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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.78:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
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  Extras

    Burt Bacharach & Hal David - A Tribute To

    Image Entertainment/Warner Vision . R4 . COLOR . 108 mins . G . PAL

      Feature
    Contract

    While almost all music tends to be cyclical in popularity to an extent, occasionally somebody comes along that manages to transcend such fickleness and remain cool regardless. Burt Bacharach, the musical side and better-known face of the duo of Bacharach and David (who was the lyricist), is one such somebody, soundtracking a certain '60s way of looking at things divinely, and popping up as an icon to such latter day 'cool' people as Manchester mouths Oasis (there's a portrait of him on the cover of their debut long player Definitely Maybe) and, of course, Mike Myers' Austin Powers films.

    The reasons for such success are pretty simple when you think about it. A catchy melody is timeless, and a sincere and heartfelt lyric never goes out of style. Just look at some of the talent they penned hits for - Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Cilla Black, Sandie Shaw, The Walker Brothers, The Carpenters, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Gene Pitney (the less said about Neil Diamond's Heartlight and Christopher Cross' Arthur's Theme the better...). The two had an incredible songwriting chemistry that has left them responsible for more hits than most any other pair of tunesmiths in history, and these are songs that actually really mean something to people, often hitting straight at the heartstrings, at least for anyone who has a heart... just try listening to I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself after breaking up with somebody without degenerating into an absolute blubbering mess.

    This tribute to the incredible duo was held at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2000, in aid of the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy centre, which has been in existence for more than 25 years, helping the disabled through music. An eclectic mixture of performers gathered together to pay their respects, ranging from the up and coming to the extremely well-known, and even one of Bacharach and David's original '60s hit-makers in Dionne Warwick, who tackles her three biggest Hal and Burt tunes, as well as Aretha's I Say A Little Prayer. It may be rather questionable that she's involved with those "psychic friends" infomercials, but nobody in their right mind could ever question her incredible vocal talent, of which we get treated to an enthralling display here.

    Elsewhere, our host for the evening, former Radio Caroline pirate-DJ Johnnie Walker, who eventually went legit with the BBC, introduces us to the likes of new soul and jazz performers Lucie Silvas, Shola Ama, Sumudu Jayatilaka and Teish O'Day, big in Britain stars such as Kenny Lynch, panto regular and known eater of cars (!) Brian Conley and Bowie/Bolan/Zappa protégé Linda Lewis, plus those we all know such as Leo Sayer, Gallic-slurrer Sacha Distel, the simply godlike genius that is Elvis Costello (even if he's a little croaky at times here), and one of the fabbest '60s girlie pop icons there ever was, Petula Clark. Fans of '80s dance music may remember Yazz, with her simply frightening looking, closely cropped, white blonde hair and smash hit The Only Way is Up - she too pops up here, as wonderfully tall as ever (no bias towards Amazonian chicks here folks, oh no - not at all!) and with a shock of brunette hair tumbling over her shoulders making her look like the goddess we never knew she was. She's still got THAT wonderful voice, and delivers one of this show's highlights with her take on Do You Know the Way to San Jose - almost upstaging Dionne's version that follows later.

    Walker introduces each performer - usually accompanied by smatterings of Hal and Burt trivia, anecdotes and quotes - to quite wonderful effect. The almost ageless Bacharach himself shows up to partner Mr Costello on piano, and a rousing and very appropriate for our times all-in rendition of What the World Needs Now is Love that ends the show sees David pop up for his much-deserved place in the spotlight. Anyway, here's the track listing in full...

    Close to You/Alfie/Do You Know the Way to San Jose/ Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head instrumental medley - Leo Green
    Wives and Lovers - Kenny Lynch
    One Less Bell to Answer - Lucie Silvas
    Don’t Make Me Over - Lynden David Hall
    Reach Out For Me - Brian Kennedy
    Do You Know the Way to San Jose - Yazz
    You'll Never Get to Heaven - Shola Ama
    Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head - Sacha Distel
    This Guy's in Love With You - Paul Carrack
    A House is Not a Home - Petula Clark
    Wishin' and Hopin' - Petula Clark
    Close to You - Petula Clark
    (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me - Leo Sayer
    Alfie - Sumudu Jayatilaka
    I'll Never Fall in Love Again - Brian Kennedy
    What's New Pussycat? - Brian Conley
    Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa - Brian Conley
    I Just Have to Breathe - Teish O'Day
    Make it Easy on Yourself - Edwin Starr
    The Look of Love - Linda Lewis
    I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself - Elvis Costello & Burt
    Walk On By/I Say A Little Prayer/Do You Know the Way to San Jose medley - Dionne Warwick
    Anyone Who Had a Heart - Dionne Warwick
    What the World Needs Now is Love - ensemble

      Video
    Contract

    Well, right up front we can state that there are no signs of any grain or film artefacts, as this presentation is shot (lovingly) on video. Made for Japanese television, it bears all the hallmarks of a classy production, including 16x9 enhanced, 1.78:1 vision. The colour is rich without diving into over-saturation, especially commendable considering some of the full-on blue and red lighting effects throughout, there's plenty of detail in darker shots such as audience cutaways, and things are remarkably sharp with only very occasional instances of aliasing or shimmer, which are scarcely noticeable and certainly not intrusive.

      Audio
    Contract

    Two mixes are on offer, a fairly standard Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo mix, and a rather delightful one in 5.1. The latter makes only subtle use of the surrounds for a bit of ambience and to round out noises that are supposed to come from behind you such as applause, and the subwoofwoof gets to round out the kick drum gently but effectively. Separation across the front is handled well, with vocals predominantly front and centre as they should be, and synching is right on. As for the music, well hopefully that's covered in sufficient detail above.

      Extras
    Contract

    Not a sausage, nor even a cracker. Some biographies on the performances would have been appreciated, especially for some of the lesser knowns appearing, however they are at least covered a little in the between song introductions included in the main programme.

      Overall  
    Contract

    Sheer songwriting genius, paid tribute to by a varied, but unquestionably talented (well, the jury's out on that Riverdance guy Brian Kennedy) array of performers. If you are a fan of Bacharach and David's mastery then this concert DVD, complete with fabulous sound and vision, should have you captivated from start to finish.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=1139
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      And I quote...
    "Sheer songwriting genius - if you are a fan of Bacharach and David's mastery then this concert DVD should have you captivated from start to finish..."
    - Amy Flower
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Pioneer DV-535
    • TV:
          Sony 68cm
    • Receiver:
          Onkyo TX-DS494
    • Speakers:
          DB Dynamics Eclipse RBS662
    • Centre Speaker:
          DB Dynamics Eclipse ECC442
    • Surrounds:
          DB Dynamics Eclipse ECR042
    • Subwoofer:
          DTX Digital 4.8
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard RCA
    • Video Cables:
          Standard Component RCA
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