Search - Burt Bacharach :: Reach Out

Rediscovering a gem

P. McKenna | Atlanta GA | 09/16/2004

(5 out of 5 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!"

"What The World Needs Now. . ."

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 01/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""... is love, sweet love,

It's the only thing that there's just too little of

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

No, not just for some but for everyone"



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

"

What the World Needs Still

Gregor von Kallahann | 02/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."