The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

Hi Blue, It’s all about the harps………3 of them in fact! I should say that ‘Freefall’ is my favourite of all Burt’s compositions. It still beguiles me to this day whenever I hear it, which is why I’m so keen to talk about it. I posed this very question on the forum way back in Jan 2008. Then in Feb 20...

Burt has just finished touring Australia and New Zealand with his band - his final show was in Auckland last night. By all accounts the tour was a huge success. I managed to see his Melbourne and Sydney shows and they were just great. It helped that I had very good seats at both. The set list was pr...

You're welcome Vincent!

Certainly I hope to head along to one of Burt's shows while he's here.

I need to try and close in on your record for attendance!

Martyn

[quote="bonkersforburt"]Sorry...Martyni[/quote]

No worries - glad you enjoyed it!

Hi all, This morning (Thu 24 Sep) Burt spoke with Australian journalist and TV host Virginia Trioli (who is clearly a fan) ahead of his forthcoming tour Down Under in November. I hope this link works regardless of location. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-24/burt-bacharach-speaks-with-abc-news-br...

Thanks Nicko for posting the link!

A great show. Yes, at 87 he's still pulling appreciative crowds of all ages.

I'm sure a lot of them were saying about some of the songs, "Oh, I never realised he wrote that one........!"

Martyn

I believe the venue is the Greek Theater in LA.

Martyn

This is a gem! Thanks blueonblue for posting it! I think the backing singer far right is Marilyn Jackson, who was Burt's vocal director for many years and, I'm told, was part of the backing vocals team on most of his solo albums. I don't recognise the other singers though - perhaps someone else migh...

Further to my above reply, I've just realised that the listing in the link probably refers to Burt's instrumental version of 'Promises Promises'. But Gary Chester is probably the most likely drummer on Dionne's recording as well.

Someone else might know for sure.

Martyn

Hi jimrod,

Based on the info available via the link below, Gary Chester was the drummer on that recording. He was Burt's session drummer of choice in NYC for his own studio recordings and those of Dionne's.

http://www.angelfire.com/music5/garychester/disc.html

Hope this helps.

Martyn

I'm not sure why background singer lists were not issued on Dionne's 60s albums. I've wondered about this in regard to Burt's 60s and early 70s solo albums. Especially when, on later albums all musicians were given credit. Was the earlier absence because of a lack of space available to list all of t...

Hi, The double-disc edition has the following three tracks, not available on the single-disc: 1. For the Children - an instrumental by Burt. Runs for appr 11 mins. 2. Fallin' Out of Love - written by Burt, Jerry Leiber and Jed Leiber. Vocals by Donna Taylor. 3. Who'll Speak for Love - written by Bur...

Sad news that spells, stylistically at least, probably the end of a songwriting era.

But he leaves a wonderful legacy of evergreen standards that will continue to be enjoyed by countless millions, including those not yet born.

RIP Hal, and thank you.

Martyn

I have a feeling that when Steven Sater spoke about Burt conducting his first symphony in Sydney, he meant that Burt was conducting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the first time. That was in July 2007. 'For the Children' was first performed in Australia when Burt returned in February 2008. Regard...

Yes, I like Dionne's version and Burt's isn't bad either.

But the first version I heard and the one that remains my favourite is by Sergio Mendes and Brazil '77.

Somehow, it just seems to groove along effortlessly.



Martyn