Thanks to the generous assistance of discographer Davide Bonori, the chronological Bacharach discography has finally been updated. Davide has been compiling his discography for more than a decade, and it contains almost every song Burt has written — including unreleased demos — as well as selected recordings that Burt produced or arranged. For Bacharach fans, it’s an essential resource and a great read. Thanks Davide!
I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little skeptical when I first got wind of What’s It All About: Bacharach Reimagined. The idea for a Bacharach review had already come to Broadway and, according to most, it had failed pretty badly. (Bacharach himself wasn’t a big fan.) The concept of another Bacharach review, especially one conceived and arranged by a 26-year-old musical theater performer and which promised a “re-imagining” of Bacharach’s music, sounded like a train wreck waiting to happen.
I’m happy to report that Kyle Riabko’s show, which is being staged with Bacharach’s support, appears to be a resounding success. It opened at the New York Theatre Workshop on Nov. 19 to mostly positive reviews and was recently extended through Feb. 2. Updating Bacharach for the millennial generation while still remaining true to the songs was a tall order, but Kyle Riabko seems to have pulled it off.
Here are a few reviews:
And just for good measure, here’s a not-so-positive review by Newsday.
Burt Bacharach performed at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., last Thursday (Dec. 19), but before that show, he spoke with the Colorado Springs Gazette about his legacy, performing for the first time and his recent activities, which include collaborations with Elvis Costello on two new musicals, one based on Painted From Memory and the other on Austin Powers.
I think this is my direction now. There is no record business now. No albums, only singles or downloads. Which is a travesty. There are a lot of people not getting paid what they should get paid. Artists, writers, publishers. Hopefully it will get straightened out. I don’t know how.
To read the full interview, click here.
Just received word that Burt will appear at Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, Wash., on Jan. 23, 2014. As always, check the On Tour page for the latest concert dates.
Kyle Riabko, left, is the creator of a new revue featuring the music of Burt Bacharach.
A new musical revue featuring the music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David is scheduled to begin previews in November.
“What’s It All About? Bacharach Reimagined” begins performances on Nov. 18 at New York Theater Workshop, with opening night set for Dec. 5. The revue is the brainchild of actor, singer and musician Kyle Riabko, whose Broadway credits include “Spring Awakening” and “Hair.” Tony-nominated choreographer Steven Hoggett directs. Intriguingly, the show promises the multi-talented Riabko’s own unique, soulful interpretations of Bacharach classics.
The show comes with a very special endorsement.
Riabkow with the cast. The off-Broadway revue begins previews on Nov. 18.
“I’m very supportive of this project,” Bacharach says in the press release show. “I think Kyle has done something truly unique with my music. I like it very much, and I think you will too.”
Clink this link to see the full press release.
Burt’s never-ending tour continues. Just received confirmation of two new dates for January 2014.
On Jan. 11, Burt will make a relatively rare Gulf South appearance in Biloxi, Miss, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and on Jan. 25, he’ll be in Brooks, Calif., at Cache Creek Casino Resort. There’s a third January show that is in the works, but I’ll hold off on publishing that date until it’s officially confirmed and announced by the promoter.
I’m looking forward to catching the Jan. 11 show in Biloxi, where I first saw Burt perform live a little over 10 years ago.
Just received word that Burt has added two additional Colorado concerts to his schedule for December.
On Saturday, Dec. 21, Burt will perform in Aspen, Colo., at the Wheeler Opera House, and on Sunday Dec. 22, he’ll be in Beaver Creek, Colo., at the Vilar Performing Arts Center.
Those shows are in addition to Burt’s previously announced show on Dec. 19 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
As always, for the complete list of upcoming shows, visit the On Tour page.
Just received confirmation of five new tour dates in November and December. On Nov. 9, Burt will perform in Kiawah Island, S.C., as part of Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz. On Nov. 23, Burt will perform in Indio, Calif., at Fantasy Springs Casino. On Dec. 13 and 14, Burt will perform with the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. And, finally, on Dec. 19, Burt will perform at Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Spring, Colo. There are also a couple of additional Colorado dates pending which I’ll post as soon as they’re confirmed.
Just catching up with some of the recent press coverage accompanying the U.K. release of “Anyone Who Had a Heart.”
First off, Mick Brown of the Telegraph had a marvelous, candid interview with Burt that surveys his entire career.
The Daily Express’ Sandro Monetti had this interview with Burt and the newspaper also included this nice interview with Burt’s collaborator Elvis Costello on what Bacharach has meant to him as a songwriter and what it was like working with the legendary composer.
Finally, the Daily Record featured this interview with Burt in which he talks about the state of the recording industry and the rigors of book promotion.
Burt is currently in the midst of a European tour that kicked off on June 14 in Sweden. Beginning this evening, June 20, he’ll perform three concerts in Italy before heading to the U.K. for five shows between June 26 and July 7 (with a one-off in Israel sandwiched in between).
As part of his regular “How I Write” feature, Noah Charney interviewed Burt Bacharach yesterday in the Daily Beast.
Was there a specific moment when you felt you had “made it” as a songwriter?
Maybe when Miles Davis said to me, “Hey man, ‘Alfie,’ that’s a very good song.” If Miles Davis said to me that I’d written a great song, maybe all was well in the world.
To see the entire interview, visit the Daily Beast.