The Songs of Bacharach & Costello

Last updated

8⁄10 [4]
The Songs of Bacharach & Costello
Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello - The Songs of Bacharach & Costello.jpg
Compilation album by
Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello
ReleasedMarch 3, 2023 (2023-03-03)
Recorded1995–2022, intermittently
Genre
Length179:50
LanguageEnglish
Label UMe
Producer
Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello chronology
Painted from Memory
(1998)		The Songs of Bacharach & Costello
(2023)
Burt Bacharach chronology
At This Time
(2005)		The Songs of Bacharach & Costello
(2023)
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Paste 8.0⁄10 [6]
Pitchfork 8.4⁄10 [7]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [8]

The Songs of Bacharach & Costello received positive reviews from critics noted at review aggregator Metacritic. It has a weighted average score of 87 out of 100, based on seven reviews. [2]

Editors at AllMusic rated this album 4 out of 5 stars, with critic Mark Deming writing that while "this collection wasn't intended to be a memorial" being released weeks after Bacharach's death, "the deep dive into one of his last major collaborations pays worthy homage to his skill and dedication to craft, and every moment testifies to Costello's towering respect for the great man". [3] Lee Zimmerman of American Songwriter characterizes this as "a sumptuous box set and one that's mined with obvious depth and devotion". [9] Emma Harrison of Clash Music rated this an 8 out of 10, calling it "a thoughtful and sensitively crafted project showcasing an awe-inspiring collection of carefully-crafted tracks" as well as "a touching tribute" to Bacharach. [4] Writing for Louder Than War , Angela Joenck Watt called this compilation "a stunning tribute to the partnership between two of popular music's greatest songwriters". [10] In Mojo , John Aizlewood rated this compilation 4 out of 5 stars, praising the Taken from Life disc in particular and summing up that it is "a treasure trove within a set that defines how well collaborations can work". [5] musicOMH 's Ian Wade wrote an overview of compilations and reissues released at the time, and called The Songs of Bacharach & Costello an "exhaustive and gorgeous release" that is "beautiful". [11]

Saby Reyes-Kulkarni of Paste gave the box set an 8.0 out of 10, highlithting Costello's "wit and humor" and writing that the bonus material as well as the remaster of Painted from Memory justify this release, which she calls "a historic pairing of musical minds". [6] Editors at Pitchfork chose this as Best New Reissue of the week and critic Stephen M. Deusner rated it an 8.4 out of 10, for showing "just how durable these songs are, precisely because they're so malleable, so open to whatever Costello or Wilson or you might bring to them" and calling it "a heartfelt eulogy" for Bacharach. [7] In Uncut Deusner gave a second review, with this album getting 4.5 out of 5 stars, writing that the Taken from Life collection "offer[s] a fascinating new perspective on the collaboration". [8] Marc Myers of The Wall Street Journal writes that Bacharach's death makes "the new box take on fresh import" and speculates that this music "may turn out to be both artists' most significant and heartfelt work". [12]

Stuart Monroe of The Boston Globe listed this among the nine best album reissues of 2023. [13]

Track listing

All songs written by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello, except where noted.

Disc one: Painted from Memory (2023 remaster) by Bacharach and Costello

  1. "In the Darkest Place" – 4:20
  2. "Toledo" – 4:33
  3. "I Still Have That Other Girl" – 2:48
  4. "This House Is Empty Now" – 5:09
  5. "Tears at the Birthday Party" – 4:39
  6. "Such Unlikely Lovers" – 3:27
  7. "My Thief" – 4:18
  8. "The Long Division" – 4:12
  9. "Painted from Memory" – 4:12
  10. "The Sweetest Punch" – 4:09
  11. "What's Her Name Today?" – 4:07
  12. "God Give Me Strength" – 6:10
Some editions include the first track from disc two as the 13th track of disc one.

Disc two: Taken from Life, compositions by Bacharach and Costello recorded by various artists

  1. "You Can Have Her" by Elvis Costello – 5:08
  2. "Painted from Memory" by Bill Frisell and Cassandra Wilson  – 4:11
  3. "Don't Look Now" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello & The Imposters – 2:31
  4. "Everyone's Playing House" by Elvis Costello & The Imposters – 3:06
  5. "I Looked Away" by Audra Mae  – 2:38
  6. "Taken from Life" by Elvis Costello & The Imposters – 4:21
  7. "My Thief" by Don Byron by Bill Frisell – 4:32
  8. "Shameless" by Jenni Muldaur  – 4:32
  9. "Photographs Can Lie" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello & The Imposters – 3:40
  10. "In the Darkest Place" by Audra Mae – 3:30
  11. "Why Won't Heaven Help Me?" by Elvis Costello & The Imposters – 3:23
  12. "Stripping Paper" by Jenni Muldaur – 3:36
  13. "He's Given Me Things" by Elvis Costello & The Imposters – 4:13
  14. "What's Her Name Today?" by Audra Mae – 3:45
  15. "Look Up Again" by Elvis Costello – 5:18
  16. "Lie Back & Think of England" by Burt Bacharach – 2:08

