The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

A song for today.
And perhaps forever...........


"blue"

"blue"

It most certainly is! ....... One of the many under appreciated BB/HD/DW treasures!

ron

Yes, blue, one of Burt's best compositions. And perfect calendar timing!

Of course, the uploader of the song has the title wrong. It's not "April Fools." The correct title is "The April Fools." I don't mean to be a stickler, but there is a difference. (On Aretha's album it's also listed as "April Fools.")

(Don't you just hate nit-pickers like me??)

'Knowing When to Leave' is probably Bacharach and David's most covered lesser known song and most recordings of it tend to be more than a little overblown, disguising the fact it's one of Bacharach's most beautiful and original harmonic sequences. Here's a very subtle guitar and voice interpretation, albeit an amateur homemade job:

Yes Sara, 'Knowing When to Leave' is a definitive Bacharach and David song if ever there was one and although from my experience people tend to love the song it was perhaps a little bit too 'different' to ever be a chart hit for anyone. Several years ago I came across a version by Vikki Carr from one of BB's TV specials in the early 70s. It's sandwiched in the middle of her interpretation of 'Make it Easy on Yourself', by the end of which she's on the verge of her trademark tears:

Except for the theatrical aspects - I was pleasantly surprised by Vikki's vocal performance!

Have never heard this until I found it on a Drifters greatest hits. Was it a "hit" and if so, when? I'm not sure it's really the Drifters or least all of the group, as the background vocals are (mostly) female. An unusual track for them. I am unaware of any other versions of this song (does Dionne Warwick do this?), here's "Loneliness Or Happiness":

Gene's other "24"......


"blue"

Interesting Bacharach documentary from the mid nineties.
Includes rare footage of Burt working on the "shelved" "Snow White" musical.



"blue"

blueonblue wrote:Interesting Bacharach documentary from the mid nineties.

Great finding, thanx for sharing!

Tina Mason's version of Are you there with another girl is up there with Dionne's Version. Check it out.

i love the way she makes her voice cry between 2:34 to 2:38 when singing love requires faith i got alot of faith buuuuut. just beautiful

Never heard this song before or even heard about it. Babs Tino call of the wedding. I am starting to realize that Burts early sound interlapped alot with Jerry Lieber/Mike Stoller sound I wonder if Burt was influenced alot by them or if it was mutual.

Look at Burt directing a childrens choir for the world is a circle. It amazes me how captivated he is with the kids and how detailed he is with the orchestration of the most minor things. He is a true genius.

The "Maestro" rehearsing the 5th Dimension (full version)


"blue"