Customer Reviews

Tribute to Burt Bacharach & Hal David

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This live album recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in London gathers a large group of performers to celebrate the amazing Bacharach and David catalog. With the mix of artists, the results vary wildly, but when it's good, it's very good. High points include the incomparable Irish singer Brian Kennedy, who creates an absolutely shimmering version of "Reach Out For Me;" soul singer Paul Carrack, bourbon smooth on "This Guy's in Love With You;" and Petula Clark, who lends a distinct theatricality to three cuts here. Those three artists do outstanding work, making the cuts sound like their own rather than trying to copy the original vocals.

Some of the other tracks just lie there, including two by Brian Conley (he sounds like a third-rate Tom Jones) and Kenny Lynch, who just can't swing on "Wives and Lovers." Even Dionne Warwick, who gets three cuts here, doesn't seem to be in particularly good voice. The overall result is uneven -- there are better Bacharach compilations out there -- but this disc does have its moments.

I was lucky enough to attend this historic concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London and it was an amazing night of music I will never forget. This was an very interesting variety of mainly British artists who performed these Bacharach/David songs with style and enthusiasm. The standout performances were Petula Clark (wish she would have recorded even more Bacharach/David songs on her albums), Elvis Costello, Dionne Warwick (what Bacharach/David tribute is complete without her), Paul Carrack, and Brian Conley (a big West End and UK TV star), and Brian Kennedy (discovered by Van Morrison and the vocalist for Riverdance on Broadway). A must for fans of Bacharach/David songs.

This live London, Royal Albert Hall, June 2000 concert tribute recording is not the conventional type. It is comprised mostly of Brits performing uncharacteristcally various Bacharach-David selections. Petula Clark, Dionne Warwick, and Burt Bacharach himself are the anchor for the program. Elvis Costello gives a sensitive take on " I Just Don't No What To Do With Myself" that underated song of heartbreak after a break up. Irish singer Brian Kennedy does a good low key job on the supportive ballad "Reach Out For Me" As much as Yazz tries she can't match Dionne Warwick with "Do You Know The Way to San Jose" a few tracks down the disc. A couple of the interpretors weren't even born when Burt was in his hay day. This kind of makes it interesting for the overall rating of this CD. British TV star Brian Conley does a luke-warm version(when compared to Tom Jones)on "Whats New Pussycat?". He fares better on "24 Hours to Tulsa"! When your not totally familiar with the performers on such an album of American Pop classics; the whole can be compared to just nicely done karaoke. The anonymous recording is first rate. Minimal audience noise. Some brief but helpful notes on the performers are included.

From the historic concert at Royal Albert Hall, London, on June 29, 2000.

Track Listings:

This Guy's in Love With You - Paul Carrack (4:01)
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head [From Butch Cassidy and The Sundance - Sacha
Distel (3:07)

A House Is Not a Home - Petula Clark (4:29)
Wishin' and Hopin' - Petula Clark (3:28)
(They Long to Be) Close to You - Petula Clark (3:48)
Don't Make Me Over (Lyrics) - (3:49)
Alfie [From Alfie] - Sumudu (2:50)
What's New Pussycat? - Brian Conley (1:40)
24 Hours from Tulsa - Brian Conley (2:55)
I Just Have to Breathe - Teish O'Day (3:46)
Wives and Lovers - Kenny Lynch (2:56)
Do You Know the Way to San Jose? - Yazz (3:09)
Make It Easy on Yourself - Edwin Starr (3:25)
One Less Bell to Answer - Lucie Silvas (3:41)
The Look of Love - Linda Lewis (3:52)
Reach Out for Me - Brian Kennedy (3:05)
I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself (Lyrics) - Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach (2:53)

Walk on By (Lyrics) - Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach (1:53)
Say a Little Prayer - Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach (2:32)
Do You Know the Way to San Jose? - Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach (2:57)
Anyone Who Had a Heart (Lyrics) - Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach (3:56)
What the World Needs Now Is Love (Lyrics) - (5:06)