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| Burt Bacharach - Photo: GQ Italia |
(Venice, Italy) "Magic Moments" was one of Burt Bacharach's very first hits, and that is what he gave the full-house audience at Teatro La Fenice on Sunday night, July 20th --- some very Magic Moments.
Sung by Perry Como back in 1958, "Magic Moments" reminds us how long the 86-year-old Bacharach has been providing background music for the highs and lows of our lives. "Baby it's You" by the Shirelles in 1961, and again by the Beatles in 1963, and again by the Smiths in 1969; "Blue on Blue" by Bobby Vinton in 1963; "Walk on By" by Dionne Warwick in 1964; "Wishin' and Hopin'" by Dusty Springfield in 1964 were the beginnings of the world's love affair with Burt Bacharach, which continues to this day -- after collaborating with Elvis Costello and appearing in the Austin Powers films, Bacharach was embraced by another generation.
Bacharach gazed out at La Fenice and remarked how beautiful the theater was; what a wonderful setting. And La Fenice did look especially beautiful on Sunday, the day of Redentore.The mood was festive and anticipatory -- after all, the man is 86-years-old; how well could he possibly perform?
It turned out: very well, indeed. Burt Bacharach exceeded expectations with one of the best shows I have ever seen in my life. Yes, his voice cracked, and he had some difficulty walking, but he played the piano with ease, and his band was tight; he called them a family.
In fact, his very young son, Oliver, who looked like he was about 20, had joined him on the tour on keyboards. Bacharach was emotional when he said how much it meant to have his son with him.
Sung by Perry Como back in 1958, "Magic Moments" reminds us how long the 86-year-old Bacharach has been providing background music for the highs and lows of our lives. "Baby it's You" by the Shirelles in 1961, and again by the Beatles in 1963, and again by the Smiths in 1969; "Blue on Blue" by Bobby Vinton in 1963; "Walk on By" by Dionne Warwick in 1964; "Wishin' and Hopin'" by Dusty Springfield in 1964 were the beginnings of the world's love affair with Burt Bacharach, which continues to this day -- after collaborating with Elvis Costello and appearing in the Austin Powers films, Bacharach was embraced by another generation.
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| Burt Bacharach & Elvis Costello - Austin Powers - The Spy who Shagged Me |
It turned out: very well, indeed. Burt Bacharach exceeded expectations with one of the best shows I have ever seen in my life. Yes, his voice cracked, and he had some difficulty walking, but he played the piano with ease, and his band was tight; he called them a family.
In fact, his very young son, Oliver, who looked like he was about 20, had joined him on the tour on keyboards. Bacharach was emotional when he said how much it meant to have his son with him.
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| Interior Teatro La Fenice |
Burt Bacharach and his posse opened the show with "What the World needs now is Love," which was first a hit for Jackie DeShannon back in 1965.
The audience clapped with joy, everyone from the plateau up to the
tiers at the top of the opera house.
With so much tension in the world these days, that simple message written by lyricist Hal David, who died in 2012 at the age of 91, was especially poignant: "What the world needs now is love, sweet love, it's the only thing that there's just too little of."
Here's a clip from In Performance at the White House after the team won the Library of Contest Gershwin Prize in 2012:
Bacharach remarked that the movies have been very good to him over the years -- it is astonishing how many of his songs were written for soundtracks, such as "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, "Alfie" for Alfie, "Arthur's Theme" for Arthur -- and who can ever forget Tom Jones belting out "What's New Pussycat" as frenzied women tossed their panties on the stage.
"The Look of Love" is probably my favorite Bacharach song, full of romance and sensuality; it has been recorded by many artists over the years. Here's the original version by Dusty Springfield from 1967 James Bond film Casino Royale.
There were so many hits, it is not possible to list them all, but you will remember: "This Guy's in Love with You" made famous by Herb Alpert. "I Say a Little Prayer" by Aretha Franklin and then Dionne Warwick, who also promised: "I'll Never Fall in Love Again." "Close to You" by the Carpenters. "One Less Bell to Answer" by the Fifth Dimension. The 1962 hit for Gene Pitney, "Only Love Can Break a Heart. Dionne Warwick again: "Always Something There to Remind Me." "A House is Not a Home." And, of course, "That's What Friends are For" with Dionne Warwick and the whole gang -- Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight.
