among the best that I've ever heard as well. Also included is a foldout that has the lyrics in both English and Japanese for "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", "Wanting Things" and "Make It Easy On Yourself".

Together with "Reach Out" this album is my favourite Bacharach album and could easily serve as a greatest hits compilation of his works. His music seems to weave a spell on you putting you into a nostalgic dream-like state admiring the beauty of the music and although many performers have adapted and covered his work I've always enjoyed his personal arrangements of his own music the best. I don't think I'll ever get tired of listening to this album.

Great mlps design, obviously great content and excellent remastered sound quality makes this an easy recommendation.

Very, very highly recommended!

When I was a child, radio and records help me stay connected, but I was always on the sideline looking in untill the album Burt Bacharach Make It Easy On Yourself grabbed my attention.

I could relate to the Artist on the cover with dark skin drenched in sun and ocean brine, sitting in shadow contemplating his keyboard. The long hair bangs which could be scooped up between the fingers and pushed to the side of the head were mine.

Whenever I studied the picture I could feel the sea breeze on my face.

I purchased the album early 1970 when I was 10, late winter, Fifth Grade.

I secured a copy from a small record bin at JC Penny's.

I enjoyed listening to the album on repeat play by lifting up the phonograph arm.

I was grab bag of emotions in my Fifth and Sixth Grade year, the books and music I enjoyed were advanced for my age.

Listening to Burt Bacharach Make It Easy On Yourself, taught me dynamics that help me respond to all kinds of situations when I was older.

Track 1.

Dionne's version of Promises, Promises always struck me as possessing a glimmer of hope and excitement what lay around the next corner, it's in the lyrics and melody, after the wonderful, brassy opening on the instrumental, Burt Bacharach's piano comes into play lending this is a piece of music on his own terms.

The Press for the Broadway Musical Promises, Promises went on for many years, it was an album I had been eyeing all through my childhood, I wasn't an expert on the content but there was an underlying tone the stint was a personal triumph.

Make It Easy On Yourself draws on a rich pallete from the Show.

Lending a new lease on life.

Track 2.

The next song on the album, I'll Never Fall In Love Again is definately from a woman's point of view.

Burt Bacharach draws the listener in knowing when to play softly to betray what the woman is feeling or thinking and adding more instruments to gain momentum for her cause.

Track 3.

Knowing When To Leave is the song that made me a lifelong loyal fan of the Composer.

A singular instrument carries the lead vocal and finds its' place alongside the rest of the Orchestra.

I appreciate Hal David's lyrics, as well as Jill O'Hara and Dionne Warwick's version on different albums.

Everytime I hear Knowing When To Leave I feel I'm gaining my wings.

Track 4.

I always get a charge out of the electric organ on Any Day Now. It's a very assertive piece.

The Title suggest this is a song that pulls out all the stops.

Love is fleeting, deal with loss, find an anchor, hold your ground.

It's no fun to be jolted, but what's all this about a Big Love?

Staccato strings prompt sweet release.

Any Day Now has a certain joy for life that can't be contained.

In the school of hard knocks, Survivors live to love another day.

Track 5.

Wanting Things is one the most beautiful songs floating around the stratosphere.

It has a sense of amnesty, shell shock heroes come out of their fox holes and stop fighting long enough to admit they're sorry and obtain some relief.

The ending for Wanting Things is one of the most transcendental moments in Popular Music.

Burt Bacharach's ability to write and score the perfect ending are put to full use on future numbers like I Might Frighten Her Away.

Amazing.

Track 6.

Whoever You Are I love You is a song I've come to associate with Dionne Warwick along with numbers like The Last One To Be Loved, but the opening to the version on Burt Bacharach Make It Easy On Yourself is so powerful and personal, I find it difficult to be in the same room and share it with somebody else.

Whoever You Are I Love You.

A true confession by someone who keeps going over in themselves they have it bad for somebody, expanding and then gently fade away.

Track 7.

Make It Easy On Yourself featuring Burt Bacharach's memorable vocal leaves the listener wondering if bridges can be mended, a real call to arms to join the cause for independance and blend at the same time.

Track 8.

Do You Know The Way To San Jose always spells relief, the joy of living life deliberately, making connections, gaining ground, moving ahead, and a glimmer of success lying on the horizon... Whew!

Track 9.

Is that an Occarina on Pacific Coast Highway?

When I first discovered this little undisclosed gem I always regarded it as a personal theme song of mine, I can see how a child would get a charge out of this track, a real find.

Retains a fresh timber all its' own. Touching.

Besides the rocky cliffs and concrete pillars that bridge the foggy canyons of our Pacific Coast Highway, the song always conjures feelings I have for the tall trees that bend in the Great Northwest rain.

After a storm dies down, the sun comes out, everything is clean and sparkles. The backroads cut through the thicket and seem to stretch on forever.

Burt Bacharach Pacific Coast Highway always help to get my bearings.

Track 10.

She's Gone Away demonstrates what it's like to live with hurt and a underlying tone someone you can't possess could leave at anytime. When certain attachments are drawn there's no chance of departing and make a clean break, only enrich the memory.

The album Make It Easy On Yourself comes full circle with the last song, This Guy's In Love With You.

Track 11.

Enough sensory to stir and awaken the gentle side in me.

Popular album.

I bought Burt Bacharach Make It Easy On Yourself again in 1979, I purchased it on CD a couple decades later, I own the version on my favorite boxset of all time- burt bacharach SOMETHING BIG the complete A&M years... and more! I'll most likely buy a Japanese pressing and it'll be one of the first albums I download on Amazon MP3.

I hope you have a record that's your Signature album.

Look for the new release, Burt Bacharach With The Sydney Orchestra Live @ The Sydney Opera House.

Browsing the Amazon Burt Bacharach store has proven to be more fun than scouring retail record bins.

Edit your post: