Customer Reviews

Reach Out

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anyone who loves the sound of Burt Bachrach can't go wrong here....I have had this album since the 70's, on vinyl, played the grooves out and now am buying the CD. If you, like I, believe that nobody sings a song like the artist who wrote it, you'll reaffirm your beliefs listening to the heartfelt "A House is Not A Home". Dusty Springfield sang "The Look of Love", but Bachrach wrote it. "Promises, Promises" is great. The whole album is the BEST!!! FIVE STARS!!

The last I ever remember hearing this was at the age of 8 and my folks had bought it new on vynil (circa 1968). This album somehow oddly captivated me with its rich detailed orchestrations, heartfelt melodies and varied tonal colors. Years later, I've rediscovered it and it still not only holds up for me but sounds even better than I remembered it.

My favorite cuts are the rollicking "Bond Street", the plaintive "Alfie", the pondering "Lisa", and although 'ol Burt will NEVER go down in history as a singer, I can't help but like his raw, honest pained vocal on "A House Is Not A Home". Actually, I can't think of a track on here I don't like. "The Look of Love" is another stunning track with its rousing brass! As another reviewer mentioned and I agree with, I'd have loved to know who played on these recordings, the musicianship is nothing short of top-flight!

What seals it for me is the fact that without out-front vocals, Burt's music really comes to life and speaks for itself. Classic stuff!

You people are the best! I have been in love with this album every since I pilfered it out of my parents' collection. With no bothersome voices to muddy the wonderful music, this album was always my favorite of his.

This is what I call great necking-in-front-of-the-fireplace music.

Thanks for having it on CD. It simply cannot be found anywhere else.

Let's face the reality, folks: no one does music like BURT BACHARACH. His style is unique, as you can comprove by listening to this album. Songs like The Look Of Love, Reach Out For Me and Are You There With Another Girl have great renditions here. And what a beauty almost hidden gem is Lisa! I've been a fan of BURT BACAHRACH since my childhood and I can tell you: HE;S THE BEST and REACH OUT is one of his FINEST ALBUMS.

Standing in front of his limousine on the Pier around midnight after doing an outdoor show, I had the nerve to ask Burt Bacharach if one of my albums was a bootleg.

He just sighed, and said, "I've seen it all".

No doubt, he knows how a record is made and distributed.

It's just that I always had a driving ambition to buy and own all his official releases. I was testing the waters because the album in question had a cut by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir!

I wonder what kind of arrangements were involved for that particular recording.

These days I'm not so worried about licensing. I've managed to lay my vinyl to rest.

In the big push to buy everything he released, I asked him a couple years before, "Little Anthony. Hurt So Bad. It's the only time I've heard a song that comes close to your fire, did you have anything to do with that number"?

Burt Bacharach froze, almost appearing to look behind his shoulder, I could hear him quietly counting back the years when the song first came out.

Burt Bacharach pulled out of his tight stance, relaxed, and said, "No, I didn't have anything do with that one, but I really like it, I think it's a good song".

I didn't bring it up at the time, but I owned a version he had done with Dionne Warwick around the time she added an "E" to her last name.

His friendly reply helped me a lot, he gets excited about good music too.

It must be nice to be a pop star and appreciate everybody's place in the mainstream of things.

Burt Bacharach had the good fortune of linking up with Marlene Dietrich early in his career and be invited to tour the European circuit with her, which led to a whole tour of the World.

Marlene Dietrich. A woman imbued with a strong, gentle heart.

Opposed to all forms of war, like our hero, Burt Bacharach.

Memories of being chauffered to brimming halls every night with guests dressed in their finest evening clothes.

Darling Marlene, one of the World's most well loved living legends openly displaying genuine feelings for her Conductor's material.

A fan, just like you and me. How nice.

Hits by the Shirelles on the Scepter label ensue prompting a new vital sound for the early 60's.

Dionne Warwick proves to hold a steady spot on the charts.

Burt Bacharach moves to England and scores a number of movies that are a huge success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Burt Bacharach looks back fondly to these times.

I can only begin to imagine the sensations he experienced.

Nice poses rehearsing numbers in quaint London flats with ambitious young artist and famous producers.

Most prominent, would be what it felt like to pack his bags and chose to move back home stateside.

After living on the East Coast most his life it'd be a big turnaround to move to Hollywood, take part raising a family and drive along the warm beaches to work everyday.

Burt Bacharach is supposed to have continued doing most his recordings on the East Coast.

Did he always take a plane, or was he accustom with the drive cross country.

I sense an artist who has command of an audience from every corner.

Heart of the homeland in his pocket.

It's all on his first album with A&M. Burt Bacharach Reach Out.

Combines California's relaxed attitude with New York's top brass, as well as the spirit of the South.

11 Tracks, composed, conducted, arranged, produced, with piano, organ and lead vocal by our headline artist.

I can't begin to tell you the album's huge contribution to Pop Culture.

Here's my spin.

During the early 60's, artist like Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Dionne Warwick did alot to engage a mainstream audience.

DJ's are to be commended for getting all this good music out.

Owners of fancy retail stores were less inclined to jump on board.

Their record department consisted of mainly elite Broadway Musicals popular with eccentrics.

It was criminal in the early to late 60's to not stock more R&B based Pop records.

Burt Bacharach Reach Out floods the Market in '67 and it's an instant hit.

Stuffy store owner's stock Burt Bacharach Reach Out for many years, giving stale record racks a fresh new look.

A number of the songs draw massive airplay. Registers with Honky Tonks and Juke Joints too.

It's a love letter.

Touches on unconditional love and fulfillment. Reach Out For Me, What The World Needs Now is Love.

Loss. Alfie, A House Is Not A Home.

Desire. Are You There With Another Girl, The Look Of Love.

