Introduction to Burt and his music
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 12:10 pm
Hello to all.
I am a new member to the forum, but been a fan of Burt's music for a long, long time. I'm only 36, but Burt's music was always playing in the house. My mom loved the music of the 60's, especially Motown, R&B, and the like. My dad was a Chicago fan (the band), so, naturally, I grew to appreciate all kinds of music.
I remember listening to Dionne Warwick's songs: Walk On By, Anyone Who Had a Heart, Don't Make Me Over, Do You Know The Way To San Jose (is it Burt's longest-titled hit?), I Say A Little Prayer, etc, etc, etc. I liked those songs, they were catchy and fun to listen to- not easy-listening, but fun in that the tunes were just different from the other songs I heard growing up. Then, one day my mom put "Reach Out"- Burt's album- on LP! I was blown away. Those songs I had heard before just sounded different, and very nice. I would listen to all Burt's albums: Make It Easy On Yourself, Butch Cassidy sntdk, Burt Bacharach, Woman, Futures, Plays Hit Hits, Greatest Hits, Live In Japan, Casino Royale, What's New Pussycat?, After The Fox, and Lost Horizon (I hadn't seen the movie prior to listening to the album the first time). About the only album I still haven't heard (to this day)is Living Together. This era was the 80's, when I was in my early to late teens. During that time, Burt's 80's compositions were good as they had been in the 60's and 70's, but sounded 'soft' - don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed those tunes: On My Own, That's What Friends are For, Heartlight, Love Power, etc.
It's important to note that I didn't know about the Lost Horizon fiasco or the Bacharach/David/Warwick split. To me, Burt was Burt and his music was new to me. When I read about all the things Burt went through, I was amazed, seeing how he managed to pick himself up and move forward with his career.
Fast-forwrd to 1998. I had been keeping up with his career. I bought 'Painted From Memory' and thought it was just an incredible album. Then, the unexpected: Burt and Elvis in concert at the Chicago Theatre in November, 1998! Saw the show, had a great time listening to al those tunes LIVE played by the men themsleves, especially Burt's songs played by the man himself. After the show, I waited outside the backstage entrance, as I had seen several people gathered and they told me that Burt greeted his fans after each show. After about 40 minutes, Elvis Costello came out: I approached him for an autograph, but he refused. I thought, "oh Well". Then Burt came out: smiling, and seemingly astonished to see a large crowd cheering him when he came out. I approached him, told him I was a huge fan, he smiled and said "Thank you very much, thank you". He gave me his autograph, and Elvis saw that, and he signed right below Burt.
In closing. I am particular to Burt's interpretations of his material. To me, his versions of the following songs are the definitive: Reach Out (For Me), Make It Easy On Yourself (he has limited singing, but he pours his heart out on this song), Wives and Lovers (70's version, not 60's version), Nikki, Pacific Coast Highway. I have yet to purchase "Live At the Sydney Opera House", but that is coming soon. (Sorry for the looong post)
I am a new member to the forum, but been a fan of Burt's music for a long, long time. I'm only 36, but Burt's music was always playing in the house. My mom loved the music of the 60's, especially Motown, R&B, and the like. My dad was a Chicago fan (the band), so, naturally, I grew to appreciate all kinds of music.
I remember listening to Dionne Warwick's songs: Walk On By, Anyone Who Had a Heart, Don't Make Me Over, Do You Know The Way To San Jose (is it Burt's longest-titled hit?), I Say A Little Prayer, etc, etc, etc. I liked those songs, they were catchy and fun to listen to- not easy-listening, but fun in that the tunes were just different from the other songs I heard growing up. Then, one day my mom put "Reach Out"- Burt's album- on LP! I was blown away. Those songs I had heard before just sounded different, and very nice. I would listen to all Burt's albums: Make It Easy On Yourself, Butch Cassidy sntdk, Burt Bacharach, Woman, Futures, Plays Hit Hits, Greatest Hits, Live In Japan, Casino Royale, What's New Pussycat?, After The Fox, and Lost Horizon (I hadn't seen the movie prior to listening to the album the first time). About the only album I still haven't heard (to this day)is Living Together. This era was the 80's, when I was in my early to late teens. During that time, Burt's 80's compositions were good as they had been in the 60's and 70's, but sounded 'soft' - don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed those tunes: On My Own, That's What Friends are For, Heartlight, Love Power, etc.
It's important to note that I didn't know about the Lost Horizon fiasco or the Bacharach/David/Warwick split. To me, Burt was Burt and his music was new to me. When I read about all the things Burt went through, I was amazed, seeing how he managed to pick himself up and move forward with his career.
Fast-forwrd to 1998. I had been keeping up with his career. I bought 'Painted From Memory' and thought it was just an incredible album. Then, the unexpected: Burt and Elvis in concert at the Chicago Theatre in November, 1998! Saw the show, had a great time listening to al those tunes LIVE played by the men themsleves, especially Burt's songs played by the man himself. After the show, I waited outside the backstage entrance, as I had seen several people gathered and they told me that Burt greeted his fans after each show. After about 40 minutes, Elvis Costello came out: I approached him for an autograph, but he refused. I thought, "oh Well". Then Burt came out: smiling, and seemingly astonished to see a large crowd cheering him when he came out. I approached him, told him I was a huge fan, he smiled and said "Thank you very much, thank you". He gave me his autograph, and Elvis saw that, and he signed right below Burt.
In closing. I am particular to Burt's interpretations of his material. To me, his versions of the following songs are the definitive: Reach Out (For Me), Make It Easy On Yourself (he has limited singing, but he pours his heart out on this song), Wives and Lovers (70's version, not 60's version), Nikki, Pacific Coast Highway. I have yet to purchase "Live At the Sydney Opera House", but that is coming soon. (Sorry for the looong post)