Burt Bacharach

[Slim]

Sad to hear that Burt Bacharach had died, yesterday. Such a prolific songwriter; a prominent part of the cultural fabric of the 20th century.

I thought I'd post a few of his tunes that I'm especially fond of. This one for me was his absolute masterpiece, and Cilla sings out of her skin here. That's Burt tinkling the ivories.

Dionne Warwick was touted for it - she was the singer most associated with Burt's stuff. But the producers of the film wanted an English singer, to tie in with the theme.

[Slim]

Another iconic '60s popstress performed what I think is probably my #2 Burt tune.

[Slim]

[Slim]

The Poundshop Prefabs recorded a version of I'll Never Fall in Love Again in 1990. I never much liked them, but I liked this. Probably not as much as Dionne's version, but this is a bit different.

[captainkurtz]

What lovely tunes and seemingly what a suave and charming gent.  RIP, fella - your tunes will be listened to for generations to come, that's quite the legacy.

[Matt2112]

Yes, a complete master of his craft and as a person always came across as classy as his songs.

Last year it was great for me to see/hear the fruits of a collaboration with Richard Marx in a song (Always) that appeared on Marx's excellent Songwriter album; while of course it won't make an indelible mark on the soundtrack of the times like some of Bacharach's other work, its slow, smooth, after hours jazz-tinged piano chords unmistakably has the great man's fingerprints all over them.

Few tunesmiths will match his iconic work.
 
 

[pxr5]

He made Cilla Black sing Alfie 31 times before he thought it was good enough. 

It was only after they listed his songs yesterday that I realised how much he'd actually written - a brilliant songwriter.

[Nickslikk2112]

He made Cilla Black sing Alfie 31 times before he thought it was good enough.

And it still isn't...

Mind, it helps loosen the wax in my tabs