Hope. I say A Little Prayer, Windows Of The World, Message To Michael.

Wonderment. Lisa.

Fun & Mirth. Bond Street. You know the rest.

World enraptured.

It's all there, waiting for you at the click of a button.

Burt Bacharach's collaboration with one of the best contemporary lyricists in the music world, Hal David, is one of the greatest things that ever happened in musical history. Their partnership was so fruitful and they were the most prolific pair of songwriters back then. Together, they have produced numerous pop hits in the Billboard and garnered almost all of the major songwriting awards.

This CD is a perfect representation of how great Burt Bacharach is in composing, arranging and conducting an orchestra. He has also played piano on all the eleven tracks. This is a showcase of some of his most beautiful compositions such as "What The World Needs Now Is Love," "A House Is Not A Home," "I Say A Little Prayer," "The Windows of The World," "Alfie" and the very charming "The Look of Love."

On Liner Notes, Derek Taylor wrote:

"If violins and cellos, harpsichord and piano, trumpets, flutes, and sounds of rippling scales have never lightened your spirit;

If your heart has not leapt nor your senses quivered as the conductor's baton taps the music stand;

If Alfie did not become so much a name, more a lonely island of song in a sea of human sadness;

If you believe that the essence of a man and his music can adequately be caught and conveyed within an album liner note;

Then it is likely that the entrapment of music between these covers is not for you, and though it is sad, you should walk on by."

What so moved, affected me and brought tears to my eyes is Burt Bacharach singing his heart out in the most poignant song of all-time "A House Is Not A Home," with lyrics penned by his long-time collaborator, Hal David.

A chair is still a chair
Even when there's no one sitting there
But a chair is not a house
And a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight
And no one there you can kiss "Goodnight"

A room is still a room
Even when there's nothing there but gloom
But a room is not a house
And a house is not a home
When the two of us are far apart
And one of us has a broken heart

Now and then I call your name
And suddenly your face appears
But it's just a crazy game
When it ends it ends in tears
Honey, have a heart
Don't let one mistake keep us apart

I'm not meant to live alone
Turn this house into a home
When I climb the stair and turn the key...
Oh, please be there still in love with me!

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 very good although a little compressed but thankfully not overly so as well. Also included is a foldout that has the lyrics in both English and Japanese for "Reach Out For Me", "What The World Needs Now Is Love", "A House Is Not A Home" and "Lisa".

After "Make It Easy On Yourself" this album is my favourite Bacharach album and could easily serve as a greatest hits compilation of his works. Together with "Burt Bacharach" to round up the trilogy this three album span for me represents his best studio albums and certainly my favourites. 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 that trilogy of albums.

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

Very highly recommended!

I certainly take Burt Bacharach and his music seriously, but I have to admit to having this thing where I seem to only be able to pronounce his name the way Marlene Dietrich did when she'd introduce him in concert. BUUUURT BAAACKRAACK!!! I think I picked it up from a friend who--oddly enough--was neither a Burt OR a Marlene fan. And that jokey pronunciation has stayed in my head for decades now.

However you intone his name, there's no denying his significance as a musical force in the 60s (especially) and 70s. Along with lyricist Hal David, he changed the face of the pop (as opposed to rock)music of the era. The songwriters' pairing with the Dionne Warwick(e) was so perfect a match that you almost had to believe there was a God (of music anyway).

And Bacharach was instrumental in helping to shape the careers of several other singers as well: Dusty Springfield; Jackie DeShannon; Luther Vandross; BJ. Thomas; even Aretha would put her distinctive stamp on a few Bacharach-David numbers.

I don't recall Bacharach being anything but mildly self-deprecating about his own vocals. But like many an excellent songwriter, he definitely did not have much in the way of vocal chops himself. His few recorded vocals are awkward at best, and for this '67 recording, he wisely refrained from doing much singing at all. He does manage to bluff his way through "A House Is Not A Home." One vocal is probably just enough. Most of the tracks are instrumental and if the arrangements were just a tad more subdued, no one could fault you for thinking they might originally have been backing tracks for Dionne or Dusty, minus the lead vocal.

You even get background vocals on the title track and a few others. Significantly, though, you never feel the absence of a lead vocal to be any kind of loss here. In fact, you're more likely to hear the songs in a new light without the elegant vocals of Warwick or Springfield--and certainly without the elegant lyrics of Hal David. If you know the songs (and if you're of a certain age, you almost certainly do), the missing vocals will be something of a ghostly presence, but the instrumental arrangements have a certain purity. You get to know Bacharach as Bacharach a bit better. And it's well worth making his acquaintance.

My parents bought this album which I sat down to listen to one day and I immediately fell in love with it. Although it wasn't really rock and roll or soul, it had its own pristine pop amalgam that was brilliantly arranged, played, and produced. One of my favorite albums of all time has been on CD since 1995 (low-priced!)with what sounds to my ears like a wonderful remastering job that brings out all the vibrancy of the original recording. Yes, this is the first CD anyone should buy to listen to the stupendous talent of Burt Bacharach in its full glory. Every track is delectable stereo ear-candy, a bouncy, breezy, cool piece of the Sixties. As others have noticed, some of this music was from movies, like the rollicking 'Bond Street,' and 'The Look of Love' which gives glorious spotlight to the brass section of the studio musicians. I wish there were liner notes about these musicians, who they were, when the sessions took place, etc. They had a master composer, arranger, and producer, that whipped-up with them one of the sweetest, spiciest, and flavorful albums of all time. I only wish 'Casino Royale' had been on this album to take it beyond just great.

this stuff is not elevator music, if it was, people would be taking a pretty depressing ride down to the first floor. and those tracks that do not sadden, really swing! also from a historical point of view, one can see from this record how the "pop establishment" at the time was influenced by the psychedelic era.