The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

Before he became famous for producing the Beatles, I was first aware of George Martin as the producer of some wonderful comedy records in the late 50s and early 60s by the likes of Peter Sellers and Bernard Cribbins. His connection to Bacharach, of course, was with the two classic Cilla Black recordings of 'Anyone Who Had a Heart' and 'Alfie. In fact, my favourite recording of 'Alfie' isn't by Cilla, Dionne or Bacharach but by George Martin himself, a beautiful, lushly orchestrated instrumental from his 1967 album 'By George', sadly, not available on YouTube for me to post here.

Terribly sad news.
Sir George Martin a true Gentleman and a wonderful Record Producer R.I.P.

"blue"

Yes, definitely of the old school of record company staff producers (EMI Parlophone). He produced countless artists over the years from every genre of music including Jimmy Webb and the album 'El Mirage' which he also arranged and orchestrated and which included cracking versions of 'The Highwayman', 'The Moon's a Harsh Mistress' and 'Mixed-up Guy'.

I heard the news today, oh boy.

Very sad, indeed.

An Enormous BB Fan wrote:I heard the news today, oh boy.

Very sad, indeed.

.......Four Thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire.

(Just next door to where I live)

"blue"

George Martin's best known composition, Theme One:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVpvrDeVg8

There's a very warm and generous tribute to George Martin from Jimmy Webb which has just been posted on the forum of his website. Here's Jimmy Webb and 'Mixed-Up Guy', produced and arranged by George Martin:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MyKEnW7SYB8

Here's Jimmy's tribute to P.F.Sloan....who sadly died last November.
Produced by Sir George Martin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiWg6onhVvU

'blue'

Just to show that I haven`t turned tail and abdicated my role as Turd in the Punchbowl, I have to say that El Mirage was a let down from start to finish. The re-makes were unnecessary and the few new songs uninspired. Martin`s arrangements were - at best - pedestrian and the whole production over-polished. I understand that JW was star-struck and have no doubt that Martin as a person was as described, but the collaboration was a musical bore.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion.....I quite liked it.

'blue'