I just received the new CD reissue of Burt Bacharach Plays His Hits (MCA) and it’s tremendous! The CD includes four songs that were not on the U.S. LP of that name: “The Last One to be Loved,” “A House Is Not A Home,” “Saturday Sunshine,” and “And So Goodbye, My Love.” The 15-track CD’s running time is about 41 minutes, and it includes an 11-page booklet with excellent biographical material on Burt as well as a few nice photos from the ’60s. It also helped clarify for me the (confusing) relationship between three very similar Kapp records: Hit Maker (May 1965), The Man! Burt Bacharach-His Songs (Oct. 1965) and Burt Bacharach Plays His Hits (Jan. 1969). Which may point to an anachronism in “Austin Powers,” but we won’t worry about that.

Scott Bassin wrote to let me know that on November 18, Reprise Records is scheduled to release “Live on Letterman: Music from the Late Show.” The compilation of live performances from David Letterman’s “Late Show” includes the incredible rendition of “God Give Me Strength” performed by Burt and Elvis Costello for the show. Keep your eyes peeled.