Burt Bacharach was called the “greatest living composer” by the Grammy panel that gave him a lifetime achievement award in 2008. He has enjoyed major hits in a variety of musical genres, including Top-40, pop, soul, R&B, jazz, country, and movie soundtracks. He has also collaborated with a host of major lyricists, including Hal David and Bob Hilliard. On a list of post-1956 songwriters, Bacharach has had 133 hits and ranks No. 6 – right after Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and the Motown team of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. Put in perspective, Bacharach is a direct link to the great composers of the ‘30s and ‘40s – and author of the American Songbook’s final chapter. This splendid LP edition presents Burt Bacharach’s most essential and enduring works from the beginning of his career, gathering a variety of the great sides he composed (and in several cases, also arranged) for different labels, between 1955 and 1962. Included here are classics like Dionne Warwick’s “Don’t Make Me Over,” Gene Pitney’s “Only Love Can Break a Heart,” Tommy Hunt’s “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself,” and The Shirelles’ “Baby It’s You,” to name a few. Our release also contains lesser-heard tracks, which are just as enjoyable as the hits, such as Jimmy Radcliffe’s “Long After Tonight Is All Over,” and Jack Jones’ “Dreamin’ All the Time,” as well as Bacharach himself at the piano performing “Rosanne”. All of this material represents a formidable slice of popular culture and allows you to experience some of the finest gems of the pop and soul genres.
