Last Updated: May 16, 2006
A House Is Not A Homepage is an unofficial site dedicated to the music and career of composer and performer Burt Bacharach. If you're interested in contributing to the site or have any questions or comments, please let me know. And, once again, thanks to the many fans and correspondents around the world who make this site what it is.
November 26, 2004
On
Nov. 5, Hip-O Select Records released
Something Big:
The Complete A&M Years...And More! This deluxe
five-disc box set, available only through the Hip-O Select Web site,
includes 110 songs, comprising all of Burt's A&M albums, his Kapp album
and myriad extras, including for the first time in the U.S. his 1974 LP
In Concert (Live In Japan). The audio quality is vastly superior
to previous reissues of Bacharach solo albums and the book-like packaging—featuring
44 pages of liner notes and track information—is impressive (if somewhat
awkwardly shaped). This limited edition is clearly aimed at serious Bacharach
fans and most, I think, will be pleased.
November 24, 2004
After more than 40 years in show business, Dionne Warwick has finally released a Christmas album. On Oct. 26, DMI Records released My Favorite Time of the Year, Dionne's first ever Christmas disc. The CD features Dionne's vocal stylings on 13 Christmas classics, including "The Christmas Song," "White Christmas," "Have Youself a Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" and more. Special guests include Gladys Knight, BeBe Winans and Dave Koz. My Favorite Time of Year is available from Amazon or through Dionne's official Web site.
October 29, 2004
Hip-O Select has begun taking preorders for its long-awaited Burt Bacharach box set, Something Big: The Complete A&M Years...And More. To be released on Nov. 5 in a limited edition of 5,000, the five-disc set includes the entirety of each of Burt's solo albums for A&M as well as his Kapp recordings and rare and previously unreleased material.
October 27, 2004
I just received Burt's updated concert itinerary, which includes new dates in Maui and Las Vegas. For the complete list, see the Bacharach On Tour page.
September
10, 2004
In
an
interview in today's Denver Post,
Burt reports he's recorded about half of a new instrumental record for
Sony Music UK. Among the tracks recorded are three of Burt's recent collaborations
with Dr. Dre. Burt says he expects the CD to be ready for release in the
fall of 2005.
September 3, 2004
I just got back from San Diego where I saw Burt perform with the San Diego Symphony on Aug. 27. It was a great show and a great night. I posted a brief recap of the evening in the discussion forum and Alvina, who was also in attendance, sent in these photos.
September
2, 2004
Roberto Pinardi, one of this site's first contributors and perhaps the
biggest Bacharach fan in the world, sent me a CD
of photos taken during Burt's July 2004 tour of Italy. I haven't had
a chance to edit the photos so they're LARGE. If you don't have a high
speed connection, you may want to wait until I've had a chance to edit
them.
August 16, 2004
I've posted Davide Bonori's latest update to his definitive Bacharach discography. For additions or corrections to the discography, please contact Davide. For typos and formatting errors, contact me. Davide also sent this photo of he and Burt in Modena, July 13, 2004. Thanks, Davide!
August 11, 2004
Bill posted in the discussion forum that Hip-O Select now reports a late September release date for its much anticipated Bacharach box set. According to Mike Ragogna of Universal Music, the set will feature every Kapp and A&M recording including the unreleased (in the US) live album and the previously unreleased track "Etta's Theme," the rare Liberty singles "Juanita's Place" and "Nikki," the movie instrumental version of "After The Fox," the complete Butch Cassidy soundtrack since that's officially a Burt Bacharach album, "Arthur's Theme" from the movie soundtrack, and, if possible, the Burt & The Backbeats tracks. Stay tuned for details. Also, I posted additional photos of Burt in Italy courtesy of Massimo and Stefano and I received an updated version of the discography from Davide Bonori that I'm furiously working to format. I should have it ready by the end of the week.
July 30, 2004
I added two more sets of photos from Burt's visit to Italy.
• Alberto Gerolimetto sent these photos of Burt's rehearsal in Rome, July 19, 2004.
July
26, 2004
Judging
from the e-mails I've gotten in the past two weeks, Burt's recent tour
of Italy was a resounding success. Thanks to the many Italian fans who
have written me and posted reviews of Burt's recent performances there
in the discussion forum. I've also received a few photographs.
• Roberto Ugolatti submitted these photos of Burt's July 13, 2004, performance in Modena, Italy.
