A House Is Not A Homepage: The Music of Burt Bacharach

Tina sent me this a while ago, but I finally got around to formatting and posting Burt’s updated Official Press Bio.

Burt Bacharach turns 80 today.

Burt has added a concert in Denver in September to his upcoming performance schedule. For the complete list of upcoming Bacharach performances, visit the On Tour page.

I posted links to a few recent articles and a video interview with Burt in conjunction with his current tour of Australia. You can access those via the Media page.

Also, Bacharach fans might be interested in checking out Just A Little Lovin’, the latest CD from American country music songwriter and vocalist Shelby Lynn. Just A Little Lovin’ is a tribute to Dusty Springfield and includes Lynn’s versions of two Bacharach songs recorded by Springfield, “The Look of Love” and “Anyone Who Had A Heart.”

January 29, 2008
At a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, today, Burt Bacharach announced that he’s written a new orchestral composition for the Sydney Symphony inspired by his tour of Australia last summer. “For the Children” will have its Australian premiere this Thursday night during Bacharach’s performance with the symphony at the Sydney Opera House. In addition, plans are in place to record Bacharach’s two performances with the symphony this week for a new CD to be released later in 2008, Burt Bacharach Live at the Sydney Opera House.

Burt’s tour of Australia and Japan–which he began a few days early in order to catch the men’s final of the Australian Open–coincides with this year’s Grammy Awards, at which Burt is scheduled to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In Burt’s absence, the award will be accepted by his children, Cristopher, Oliver and Raleigh.

Happy New Year! I’ll begin with my obligatory apology about the lack of updates. Hopefully, you’re all visiting the Bacharach forum to get the latest news supplied by fans all over the world. I want to begin by mentioning two recent collections of Bacharach songs that fans might want to check out.

In October, the British musical theater star Michael Ball released Back To Bacharach, a collection of 12 Bacharach compositions including “The Look of Love,” “Alfie,” “One Less Bell To Answer,” “This House Is Empty Now,” and “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” For more info about Michael and the new CD, check out the official Michael Ball Website.

Also, in December, the Dutch vocalist Trijntje Oosterhuis released her second collection of Bacharach songs, Who’ll Speak For Love. The CD features Bacharach himself on piano on three tracks. It’s an outstanding record. (If the sticker price on Amazon’s import version is too steep, you can purchase the entire album as an MP3 download for just $9.49)

If that weren’t enough good news, the Aspen Times reports that Burt is collaborating on a new batch of songs with Elvis Costello, most likely to be recorded by Costello’s wife, the jazz singer Diana Krall. Great news indeed.

And, finally, Burt has added two additional dates to his 2008 performance schedule, Oct. 2 in Rama, Ontario, and Oct. 3. in Montreal. For complete details, visit the Bacharach On Tour page.

Superfan Vincent Cole recently sent in photos from his most recent Bacharach concert, Oct. 26-27, 2007, at the Mohegan Sun Cabaret in Uncasville, Conn. Thanks, Vincent!

Has it really been three months since my last update? Apologies as usual, but I’ve been swamped.

Tina with Linda Dozoretz Communications just sent me the latest updates to Burt’s touring itinerary, which includes new shows in Hawaii, Australia and Japan. Great news for Burt’s many fans in Japan. You can access the entire list on the On Tour page.

Also, I noticed that Rhino plans to reissue Dionne Warwick’s 2004 CD My Favorite Time of the Year, her first collection of Christmas music.

I just received two new concert dates for 2007:

9/15/07 Richmond, British Columbia, River Rock Casino Resort
12/27/07 Aspen, Colo., Wheeler Opera House

Visit the On Tour page for Burt’s complete tour schedule for 2007.

Burt’s latest recordings, included on the 180 Music release New Music From An Old Friend, can now be purchased online direct from Target.