Tribute To Burt Bacharach And Hal David DVD

The Royal Albert Hall provides an appropriately regal backdrop for A Tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David, recorded in July 2000. They are "one of the greatest song writing partnerships in the history of popular music", says compere Johnnie Walker. A parade of international singing talent proceeds to demonstrate the elegance and deceptive complexity of pop songs which haven't merely stood the test of time--if anything, they've grown in stature; a succession of mini epics describing emotional journeys through sophisticated lyrics and melodies. Now that it's cool... to like them again, young performers are queuing up to sing them, with varying degrees of competence. Here, people like Shola Ama and Lucy Silvers seem overwhelmed by the occasion. Not so comedian Brian Conley. His considerable ego is more than enough to fill the hall but he's too busy loving himself to bring anything new to "What's New Pussycat". It's left to the showbiz legends to provide the classiest moments: Petula Clark, Sacha Distel ("Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head") and Elvis Costello ("I Just Don't Know What to do With Myself"). Then, like a gracious aunt, on comes Dionne Warwick and effortlessly shows everyone how these songs are really done. With Bacharach himself at the piano she slips into "Walk on By" and the years fall away. Watch out for Hal David joining the final line-up for a sing-along "What the World Needs Now"--a magic moment for any true pop fan. --Piers Ford [show more]

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