• Derek Stewart contributed these two photos of Burt in Modena.
• Stefano Puracchio sent these photos of Burt in Pescara on July 15.
• Massimo Mastico sent these photos of Burt before and after his performance in Pescara on July 15.
• Edoardo
sent this photo of Burt in performance at the Umbria Jazz Festival in
Perugia on July 16.
Thanks again to everyone.
July
23, 2004
Vocalist
and composer Sacha
Distel has died. Distel's recording of "Raindrops Keep Falling
on My Head" topped the British charts for 30 weeks and her performed
at the July 2000 tribute to Bacharach and David at Royal Albert Hall.
July 14, 2004
Roberto Ugolatti submitted these photos of Burt's July 13, 2004, performance in Modena, Italy.
July 8, 2004
Super fan Vincent Cole sent in these photos from Burt's June 26, 2004, show in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Thanks, Vincent.
May 26,
2004
Peter
Johansson contributed these
photos of Burt he took in Stockholm in May 2001 following the ceremony
at which Burt was awarded the 2001 Polar Music Prize.
May 19,
2004
Hip-O Select, a unit of Universal
Music Group dedicated to collectors-oriented limited-edition reissues,
is planning a four-disc box set of Burt Bacharach's solo recordings. The
set, tentatively scheduled for August 2004 release, will include all of
Burt's Kapp and A&M recordings--including the unreleased-in-the-US
live album--as well as rarities and previously unreleased material. According
to producers Jim Pierson and Mike Ragogna, some of the gems to be featured
include the rare Liberty single "Juanita's Place," the previously
unreleased "Etta's Theme," Burt's recording of "The Bell
That Wouldn't Jingle," and, if they can be licensed in time, both
sides of the 1963 Burt & the Backbeats single "Move It On the
Backbeat" b/w "A Felicidade."
May 12, 2004
Happy Birthday, Burt Bacharach!
May 6, 2004
Hot off the press, I have Burt's updated concert schedule, with new dates announced in Alanta, Dallas, Denver, Hawaii, Los Angeles and New York. For the complete list, visit the updated On Tour page.
May 5, 2004
Roberto Pinardi reports two new dates have been added to Burt's summer concert schedule in Italy. For the complete list, visit the On Tour page.
April 23, 2004
The latest releases in Rhino Handmade's series of Dionne Warwick reissues have been released and, as you might expect, they're both outstanding. The Windows of the World/Valley of the Dolls is a deluxe repackaging of two of Dionne's classic Bacharach-produced albums (Windows was originally issued in 1967 and Valley of the Dolls in 1968) on one CD augmented by a wealth of bonus material. In addition to classics like "I Say A Little Prayer," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" and the respective title tracks, it includes wonderful lesser-known Bacharach compositions like "Walk Little Dolly," "As Long As There's an Apple Tree" and "Another Night." The reissue of 1970's Very Dionne features "Check Out Time," "The Green Grass Starts to Grow" and "They Don't Give Medals to Yesterday's Heroes" as well as underappreciated gems like "Who Gets the Guy" and 10 live tracks. Both releases are digitally remastered and were compiled by and feature liner notes by noted R&B expert David Nathan. These limited edition, individually numbered releases are currently available through Rhino Handmade and SoulMusic.com.
April 19, 2004
An addition to Burt's upcoming concert schedule: Burt will be performing two dates with the San Diego Symphony this summer as part of its Summer Pops Series, Friday, August 27, and Saturday, August 28.
March
3, 2004
I'm slowly starting to update the images section, but rather than
wait until it's completely done, I figured I'd post as I go. First, the
official
publicity photos of Burt and Ron. Second, the cover
of Newsweek, June 22, 1970. Thirdly, some newly
scanned images from Burt Bacharach Anthology, a sheet music collection.
And, fourthly, Burt's official
press photo. (I also plan to post the 2 MB high-resolution
version for use in print media.)
March 1, 2004
Correspondent Dennis Webb deserves credit for originally posting this to the Discussion Forum, but I thought it would be interesting to re-post here as well. Apple's iTunes Music Store has a feature called Celebrity Playlist in which celebrities list and offer comments on the 10 recordings that constitute their ultimate iTunes playlist. Burt was featured in January and listed the following recordings:
"Yesterday"
by Shirley Horn
"Un-Break My Heart" by Toni Braxton
"Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton
"Is That All There Is" by Peggy Lee
"What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross
"Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye
"Just Once" by James Ingram
"Baby Come to Me" by James Ingram & Patti Austin
"After the Love is Gone" by Earth, Wind, & Fire
To read Burt's comments on each recording, visit the iTunes Music Store and click on Celebrity Playlists.
