NEW MUSIC FROM AN OLD FRIEND...
Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:28 pm
So has everybody run, not walked, to Target for Burt's 2 new recordings this morning? Some initial thoughts...it's hard for me to hear a lot of Bacharach influence in "What Love Can Do", co-penned and performed by Brian Wilson. It seems as if Burt has deliberately ceded to Wilson's style (which BW admits was, in turn, influenced by Burt), and the track is orchestrated and performed by Brian's band, with Burt on piano. It's filled with the honking and clip-clopping that are Wilson hallmarks, not to mention breathtaking harmonies from the get-go. (The PET SOUNDS vibe only briefly disappears for a more modern guitar solo courtesy of Ted Perlman.) The melody is gently loping and wonderfully yearning, and Burt's melodic style is most evident (to these ears, at least) in the verses with their delicious, quirky chords. It's a real winner that grows on me with each listen, and I really hope their other collaborations (I believe there are 2 others in the can, if I recall) see the light of day soon.
Burt returns with the slow-burn "I Still Remember", written with Tonio K and John Pagano, who also provides lead vocals. This one starts with a tension reminiscent of "God Give Me Strength" (and sounds a bit like Carole King's "Snow Queen", ironic since King is another participant on this terrific disc). Burt co-produces this one with Perlman and wrote the orchestration, and Pagano turns in a memorable vocal to complement the mature, dark orchestration. (Would that Burt would produce an entire disc for him!) This track is a bit more reflective and subtle than "What Love Can Do", but I'm sure its rewards will prove just as ample with a few more listens. It's definitely in the PAINTED FROM MEMORY vein, and Lew Soloff turns in a very 1960s-style trumpet solo near the track's end.
In short, I can't imagine any Burt fan would be disappointed with this offering, which also includes Burt & Peabo Bryson's take on "Alfie" which begins with a wonderful piano solo from Burt (and kicks off the entire album).
Enjoy!
Joe
Burt returns with the slow-burn "I Still Remember", written with Tonio K and John Pagano, who also provides lead vocals. This one starts with a tension reminiscent of "God Give Me Strength" (and sounds a bit like Carole King's "Snow Queen", ironic since King is another participant on this terrific disc). Burt co-produces this one with Perlman and wrote the orchestration, and Pagano turns in a memorable vocal to complement the mature, dark orchestration. (Would that Burt would produce an entire disc for him!) This track is a bit more reflective and subtle than "What Love Can Do", but I'm sure its rewards will prove just as ample with a few more listens. It's definitely in the PAINTED FROM MEMORY vein, and Lew Soloff turns in a very 1960s-style trumpet solo near the track's end.
In short, I can't imagine any Burt fan would be disappointed with this offering, which also includes Burt & Peabo Bryson's take on "Alfie" which begins with a wonderful piano solo from Burt (and kicks off the entire album).
Enjoy!
Joe
Bonjour nymusicalsguy;