Great early Burt - With Open Arms

[pljms]

A typically beguiling Bacharach melody and chord sequence. A US Top 40 hit for Jane Morgan in 1959 which is always overlooked when record companies compile Bacharach hits or rarities.

[Sara D]

Yes, a hit and a rarity at the same time! I bought a 45 of this purely on the names in parenthesis in a specialist second-hand record shop many moons ago, probably in the 80s, and as soon as I played it I recognized it, although it was never a chart success in the UK. Apologies for being a muso, but the real hook of the song is the second line of the verse with the chord sequence F major, A minor, Eflat major, F major. If it's ear-catching now, imagine how it must have sounded in 1959?

[steveo_1965]

I kind of like Rain From The Skies and Hotspell...as well..haven't heard some of the others...such as the one you mentioned. I'll click the link
and take a listen.

[pljms]

Since posting the link here to Youtube, I've bothered to re-learn to play With Open Arms on my keyboard. It's very rewarding to play and I think it's a shame that the terribly outdated lyrics are always going to prevent this song from being better known. I think the most crucial factor in what made Bacharach so unique, even as early as 1959, was his strikingly original harmonic sense. I think With Open Arms is the best early example of a chord sequence of his not going where you expect it to. Another one is Don't Make Me Over which when played in C goes from C Major to E minor and just when every musical instinct you have is expecting the next chord to be F major it somehow plummets down to B minor. The effect is still magical, even after 46 years!

[steveo_1965]

Exactly, pljms!

[JR]

Even though I was only ten years old in 1959, I knew there was something unique about the song and the singer, but I never made the connection until now. Thank You. Among the list of Bacharach's trademarks, I always got a strong sense of motion through his writing, the sound of mid-twentieth century America on the move. In With Open Arms, it was the sense of the fishing boats plying through the inlet. In the bridge of San Jose and in the intro of Say A Little Prayer it was the sense of the traffic flowing down the busy southern California freeway. Someone once said the rythmic sound of the V8 engine influenced Brian Wilson. I wonder.

[Sara D]

Nice post, JR. Yes, his music has always sounded very 'American' to these English ears.

[pljms]

The only other recording of With Open Arms was by Adam Faith in 1960 and was the b-side of his hit single How About That. Adam Faith was never a great singer and the most interesting thing about this version is John Barry's arrangement, pizzicatto strings and all. Because it goes to the bridge only once, this runs in at only 1:38, so don't blink.

[Sara D]

Adam Faith was just a pretty boy who's voice could turn milk at 50 paces. His British hit version of Message to Martha is marginally better. Later he wisely gave up on his singing career to concentrate on management and acting.

[rasputin]

I've always loved Jane Morgan's version of this song.



I remember, when I was first discovering the oeuvre of Burt in the early 80's, I went into a beat-up old used record store.


Amongst the 45's, I found "With Open Arms" by Jane Morgan.... It said at the bottom (Bacharach--Hilliard).

Boy, was I elated... I couldn't wait to get home and hear yet another fantastic addition to my Bachareducation... At first, I thought maybe the male chorus's refrain of "A-plink, a-chunk" was maybe a little cheezy, but, after awhile, it grew on me. Now, of course, it's unthinkable without that funny little addition that Burt threw in there.

This kind of record, IMHO, is where Burt absolutely shines: it's just a perfect little American pop record... yet so many little touches separate it from what other pop records were doing at the time.

I must admit: I like the Adam Faith versions of Burt's tunes... A little harsh, calling him just a "pretty boy", no?

[steveo_1965]

Rasputin,
I agree that Adam Faith has been harshly judged at times..
nothing wrong with "Rain From The Skies...another Burt tune, sung by Adam!

Steveo

[rasputin]

i do know that Adam Faith is thought highly of amongst pop/rock lovers "of a certain age" in Britain.... He being, like Cliff Richard, one of the figures instrunental in bringing "The American Sound" to the UK.

I like his version of "Country Music Holiday" as well!

[steveo_1965]

yes, Rasputin,
There were a couple of video clips of Adam messing about, with commentary by his manager, etc. (kind of short documentary). Sadly, I understand he's no longer with us.