How I Came to Like Burt Bacharach

[outstretchedarm]

Hi...this is my first post...I'm 33 years old from New Jersey.

well, I came to like Bacharach's music in a different way. My first exposure to his material was actually through people sampling songs he had written. I remember Smith and Wesson's Stand Strong, which sampled Isaac Hayes' version of The Look of Love. This was all circa 1994.

Around this time, the movie Dead Presidents was released, which sported an *excellent* soundtrack of 70's soul records; in fact, the soundtrack generated a much bigger buzz in urban circles than the movie did. The soundtrack featured two Isaac Hayes renditions of Bacharach songs: the aforementioned Look of Love as well as his (what I think is) the definitive version of Walk on By. The extended version, with its ridiculously long guitar solo, became a cult classic and was considered sacred among my group of friends. At the time, I still didnt know who wrote these songs though.

To be honest, and I know it sounds silly, but I think I was first exposed to Bacharach's person when he had his cameo in 1997's Austin Powers. I was like "so that's the guy wrote What the World Needs Now". I sorta filed his name away at that time.

Also around this time, actually in 1995, R. Kelly began collaborating with Ron Isley, most famously on Keep it On the Down Low. This worked well because, after all who doesn't like Ron Isley's voice. I thought it was great how he was collaborating with younger artists and keeping himself relevant.

Then, I was reading an article on Isley, where it stated that his next project would be an album length collaboration with Burt Bacharach. I was suprised! I thought "This is odd. I thought Isley was trying to make himself hip and accessible to this younger generation. This seems like an about face for him, collaborating with that elderly fellow from Austin Powers. What's he thinking"?

Then one late night around 2002, I was cruising through TV late night, and since I only had good reception for two channels, PBS being one of them, I stumbled upon the soundstage special of Burt Bacharach and Ron Isley performing live. I only caught the last three songs or so, but I was instantly mesmerized, and quickly hooked up my tv to my stereo and recorded the last song on tape, because I didnt know if I would ever hear this material again! They performed A House is Not a Home among others, and my reaction was "this is some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. This is heaven." I was a card carrying Burt Bacharach fan from then on.

I began amassing a large collection of his stuff, primarily through my (paid) Napster Account. The Isley/Bacharach CD is still my favorite, though the studio album is, I think, not as magical as the Live Performance, which i now like to view on youtube.

Anyway, just thought I would share.

Oh yeah, I also play keys as a hobby, having graduated from my sampler! Bacharach's songs are a little harder to play than most people's, I think, but my favorite one to play is "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head."

[steveo_1965]

Thanks for the great post on how you became a Bacharach fan....
I too, became one in the similar way that I loved the songs before I
knew who wrote them, and also I started digging on a hero who was my Dads age, whereas before, it was young folk who were my contemporaries..Beatles,etc.
Hey, the man is awesome!

[vincent.cole]

Welcome to the forum, Outstrechedarm!

As you go through the music of Burt Bacharach, it's going to bring you much joy!!!

Now you should also search out Dionne Warwick's rare gems!

Dionne Warwick in my judgment, stand above everyone who tackled the Burt Bacharach & Hal David Song Book!!!

Here are a few chestnuts! Youtube doesn't do these song justice. You have to go out and buy the CDs!!!

1. How Many Days If Saddness!

2. If I Ever make You Cry!

3. Check Out Time!

4. Who is Gonna Love Me Now!

Dionne Warwick's voice, Hal David's lyrics & the wonderful music of Burt Bacharach is truly awesome!!!

[An Enormous BB Fan]

Glad you joined the club, outstretchedarm. You're among true lovers and appreciators of Burt and all the phenomenal music he has composed and continues to compose. Burt's music will live forever and ever because it's so awesome.

[outstretchedarm]

I'm fond of trying to predict which 20th songwriters/composers will be remembered 500 years from now. My past picks have been:

Leonard Bernstein
John Williams
Berhard Hermann
Gershwin

I think I will add Bacharach to my list

[An Enormous BB Fan]

Burt Bacharach for SURE!! Not even a question. The reason I say this is because songs that he wrote 40 years ago are being re-made to this very day. Each new generation loves them and wants to sing them. His best song never go out of style.

Gershwin is another shoo-in. His songs will always be sung and recorded. He, like Burt, will never be forgotten.

I would agree with Bernstein, but only because of West Side Story -- which, by the way, is coming back to Broadway again.

And I would agree with Hermann and Williams because of all great movies they were connected with. I would take Burt's movies scores over anyone's; however, I can't deny the fact that Williams' movie scores are incredible. His scores can be exciting and touching. His music has added so much to the movies he scored.

So, yes, I have to agree with your list.