Christmas is on it's merry way and I've been singing Bacharach tunes all day. Burt Bacharach (b.1928) is best known for his popular songs during the 50s and 60s, many of which were written for Dionne Warwick and Dusty Springfield. I love them so much that I want to share my top 5 Bacharach tunes with you complete with awesome videos. You may think you know what I'm going to play first, but I doubt you're right! You see, one of my all time favourite Bacharach numbers is this festive ditty from his hit 1968 musical Promises, Promises. I wish all office parties had choreographed songs and dances! Please, sit back and enjoy "Turkey Lurkey Time".
Written for the 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid is the classic "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". Here it is performed by B.J. Thomas on Top Of The Pops with practically a harem of 60s go go dancers. My my, I don't know what song they're listening to but it doesn't look like the one he's singing! See those ladies shimmy!
Now don't go running a mile when I post something related to Glee. Kristen Chenoweth is absolutely incredible and the "mash up" of "One Less Bell To Answer" and "A House Is Not A Home" is super stunning. Two of Bacharachs' heart wrenching hits intertwined together. Yum.
I mentioned that Bacharach collaborated with Dionne Warwick on many of his popular songs, especially in the 60s. This live performance of Bacharach and Warwick singing "What The World Needs Now" and "Alfie" demonstrates his versatility and sheer skill as a musician. Plus, that lurex cuffed sleeve dress Dionne is wearing is beautiful. I love me some lurex. Sparkle sparkle sparkle.
Last but not least, a song Dusty Springfield sang for the 1967 film Casino Royale. This isn't a live performance of "The Look Of Love" but an excerpt from the film. That HAT. Ultimate flamboyance and 60s glamour, I love it. But if you're mad for a bit of Dusty there are videos out there. Oh and if you didn't catch our blog post on Dusty catch it here.
I hope I've got you thirsting for a bit of Burt Bacharach in your CD collection. There's more to him than "Close To You", he's an incredible musician whose arrangements were massively ahead of their time and full of energy, with constant invention and creativity. The orchestral "oooohs" and "ahhhs" in the overture to Promises, Promises simply epitomise the 60s and then when the brass burst into the first riff you can't help but get excited! Give this overture a listen and I dare you to try and turn it off.
Gina x
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