February 25, 2004
I updated the media section with an excellent 1995 Melody Maker article that may have been contributed by Martin Edwards back in 1997. Oops.
February 20, 2004
This just in ... new tour dates announced. Burt will be performing three concerts in Italy this summer as well several other newly scheduled dates. For Burt's full upcoming performance schedule, visit the on tour section.
At long last, we have a new Discussion Forum. This phpBB forum replaces the old server.com forum. The old forum will remain online to direct people to the new forum but eventually it will be deleted. The new forum offers many enhancements over the old forum, not the least of which is an absence of advertisements. I want to encourage the regular posters to the forum to register with a user name, which enables you to take advantage of the forum's full range of options.
February
18, 2004
I added two transcriptions to the lyrics
and chords section. Hakan Bremberg sent in the lyrics to "(There
Goes) The Forgotten Man" and Paul Rossen sent the lyrics and
chords to "I
Took My Strength From You." Thanks to both of you for the contributions.
January 26, 2004
Burt's updated concert schedule for next six months.
December 12, 2003
Happy Birthday, Dionne Warwick! Dionne turns 63 today.
December 11, 2003
December
10, 2003
I can't recall another holiday season with as many new potential gifts
for Bacharach fans. In addition to Burt's new CD, Here
I Am: Isley Meets Bacharach, Rhino
Handmade has reissued two of Dionne's finest collaborations with Bacharach-David,
Promises,
Promises and I'll Never Fall in Love Again. This deluxe remastered
set, which combines the two albums along with bonus tracks on a single
disc, was released in an individually numbered limited edition of 5,000,
so order now or you'll be left wanting things. Readers also have three
excellent, unique books about Burt and his music to choose from: Robin
Platts' Burt
Bacharach & Hal David: What the World Needs Now, Serene Dominic's
Burt
Bacharach: Song By Song, and, now, the most recent entry in the Bacharach
book bonanza, Michael Brocken's Bacharach:
Maestro! The Life of a Pop Genius. And if you do buy one of the CDs
or books, feel free to post your review in the Bacharach
discussion forum.
December 8, 2003
I've finally added Alvina's pics from Burt's performance at the Saratoga Mountain Winery in August 2002. Thanks, Alvina.
December 3, 2003
I added a great interview with Burt from the Nov. 26 Onion A.V. Club to the media page. An excerpt: "I'm making an album for Sony in England which will be more cutting-edge than anything I've ever done. It's mostly instrumental. That's what they want for this particular project. Not 10 hits. Or 10 attempts at hits."
November 21, 2003
The Losers Lounge celebrates its 10th anniversary in December with a special tribute to Burt Bacharach. The show, which takes place in New York City at Fez under Time Cafe on Dec. 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, will feature 30 Bacharach compositions--both famous and obscurities--performed by an all-star lineup of New York music scenesters. For more information, visit the Losers Lounge on the Web.
November 14, 2003
Here
I Am: Isley Meets Bacharach was released Tuesday by DreamWorks Records.
This collection of Bacharach-David songs—newly arranged by Burt and
sung by the great Ron Isley—has the timeless feel of an instant classic.
I had the good fortune to attend Bacharach and Isley's New York showcase
performance Tuesday night, and I've posted a brief
recap of the show and a gallery of images. My thanks go out to Linda
Dozoretz, Allison Ravenscroft and Sue Main.
November 6, 2003
I added a gallery of photos from September's Burt Bacharach Tribute On Ice. The television special--which also stars vocalists James Ingram and Michael McDonald and a cast of world-class figure skaters--will air on NBC in December.
November 5, 2003
Here I Am: Isley Meets Bacharach, Burt's new record featuring the great Ron Isley singing the classic songs of Bacharach & David, will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Burt and Ron will be performing songs from the record backed by a full orchestra at two special showcase concerts: On Thursday, Nov. 6, in Los Angeles and on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in New York. A limited number of tickets will be available for each. Burt and Ron are also scheduled to appear on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on the night of Wednesday, Nov. 12.
