Walk On By

The Royal Festival Hall was packed on Friday with anticipation of meeting a musical giant. Burt Bacharach songs have been covered in there hundreds by a whole host of great musicians and in a variety of styles. One of my all standing favourites is Walk on By the original and a nerve chilling cover by the Stranglers.

On Friday night Burt was interviewed by Michael Grade for a TV special about his life and works and at 87 could ad-lib with aplomb although his frame was a little fragile and he walked like a wader across the stage taking care where he planted his feet as if edging across a reed bed before he parked himself behind the piano.

I especially loved the soft appealing squeal of the fugel horn as it periodically explodes with approval above the orchestra arrangements – so uniquely Bacharach.

The evening got better as several stars were introduced to sing his compositions.  Ellis Bextor ‘I’ll Never Fall in Love Again’ and ‘Close to You’ ; Joss Stone’s evocative ‘ Inbetween the Heartaches’ and Alfie Boe’s powerful rendition of ‘ If I Could Go Back’, Justin Hayward a careful but accomplished ‘What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love’; Rebecca Ferguson with her excellent vocal range on ‘ Walk on By’ and ‘ Say a Little Prayer’. His home team also sang with gusto Josie James and ‘ Anyone Who Had a Heart’, received a standing ovation, John Pagano with ‘ God Give Me Strength’, Donna Taylor and ‘ Waiting For Charlie to Come Home’. The movie medley included Arthur’s theme was a fitting tribute leading to a finale of ‘That’s What Friends are for.‘

Looking forward to seeing the BBC TV show as will Mum !

June 26th 2015. S/S/L/F

Posted by: Fawkes