Scotland Sings Bacharach

Scotland Sings Bacharach

Produced by Perth Concert Hall, supported by Aberdeen Performing Arts, under the musical direction of Stuart Nisbet, a stellar cast of some of Scotland’s greatest singers and finest musicians come together to pay respect to a true giant of 20th century popular music.

Burt Bacharach had his first chart success in the 1950’s; the songs he co-wrote with Hal David soundtracked the 60’s and 70’s; he continued writing worldwide hits into the 80’s; collaborated with Elvis Costello and others throughout the 90’s and was still performing his songs live right up until 2019.

Packed with iconic hits, familiar favourites and the odd surprise, this very special evening will see a dazzling array of vocal talent and a brilliant big band celebrate and explore the many splendours of one of the greatest songbooks of all time.

Scotland Sings Bacharach will feature:

Justin Currie | Karine Polwart | Blue Rose Code | Georgia Cécile | Hamish Hawk | Horse | Emma Pollock

You’ll know more than you think!

• Walk On By (popularised by Dionne Warwick in 1964)
• What The World Needs Now (1965)
• I Say A Little Prayer (1967)
• The Look of Love (popularised by Dusty Springfield in 1967)
• Alfie (recorded by Cilla Black and Cher in 1966, and Dionne Warwick in 1967)
• I’ll Never Fall In Love Again (written for the 1968 musical Promises, Promises)
• Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head (1969)
• Close To You (popularised by The Carpenters in 1970)
• Arthur’s Theme (1981)

Burt Bacharach’s career began in the 1950s when he worked and toured with a number of singers including perhaps most notably, Marlene Dietrich. However, it was in 1956 that the musical partnership with lyricist Hal David began, and his career was truly established when The Story Of My Life, recorded by Perry Como, became their breakout song in 1957.

The 1960s launched Bacharach and David into the front ranks of pop songwriters with a streak of hits for Dionne Warwick, and established their classy, catchy musical standard. They went on to record with the likes of Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, and Tom Jones, as well as penning Oscar winning themes for big films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Arthur.

Later in the 80s Bacharach enjoyed his creations being recorded by the likes of Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, and in more recent decades he collaborated with Elvis Costello and Dr Dre. Cited as an influence by contemporary groups such as Oasis, REM, Massive Attack and the White Stripes, Bacharach gave his last performance in 2019 at the age of 91.

As one of the most prolific musical masterminds of the last century, his compositions were complex in nature but with an easy listening feel – never shying from a simple melody that was sure to get well stuck in your mind and memory.