October 7, 2003
This (great) news was posted by NYMusicalsGuy in the Bacharach Discussion Forum:
Hope everyone here is aware of the latest new Bacharach offering. Following new songs for Cilla Black ("Beginnings," BB & HD's first show song since "Promises, Promises") and Aretha Franklin (the slow-burn "Falling Out Of Love" from her brand new CD So Damn Happy), Burt and Dr. Dre have quietly leaked their first collaboration on jazz trumpeter Chris Botti's new album A Thousand Kisses Deep. Entitled "The Last Three Minutes," it's a Miles Davis-style groove, slinking and insinuating over a hip-hop drum machine loop. Different stuff than we're accustomed to from Bacharach or Dre (here billed as Andre Young, his real name), and rewarding precisely for that reason. The album also offers a cover of "The Look of Love," for those interested. The beginning of the Bacharach/Young collaboration should keep us all busy till Here I Am's eagerly anticipated release!!
September 19, 2003
Hear I Am: Isley Meets Bacharach, the new collaboration between Burt Bacharach and vocalist Ronald Isley, is scheduled to be released by DreamWorks Records on Nov. 11. Recorded live with no overdubs at the old Capitol Studio A and B in Los Angeles, the site of legendary sessions by Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, the album features the incomparable Isley singing 13 Bacharach compositions, including brand new arrangements of classics like "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" and "Close To You" as well as two new songs, "Love Is the Answer" and "Count On Me." DreamWorks Records has set a up a new Web site, www.isleysingsbacharach.com, to promote the record that includes previews of several tracks, photos and additional information about the project. Stay tuned for more details.
September 10, 2003
Serious Bacharach fans owe it to themselves to check out Serene Dominic's new book Burt Bacharach: Song By Song. Released in August by Schirmer Books, this illustrated, annotated discography is as comprehensive a survey of Bacharach's career as you're likely to find, including interviews with Burt and many performers to record his songs, an exhaustive song-by-song guide, the full text of Dominic's interview with Burt, the Library of Congress' list of Burt's compositions, a list of Burt's TV specials and even a list of rap songs to sample Burt. At 352 fact-filled pages, it's an tremendous work of research and a terrific resource for novices and experts alike. The author, aka Dom Salerno, is an occasional contributor to this site's Bacharach forum. In the book's acknowledgements, Dominic kindly mentions this site as well as thanks forum regulars Roberto Pinardi, Stefan Wesley and discographer extraordinaire Davide Bonori, whose excellent work I'm sure provided the foundation for much of Dominic's research.
August 13, 2003
There are two excellent new Bacharach CDs worth keeping an eye out for. First, Australian label Raven Records has released Rare Bacharach I, an ambitious 53-track two-disc set that collects some of Burt's more obscure recordings, including a number of songs taken from films. It's a welcome addition to the the Bacharach reissue market. Also released this month is What the World Needs Now: Bacharach Classics, a new A&M collection culled primarily from Bacharach's solo albums of the '60s and '70s. There is also a new book about Burt, Bacharach: Maestro! The Life of a Pop Genius by Michael Brocken. Brocken's biography comes in the wake of two other recent books on Burt, Robin Platts' Bacharach and David: What the World Needs Now and Serene Dominic's The Little Red Book of Burt Bacharach.
In some of the most exciting recording news since Painted From Memory, Burt has been in the studio with vocalist Ronald Isley, who is recording a new CD of Bacharach-David material. The plan is to record the tracks live in the studio with no overdubs and Burt promises new soulful arrangements of some of his classic compositions
July 13, 2003
McCormick Presents Burt Bacharach Tribute on Ice, an NBC television special combining the musical talents of Bacharach, Aretha Franklin, James Ingram and Michael McDonald with the ice skating artistry of Brian Boitano, Ilia Kulik and Nicole Bobek, among others, will be taped Saturday, September 20, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. The program will air on NBC-TV on Saturday, December 20, from 4-6 PM.
July 12, 2003
I posted an email interview I conducted with Robin Platts, author of Burt Bacharach & Hal David: What the World Needs Now.
