The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

I have also heard and read Burt's assertion that Ravel and Debussy influenced him, but my ears have never been able to identify any such influence in his compositions. Can anyone here point to particular instances of this influence in Burt's music?

-Dennis Webb

From today's Wall St. Journal: "He Was the Great Connector". (an excerpt) This op-ed piece describes the life and legacy of American composer Henry Cowell (1897-1965), who influenced many other 20th century American composers, both classical and pop. One of Cowell's students was John Duffy...

Here's something to relieve that stale feeling. I've never seen this live performance by Dionne before and I don't know where it comes from; but it is DYNAMITE! "Looking With My Eyes (Seeing With My Heart) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-N1IUXkbto&feature=related Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. -Denn...

Let me add one of my favorite Tony Hatch/Jackie Trent songs, "Lazy Day", which I only discovered just last year, though I've been a fan of theirs since the 60s. It's an unusual piece, but truly merits the adjective "haunting". It's a musical evocation of that sense of timelessnes...

I couldn't help but post this wonderful little gem. I've always loved Joanie Sommers, and this 1965 release is such a perfect embodiment of that 1960's songwriting style that Burt did so much to influence. See what you think.



-Dennis Webb

I just noticed that the Hulu.com website has the old James Bond spoof "Casino Royale" online for streaming (free). Just go to Hulu.com and search for "Casino Royale" or select the "movie" option and browse the several hundred films that they have available.

-Dennis Webb

I recently bought a CD of Jackie Trent's 1965 album, "The Magic of Jackie Trent". It has six or eight Tony Hatch/Jackie Trent compositions on it, but this one stood out. On first hearing, I thought it was a bit unusual, but after another listen or two I had it running in my head for months...

I can't remember whether I already posted this recently. Just in case I didn't here's some more Mireille. Irresistible!



-Dennis Webb

Here's a little trip down memory lane, and not a bad performance:



-Dennis

Thanks for the info. I have a three-disk Dusty Springfield CD set, but unfortunately "I Wish I'd Never Loved You" isn't on it. I'll look at the two-disk UK set you mention, but most of it will probably duplicate what I already have. I've watched for this one song as a download on iTunes, b...

"This Is Where I Came In" was also recorded by Richard Harris later on. It appeared on the last LP that Harris did that contained any Jimmy Webb songs. I think that LP had only four Webb songs on it, of which this was one. The first two albums, "A Tramp Shining" and "The Yar...

Nora Jones has written some of her own songs, if I'm not mistaken, in addition to performing them. Her father is a famous musician & composer as well. Who can tell us his name, without Googling for the answer?

-Dennis Webb

I just downloaded a copy from the iTunes store. It's a neat song, very Bacharach. On the copy I purchased the piano is very, very, very forward. I wish I had copies of some other Bacharach songs (mostly Dionne's) with the piano so far forward, so I could hear it better. Think of "Looking With M...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rS3ou_dt6bc&feature=email http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=35S2Ox0SbCg Faux-Burt and a good job of it. Especially the second item above, "Forever Blue", with an incredible arrangement by Jimmy Webb. Best new (to me) pop song I've heard in about 10 years. Wond...

Thanks eversomuch for posting this YouTube link. What a dynamite arrangement, similar to Jackie DeShannon's but even better by virtue of all the additional instruments. As you say, Phil Specter-like, but it has more clarity than his productions could get, as they've got a bigger studio and better en...