The legend that is Burt Bacharach played the Wales Millennium Centre in July 2015, his last visit to Cardiff in a show that was filled with hits and anecdotes
The word legend is mentioned all too often in music and sadly it rarely seems justified.
But in the case of Burt Bacharach it is a perfect description of a genius of a man who in his 87 years has written probably the greatest body of work popular music has, and will even see.
There are very few who come close – maybe a McCartney in his prime – because what Bacharach brings to the table is a quality that has endeared him to music lovers throughout the world, with artists clamouring to cover his songs.
Quite simply, people may not know Bacharach, but everyone will have a favourite song of his whether it’s sung by Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield or Tom Jones, to name but a few.
We’ve been very fortunate in Wales as this was Bacharach’s second visit in a year following his performance at the Brecon Jazz Festival last August where he dazzled a small audience.
This time he upped the stakes somewhat by adding a full orchestra to the mix which complemented his music beautifully and gave his songs an extra dimension that a keyboard alone fails to deliver.
Walking out to a wonderful ovation at the Wales Millennium Centre, Bacharach charmed his audience with delightful anecdotes about songs he was proud of and those he liked to forget.
How many, for example, knew that he had a hand in writing the popular children’s Saturday morning Junior Choice favourite Three Wheels On My Wagon, a flop for Dick Van Dyke or his first-ever hit The Story Of My Life, a hit for Marty Robbins back in 1957
Talking about What’s New Pussycat, Bacharach recalled that when he met Tom Jones to talk about it, the Welsh legend said he didn’t like it and wasn’t fussed on covering it, coming just after breaking into the big time with It’s Not Unusual.
It took some convincing from Tom’s then manager Gordon Mills, described by Bacharach as ‘a very smart guy’. And the rest, as they say, is pop history.
But whilst the chat was fascinating it was the music that we all came to hear and as classic tune followed classic tune, it was jaw-dropping to witness Bacharach’s wonderful arrangements and beautiful orchestration aided by three highly-talented vocalists, each taking turns to step up with their take on such songs as Walk On By, I Say A Little Prayer, This Guy’s In Love With You and Anyone Who Had A Heart.
It was a heady mix and with Bacharach throwing in a newish tune Hush, written for a musical Some Lovers, it showed the master still had the touch and the enthusiasm to create something new.
Leaving two plus hours later with his audience singing Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, there was a fully deserved standing ovation in honour of an amazing man and an incredible evening.
Tony Woolway