July 11, 2003
First of all, sorry (again!) for my long absence. We're more than overdue for an update. To begin with, I want to sincerely thank Linda Dozoretz and Allison Ravenscroft who arranged for me to see Burt perform with the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall in Houston on May 24. It was the first time I've seen Burt perform a show accompanied by a full orchestra and it proved to be a great night. The set list would be familiar to most people who have seen Burt perform recently, but he replaced "I Still Have That Other Girl" with "God Give Me Strength," which, Burt said, lost the Grammy but is a better song. After the show, thanks to Sue Maine, Burt's tour manager, I had a chance to go backstage and say hi to Burt. He was kind enough to autograph my "Look of Love" box set. I also had a long conversation with Rob Shrock, Burt's keyboardist and musical director, David Crigger, Burt's drummer, and Dennis Wilson, Burt's reed player (and a fellow New Orleans native). Burt has been writing new material, Rob told me, although as of yet there are no plans to go into the studio. Keep your fingers crossed.
May 12 , 2003
Happy Birthday, Burt! Today, Burt Bacharach turns 74. As most of you know, The Look of Love opened on Broadway on May 4. I've assembled a collection of links, articles and reviews of the production, many of which were first posted in the Discussion Forum, so the thanks goes to the original contributors. Also, Vincent Cole sent in a few pictures taken following Burt's performance in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 3.
March 11, 2003
According to a news release from Linda Dozoretz Communications, Burt was released from Cedars-Sinai hospital yesterday after undergoing surgery last week following complications from a dental abcess. He will be recuperating at his home in Los Angeles.
March 7 , 2003
Allison with Linda Dozoretz Communications wrote last week to announce an addition to Burt's performance schedule: Burt will be performing three nights with the Baltimore Symphony, Nov. 28-30. She added that Burt is excited about the opening of The Look of Love and will be heading to New York next month to do press for it. Also, discussion forum stalwart Steve Owen sent in this photo of him and fellow Bacharach fan (and discussion forum regular) Janet taken when they met last fall. Thanks, Steve.
February 19, 2003
I added the transcription of a Burt Bacharach cover story from Newsweek, The Music Man 1970. I haven't scanned the cover art yet, but it's an excellent read. Thanks are due my brother, who generously gave me a copy of the magazine.
February 12, 2003
It's been 35 years, but Burt is finally back on Broadway. The Look Of Love, a new musical built around the classic songs of Bacharach and David, opens on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 West 47th Street, on May 4, with previews beginning April 4. A production of the Roundabout Theatre Company, The Look of Love was conceived by David Thompson, Scott Ellis, David Loud and Ann Reinking and stars a large cast including Liz Callaway, Kevin Ceballo, Jonathan Dokuchitz, Eugene Fleming, Capathia Jenkins, Janine, LaManna, Shannon Lewis, Rachelle Rak and Desmond Richardson. Read the complete press release announcing the show.
February 10, 2003
Davide Bonori just sent me the latest updates to his incredible Bacharach discographies. I've formatted and uploaded the chronological discography and I hope to have the alphabetical discography up shortly. Any additions or corrections should be sent directly to Davide. Please not his new email address.
February
7, 2003
Irish vocalist Siobhan Pettit has released Long
Ago Tomorrow, a new jazz-inflected collection of 14 songs by Burt
Bacharach, spanning his catalog from "Wives and Lovers" to "Painted From
Memory." You can sample tracks from Siobhan's record and purchase the
disc online by visiting her Website.
January 30, 2003
At long last, Collector's Guide Publishing has released Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Robin Platts' highly anticipated book on the music and careers of Bacharach and David. Robin, an occasional contributor to this site's discussion forum, is a longtime music journalist and the author of a wonderful article on Bacharach for the record collectors' magazine Discoveries a few years ago. Burt Bacharach & Hal David includes interviews with Burt and Hal as well as with many of the performers and music industry veterans to work with them through the years. It's a must-read for any serious fan of Bacharach. Bacharach & David is available online via Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and other retailers. It's a must-read for any serious fan of Bacharach.
January 8, 2003
Happy New Year! And Happy Birthday, Elvis! In honor of the King's birthday, I bought From Elvis in Memphis, which features Presley's faithful rendition of Bacharach's "Any Day Now," the 1962 Chuck Jackson hit. From Elvis in Memphis is probably the best studio album Elvis cut in the wake of his comeback, featuring classics such as "In the Ghetto," "Suspicious Minds," "Kentucky Rain," "I'm Movin On" and "Only the Strong Survive." It's a great collection of Memphis soul.
Previous Bacharach News