Brilliant Bacharach

Adoring fans turn out to see his Electric Proms performance

23 October 2008 - Before opening this year's BBC Electric Proms at the Roundhouse, Burt Bacharach told 6 Music he was nervous about whether people would turn up - he needn't have worried.

The historic building was rammed with adoring fans awaiting an exceptional UK performance from one of music's true greats. And he gave us something very special: a romantic, tear-jerking and epic show.

As he took to the piano to perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra it was clear that he was the conductor of everything taking place on that famous stage, and he instantly had the crowd singing along to an astonishing medley of his timeless classics.

Together with lyricist Hal David, Burt defined romantic song and he could have chosen any number or world famous singers to accompany him tonight. Instead he chose relatively new young talent in the shape of guest vocalists Adele, Beth Rowley and Jamie Cullum.

The three showcased their unique vocal talents and gave wonderful performances, but the spotlight was firmly on Mr Bacharach: a man so effortlessly smooth he makes Bryan Ferry look like a north eastern colliery boy.

"He gave us something very special!"

We know he made his chart debut in 1957 and that he went on to rack up an astonishing 52 chart hits in the UK and 70 in the US, but it's still shocking to hear just how many songs this man is responsible for crafting. As we get Walk On By, Do You Know The Way To San Jose?, I Say A Little Prayer, The Look Of Love, 24 Hours From Tulsa, What's New Pussycat? and a host of dazzling tunes, you realise just how peerless and yet modest he is. Many artists with far less to boast about would milk the grand-standing ...but Burt is far too self assured for that.

About half way through the set he reminds us that he had a cameo role in three Austin Powers films, and segues beautifully into a medley of his movie scores, culminating with the audience singing along to Raindrops Keep Fallng On My Head.

Some of the audience were disappointed that Burt didn't grant Noel Gallagher's wish to sing This Guy's In Love With You, but it was difficult to fault tonight's show.

A Roundhouse full of boys and girls, men and women swaying, singing, drinking, snogging and crying ... a sublime night from a colossus of music.


Track list

What The World Needs Now
Medley One
Medley Two
Anyone Who Had A Heart
Make It Easy On Yourself - featuring Jamie Cullum Close To You
24 Hours From Tulsa - featuring Beth Rowley For The Children Baby It's You - featuring Adele, Movie Medley
Encore:
Any Day Now
Beginnings Medley
What The World Needs Now (reprise)
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Julie Cullen