The images page is in desperate need of an update.

I was browsing through the images directory and I realized there were quite a few images there that weren’t linked on the images page. So I got rid of the images page. Now, if you go to images, you get a raw index of everything there. It’s not pretty and you don’t get thumbnail views, but at least you get to see all the pics I’ve scanned, downloaded or had mailed to me.

Motown Salutes Bacharach–a new CD featuring Bacharach covers from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross–is scheduled for release in the U.K. on May 6, according to www.amazon.co.uk. No word yet on a domestic release date.

Burt’s updated concert tour itinerary is now available.

Also updated from his publicity agency is Burt’s official media bio.

Just for fun, I added the following poll. Because it’s a readymade, I was only able to include 50 songs to choose from, which I’m sure is going to infuriate many of you. I tried to pick the best-known songs with a few highly regarded obscurities. If your favorites are missing, write me and I’ll update the poll to include them.

Burt will be appearing at the Grand Casino Biloxi (Miss.) on April 25.

Tickets are available through–surprise, surprise–Ticketmaster.

Burt’s publicity agency recently faxed me the list of Burt’s appearances for the first half of this year.

Nothing we didn’t know before, but you can find the now reconfirmed dates on the On Tour page.

Bibliophiles take note…

“Interviews with both Burt Bacharach and Hal David are featured in the new book “Behind The Muse: Pop and Rock’s Greatest Songwriters Talk About Their Work and Inspiration” by Bill DeMain.

(Bill contributed to the liner notes for “The Look Of Love” box set.) In addition to the interviews with Burt and Hal, conducted in 1996 and 1998, the book features interviews with over 40 successful and respected songwriters (including Jimmy Webb, Brian Wilson, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Billy Joel, Sherly Crow and many others). More details on the book, and ordering information, can be found at the website of the publisher, Tiny Ripple Books. The book can also be ordered through the amazon.com and Barnes & Noble websites.

This just arrived in the mail…

A TRIBUTE TO BURT BACHARACH AND HAL DAVID

ALONG WITH Lennon & McCartney, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, Burt Bacharach and Hal David are legends in popular music. To celebrate their timeless songs, Aviva International and Direct Video Distribution are delighted to announce the release of a stunning tribute concert. Available from 22 October (the DVD version will be released on 19 November) ?A Tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David÷ joins the songwriters and a host of stars on the stage of The Royal Albert Hall. Filmed in June 2000, this spectacular gala occasion is hosted by Radio 2÷s Johnnie Walker and features such stellar performers as Petula Clark, Elvis Costello, Sacha Distel, Leo Sayer, Edwin Starr and of course Dionne Warwick, plus many more. Bacharach and David have been cited as perhaps the most universally acclaimed songwriters ever, responsible for such timeless classics as Walk On By, Say A Little Prayer, There÷s Always Something There To Remind Me, What the World Needs Now and 24 Hours From Tulsa to name but a few. Four decades into their career, their music continues to set industry records and trends, with contemporary artists such as Oasis, REM and Ben Folds Five paying them homage in interviews and recordings. The concert was organised by and in support of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Supported by artists such as Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Elton John and Robbie Williams, the charity raises much needed money to help improve the lives of handicapped children through music therapy.

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Multi award winner Burt Bacharach is simply one of the most accomplished composers of the 20th century. He revolutionised the music of the 1960s and remains one of America÷s most popular and versatile songwriters, with compositions ranging from rock, jazz and soul to highly polished Broadway show scores. With an amazing 52 Top 40 hits to his credit, few writers can match his success record during the 20th century. Hal David is one of the most successful lyricists in the music business and has been the recipient of every major music award including 20 gold records, an Academy Award for Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head and a Grammy for Promises Promises. He has been elected to the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and the Nashville Hall Of Fame International. The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

Track Listing

1.

Close To You (Instrumental)
2. Alfie (Instrumental)
3. Do You Know the Way To San Jos?? (Instrumental)
4. Raindrops Keep Fallin÷ On My Head (Instrumental)
5. Wives & Lovers ? Kenny lynch
6. One Less Bell To Answer ? Lucie Silvas
7. Don÷t Make Me Over ? Lynden David Hall
8. Reach Out For Me ? Brian Kennedy
9. You÷ll Never Get To Heaven – Yazz
10. Raindrops Keep Fallin÷ On My Head ? Sacha Distel
11. This Guy÷s In Love With You ? Paul Carrack
12. A House Is Not A Home ? Petula Clark
13. Wishin÷ and Hopin÷ ? Petula Clark
14. Close To You ? Petula Clark
15. (There÷s) Always Something There To Remind Me ? Leo Sayer
16. Alfie ? Sumudu Jayatilaka
17. I÷ll Never Fall In Love Again ? Brian Kennedy
18. What÷s New Pussycat? ? Brian Conley
19. 24 Hours From Tulsa ? Brian Conley
20. I Just Have To Breathe ? Teish O÷Day
21. Make It Easy On Yourself ? Edwin Starr
22. The Look Of Love ? Linda Lewis
23. I Just Don÷t Know What To Do With Myself ? Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach
24. Walk On By ? Dionne Warwick & Burt Bacharach
25. I Say A Little Prayer For You – Dionne Warwick & Burt Bacharach
26. Do You Know the Way To San Jos?? – Dionne Warwick & Burt Bacharach
27. Anyone Who Had A Heart – Dionne Warwick & Burt Bacharach
28. What the World Needs Now Is Love – Ensemble
29. What the World Needs Now Is Love (Instrumental)

Just a reminder: Next week, A&E pays tribute to Burt with three episodes of its Biography series. A&E kicks things off on Monday, Aug. 27, with Hitmakers: The Teens Who Stole Pop Music, a profile of the Brill Building songwriters. On Tuesday, Aug. 28, Biography airs Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over. And (saving the best for last?) on Friday, Aug. 31, A&E devotes an hour to Burt Bacharach (which has received Alec Cumming’s enthusiastic endorsement). As the saying goes, check your local listing for showtimes.

Burt also recently taped an interview for 60 Minutes Australia, where his new CD is doing well.

I’ll pass along an air date as soon as we know an air date.

By the way, today is Jackie DeShannon’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Jackie!

The A&E BIOGRAPHY on Burt is tentatively scheduled to air the week of August 27 — either Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.