A Tribute to Burt Bacharach & Hal David (2002)

Great software, ineffectual hardware and production

There is no denying that the catalog of Bacharach and David retains an enviable position in the history of pop music. That being said, this particular 'tribute' performance was actually a fund raiser and is incredibly uneven, legends interspiced with what can best be described as amateur night. Some of the renditions are borderline painful both musically and stylistically. The nadir would have to be the singer introduced as a medical student by day and singing star by night. With all due respect, some of the obviously local British talent would have difficulty making the first cut on 'Idol'.

The overall production must have been on a very frugal budget, judging by the generic arrangements, orchestration, limited camera angles and archaic audio. Corded microphones in 2000? Audio mixing often permitted back-up singers to overwhelm Dionne Warwick and Petula Clark. Luckily, these two ladies provide the only high points in the tribute. While their voices have aged, they work within their respective ranges.

Worst yet, no individual performance or speech from either honoree, only an overlong, seemingly endless ensemble conclusion punctuated by a director trying to be creative with what appears to be three cameras.

The Emcee was a fellow named Johnny Walker. I should have downed a few of his namesake before buying this DVD.


April 21, 2007

me encanto, !!!!!

BURT BACHARACH ES UN CLASICO, EL CONCIERTO TRIBUTO A EL ESTA MAGNIFICO, ..............NO HAY PALABRAS..................ME ENCANTO January 5, 2007

Nope!

I know Burt Bacharach's music very well, having listened to it and performed it for 40 years. I purchased this DVD based on the headliners, whose past performances I have enjoyed and respected. This is indeed an odd collection. The arrangements used in this concert ignore the subtle [and considerable] craft that Burt puts into his songs and personal arrangements. Strange chord changes, stiff playing by the band, and an overall feeling that the participants weren't up to task. The 1st 1/3rd of the concert features unknown artists whose voices don't match the demands or style of the songs. In many instances, the singers appear unsure of the melody, the lyrics, or the arrangement, as if they didn't prepare for the gig, and/or didn't rehearse with the band. One of the singers forgets 1/2 the lyrics to the second verse of her song.
Unfortunately, the headliners are also a major disapointment. I have tremendous respect for Petula Clark, and have loved her performances thru the years, but her voice at this time in her life couldn't handle the songs assigned to her. Elvis C has a moving and emotion-filled voice, but he was struggling with his range at this concert. Dionne has found it necessary to lower the pitch of her songs in recent years, and even with the revised keys she sang her tunes with smoke and mirrors.
She gave a visually polished performance, but the vocals just weren't there. To the positive, the arrangements Dionne used were probably from her own show, and were considerably better written.
If you are looking for an accurate display of the genius for Bacharach, buy the "One Amazing Night" DVD. It features superior arrangements, much better voice casting, better musicians, and places the focus on Bacharach's talents. June 17, 2006

A Wonderful Evening of Music

I was pleasantly surprised by this concert of Bacharach & David songs. Never mind that many of the singers are unknown in the United States. Great songs were presented superbly, backed by a competent orchestra. The host is a dud, but the music is glorious. Oh that today's teens could appreciate pretty tunes and finely crafted lyrics. February 18, 2006

Just a concert on video

Burt Bacharach was an icon of the 'sixties and early 'seventies. One could hardly turn on the radio without hearing his music. It shows in this DVD. The audience is full of middle-aged fans; much as we might wish to deny it, the very sort of person who would likely buy this DVD. I would say with regret that the Bacharach and David fan would be disappointed.

This isn't a biography of the famous duo. There's no background detail at all. It is a straightfoward recording of a benefit concert given in aid of Nordoff-Collins Music Therapy, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The Master of Ceremonies can make or break such an event; in this case, unfortunately, the MC is a sleeping-draught on two legs. The performers may be well-known in England, but by and large they aren't big names. The performances are competent but forgettable. The exceptions are Petula Clark and Dionne Warwick, the latter accompanied by Bacharach himself.

In short, what we have here is a succession of performers singing classic Bacharach tunes in a concert hall. Unless one really likes looking at Bacharach, buying a CD would be just as good.

For the die-hard fan who still is interested, the following songs are on the DVD:

Close to You (instrumental)
Alfie (instrumental and vocal)
Do You Know the Way to San Jose (three versions: instrumental, vocal by someone called Yazz, and vocal by Dionne Warwick)
Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head (instumental, vocal by one Sacha Distel)
Wives and Lovers (vocal by Kenny Lynch)
One Less Bell to Answer (vocal)
Don't Make Me Over (vocal)
Reach Out for Me (vocal)
You'll Never Get to Heaven (vocal)
This Guy's in Love with You (vocal)
A House is Not a Home (vocal by Petula Clark)
Wishin' and Hopin' (vocal by Petula Clark)
Close to You (vocal by Petula Clark)
Always Something There to Remind Me (vocal by Leo Sayer)
I'll Never Fall in Love Again (vocal)
What's New Pussycat (vocal)
24 Hours from Tulsa (vocal)
I Just Have to Breathe (vocal)
Make it Easy on Yourself (vocal)
The Look of Love (vocal)
I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself (vocal by Elvis Costello, accompanied by Burt Bacharach)
Walk on By (vocal by Dionne Warwick, accompanied by Bacharach)
I Say a Little Prayer (ditto)
Do You Know the Way to San Jose (ditto)
Anyone Who Had a Heart (ditto)
What the World Needs Now is Love (ensemble) October 22, 2005

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