The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

I see from Serene Dominick's book that this special originally aired November '72, not 1973. Vicki Carr was known for crying when singing ballads, especially when performing her big hit 'It Must Be him', and it's very obvious that she's on the verge of tears at the end of this medley.

This video excerpt is taken from a 1973 Bacharach tv special and features Vicki Carr doing a beautifully arranged medley of Make it Easy on Yourself and Knowing when to Leave. Mightilty impressive I hope you all agree.

For me 'On My Own' is by far and away the strongest track because of the paired down arrangement and subtle vocal. It turns what I've always regarded as a structurally awkward song into an intimate masterpiece. Compare it to the version of 'Don't Make Me Over' on the album with its over-the-top Bost...

Yes, Knowing When to Leave is a great song which Dusty obviously loved - she sang it on at least three different tv shows during the late 60s/early 70s - but seemed to have difficulty with. Notice how she comes in too early for the chorus and then stumbles on the lyrics. Makes it all the more a pity...

He may not be one of my favorite singers but at least London stage star Michael Ball has had the good taste to record an album of Bacharach songs. Amongst some of the more unusual choices are 'Arthur's Theme', 'This House is Empty Now' and two songs not often sung by males, 'One less Bell to Answer'...

Disappointed to see that London is not included on the schedule. In fact it's now over 5 years since he played here. Was it something we said, Burt?

You'll find it on Will Young's 'From Now On' album. The lyrics were by former Brit pop starlet Cathy Dennis. Apparently BB wasn't happy with the song's arrangement on the Young album. Pity he didn't include a version of it on 'At This Time' because the song definitely has potential, although I suppo...

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here is the fact that Tony Hatch recorded a Bacharach tribute album in 1971, entitled 'What the World Needs Now' - The Songs of Bacharach and David'. Arranged and produced by Hatch, it featured orchestral versions of 12 B&D standards. As far as I'm aware it h...

I personally find her version sluggish. I don't think BB arranged it either. By the late 60s, he often let others arrange one or two tracks on Dionne's albums and the results were nearly always uninspiring.

The other English songwriter heavily influenced by Bacharach in the 60s was Chris Andrews. Watch these clips of Sandie Shaw singing his 'Girl Don't Come', a UK top 10 hit in 1964.

From the BBC's Rolf Harris Show in 1971. She stumbles on the lyrics towards the end but otherwise a nice version, I hope you all agree. If we were all to compile a list of Bacharach songs that should have been hits, or that at least deserve to be much better known, I should imagine this one would be...

The Rodgers song Peggy Lee recorded and BB got confused about was of course 'Lover'. Her version was way too frantic for Mr. Rodgers' liking.

From a BB 1971 TV special. I hope you all agree with me that this is magical.

The New Christie Minstrels' version of Three Wheels on my Wagon was a big radio hit here in the UK in the mid-60s, especially on kiddies request shows. One thing that was never mentioned though was the fact that it was a Bacharach tune. Whenever I tell a tell musical friend or associate that Bachara...

If any more proof was needed that we're living in the age of philistinism then this ludicrous poll supplies it. I wonder how truly great songwriters like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin would have fared in this list if they were still alive - languishing about 30 places behind the likes of Bono, Sting...