The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

Good afternoon to all,
Happy New Year to all Burt fans around the globe; indeed the World is a Cirlce.
Sorry to Hear about Burt's back surgery and concert cancellations as a result. At 80/81, Burt indeed is a strong man, still performing, writing, producing, instead of just sitting back.. how lucky we are that we still get fresh Burt material in the 21st century.

A few questions...

-I was wondering what the instrument is called Burt uses on several of his interpretations. It's a whistle-like instrument and sounds really great. I've heard it on 'Wives and Lovers' and a few others.
-On Burt's version of 'Living Together', is that Burt himself on the chorus: "it'll just take one to build a home, fill it with people..."?
-Why haven't Burt's record companies released his solo stuff stateside on cd? I would love to get a copy of 'Living Together', 'Woman', and 'Futures'. Also, why aren't there any dvds featuring a Burt concert, besides 'One Amazing Night'?
-the song 'Making Love', sung by Roberta Flack, is that the same one that has the line "that's the time, I feel like making love to you" or are those lyrics to another RF song?
-Any new word on 'Lost Horizon' on dvd?

Thank you so much for reading, and/or replying. Have a speady recovery Burt, take care, and best wishes to you and your family!!
OD in MTY, MX

Can answer the Roberta Flack question. The tune you mention lyrics from is "Feel Like Making Love", a song composed by singer-songwriter Eugene McDaniels and a big # 1 hit for her in 1974...link

Burt's Making Love written for the movie was a #13 hit in about 1983 for Roberta.

Dear Burtchifan,
I feel that on Burts album Wives and Lovers symphonic piece, It s probably someone whistling, or if not that an ocarina....(more than likely a professional whistler)
The musicians union have those guys..one was Muzzy Marcelino who did just that
on a lot of sessions(listed in the union book as a whistler)Fred Lowery would have been another..
Muzzy played clarinet as well(if I remember correctly)

Steveo

If Burt had never written even one song, but had spent his career orchestrating other pop songwriters' songs, he would have gone down as the greatest orchestrator in history. Hands down! Burt said that, no matter how great the song, it had to be presented correctly in the orchestration. He knew the truth in that. On all the shows I've seen him on, and in all the interviews I've read, I can't think of anyone delving into this aspect of his genius. And I have never heard anyone ask him about his countermelodies. I think the fact that he became so famous as a composer diminished the proper tribute he should have received as an orchestrator.

I totally agree with Enormous.

As to this passage, "I think the fact that he became so famous as a composer diminished the proper tribute he should have received as an orchestrator," I think it is true even -- or even more so -- considering that Burt's success as a composer is partly due to his skillful arrangements.

I think no one comes close. And if our ears didn't serve us well enough, we'd just have to listen to Tunick's words and to observe his phenomenal success, including the first Tony ever for orchestration (Titanic).

When I think of Burt arranging other people's songs I think of Newley's Who Can I Turn To? (Dionne), the Oscar 2000 medley (various artists), and Becaud's Marie, Marie (Dietrich).

And let's remember that Burt was specific as to how he wanted "his" singing. It had to fit everything else that he was listening to simultaneously and along the entire song. (Vide

Pick your choice for an interpretation of Who Can I Turn To? on YouTube. Dionne's is 1,000 times better, IMHO. Imagine if you're Newley or Bricusse and you listen to that... I think they could cry just as Becaud did. (Does anyone know of a statement by them about the Burt/Dionne version? I seem to recall that Newley said something about it.)