Burt Bacharach was here in collaboration with the Venezia Jazz Festival; his early background lies in jazz. In fact, the Venezia Jazz Festival is filling the whole town with excellent music throughout the second half of July.
Venezia Jazz Festival is the Venice section of the larger Veneto Jazz Festival, which has been organizing jazz performances throughout the region since 1988 with international stars like Keith Jarret, Bobby McFerrin, Paolo Conte, Norah Jones, Pat Metheny, Wynton Marsalis, Sting with the Symphony Orchestra of Teatro La Fenice, Cesaria Evora , Paco De Lucia, and Gilberto Gil appearing on the scene.
Burt Bacharach ended the evening with an audience sing-along of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," the entire theater standing on its feet, applauding with genuine appreciation.
Bacharach said, very sincerely, that he had really enjoyed himself; that we were a great audience, and that he had a very, very good time. He walked slowly off the stage, the band still playing, as his young son, Oliver, waved at the crowd from behind the keyboards.
Thank you, Burt Bacharach, for all the Magic Moments you have given me in my life. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have heard the Maestro at the beautiful Teatro La Fenice -- and to be reminded that I believe in love, Alfie.
Ciao from Venezia,
Cat Bauer
Venetian Cat - The Venice Blog
ALFIE
by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
...or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it is wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
what will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more --
something even non-believers can believe in...
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.
With so much tension in the world these days, that simple message written by lyricist Hal David, who died in 2012 at the age of 91, was especially poignant: "What the world needs now is love, sweet love, it's the only thing that there's just too little of."
Here's a clip from In Performance at the White House after the team won the Library of Contest Gershwin Prize in 2012:
Bacharach remarked that the movies have been very good to him over the years -- it is astonishing how many of his songs were written for soundtracks, such as "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, "Alfie" for Alfie, "Arthur's Theme" for Arthur -- and who can ever forget Tom Jones belting out "What's New Pussycat" as frenzied women tossed their panties on the stage.
"The Look of Love" is probably my favorite Bacharach song, full of romance and sensuality; it has been recorded by many artists over the years. Here's the original version by Dusty Springfield from 1967 James Bond film Casino Royale.
There were so many hits, it is not possible to list them all, but you will remember: "This Guy's in Love with You" made famous by Herb Alpert. "I Say a Little Prayer" by Aretha Franklin and then Dionne Warwick, who also promised: "I'll Never Fall in Love Again." "Close to You" by the Carpenters. "One Less Bell to Answer" by the Fifth Dimension. The 1962 hit for Gene Pitney, "Only Love Can Break a Heart. Dionne Warwick again: "Always Something There to Remind Me." "A House is Not a Home." And, of course, "That's What Friends are For" with Dionne Warwick and the whole gang -- Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight.
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| Veneto Jazz Festival |
Venezia Jazz Festival is the Venice section of the larger Veneto Jazz Festival, which has been organizing jazz performances throughout the region since 1988 with international stars like Keith Jarret, Bobby McFerrin, Paolo Conte, Norah Jones, Pat Metheny, Wynton Marsalis, Sting with the Symphony Orchestra of Teatro La Fenice, Cesaria Evora , Paco De Lucia, and Gilberto Gil appearing on the scene.
Burt Bacharach ended the evening with an audience sing-along of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," the entire theater standing on its feet, applauding with genuine appreciation.
Bacharach said, very sincerely, that he had really enjoyed himself; that we were a great audience, and that he had a very, very good time. He walked slowly off the stage, the band still playing, as his young son, Oliver, waved at the crowd from behind the keyboards.
Thank you, Burt Bacharach, for all the Magic Moments you have given me in my life. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have heard the Maestro at the beautiful Teatro La Fenice -- and to be reminded that I believe in love, Alfie.
Ciao from Venezia,
Cat Bauer
Venetian Cat - The Venice Blog
ALFIE
by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
...or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it is wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
what will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more --
something even non-believers can believe in...
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.
"Magic Moments" was one of Burt Bacharach's very first hits, and that is what he gave the full-house audience at La Fenice on Sunday night, July 20th --- some very Magic Moments.
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