Disc three: Because It's a Lonely World – Live, live recordings by Elvis Costello

  1. "Toledo" by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve (live in Tokyo, Japan, Nakano Sunplaza Hall, February 8, 1999) – 5:05
  2. "In the Darkest Place" by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve (live in Melbourne, Australia, Athenaeum Theatre, February 16, 1999) – 4:43
  3. "My Thief" by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve (live in Tokyo, Japan, Nakano Sunplaza Hall, February 8, 1999) – 5:20
  4. "I Still Have That Other Girl" by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve (live in Tokyo, Japan, Shibuya Hall, February 10, 1999) – 3:16
  5. "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (Bacharach and Hal David) by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve (live in Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall, June 16, 1999) – 3:42
  6. "God Give Me Strength" by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve (live in Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall, June 16, 1999) – 5:08
  7. "Painted from Memory" by Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve, and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra (live in Stockholm, Sweden, Berwaldhallen, January 5, 1999) – 4:12
  8. "What's Her Name Today?" by Elvis Costello, Steve Nieve, and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra (live in Stockholm, Sweden, Berwaldhallen, January 5, 1999) – 4:29
  9. "This House Is Empty Now" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello (live in New York City, Late Night with Conan O'Brien , November 27, 1998) – 4:13

Disc four: Costello Sings Bacharach / David, Costello performing songs by Bacharach and Hal David

  1. "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions (live at University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, October 17, 1977) – 2:18
  2. "Baby It's You" by Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe  – 3:16
  3. "Please Stay" by Elvis Costello – 4:51
  4. "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello (live in Toronto, Ontario at Massey Hall, June 16, 1999) – 3:21
  5. "Make It Easy on Yourself" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello (live in London at Royal Festival Hall, October 29, 1998) – 3:19
  6. "My Little Red Book" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello (live in London at Royal Festival Hall, October 29, 1998) – 2:49
  7. "Anyone Who Had a Heart" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello (live in London at Royal Festival Hall, October 29, 1998) – 4:07
  8. "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello (live in New York City, Sessions at West 54th, October 18, 1998) – 3:05

Personnel

Additional personnel

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvis Costello</span> English singer-songwriter (born 1954)

Declan Patrick MacManus, better known by his stage name Elvis Costello, is an English songwriter, singer, record producer, author and television presenter. Music critics consider Costello to be one of the most gifted and versatile songwriters of his generation. His first album, My Aim Is True (1977), is widely regarded as one of the best debut albums in popular music history. The album spawned no hit singles, but contains some of Costello's best-known songs, including the ballad "Alison". Costello's next two albums, This Year's Model (1978) and Armed Forces (1979), recorded with his backing band the Attractions, helped define the new wave music genre. From late 1977 through early 1980, each of the eight singles he released reached the UK Top 30. His biggest hit single, "Oliver's Army" (1979) sold more than 400,000 copies in Britain. He has had more modest commercial success in the US but has earned much praise among music critics. From 1977 through the early 2000s, Costello's albums regularly ranked high on the Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics' poll, with This Year's Model and Imperial Bedroom (1982) voted the best album of their respective years. His biggest US hit single, "Veronica" (1989), reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burt Bacharach</span> American pianist, composer, songwriter and producer (1928–2023)

Burt Freeman Bacharach was an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music.

<i>Almost Blue</i> 1981 studio album by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Almost Blue is the sixth studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, and his fifth with the Attractions—keyboardist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas. It was recorded in May 1981 in Nashville, Tennessee, and released in October the same year. A departure from Costello's previous works, it is a covers album composed entirely of country music songs, including works written by Hank Williams and George Jones. The project originated with Costello's desire to record a collection of covers after his two previous studio albums commercially underperformed following Armed Forces (1979).

<i>King of America</i> 1986 studio album by the Costello Show featuring the Attractions and the Confederates

King of America is the tenth studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, released on 21 February 1986. Co-produced by Costello and T Bone Burnett, the album originated following a series of tours the two made under the name "the Coward Brothers". Recording took place in mid-1985 at various studios in Los Angeles, California, with a group of American session musicians dubbed "the Confederates". Selected by Burnett, they included Ray Brown, Earl Palmer and former members of Elvis Presley's TCB Band. Costello's regular backing band, the Attractions, were intended to appear on half of the album before poor sessions led to them appearing on only one track, "Suit of Lights".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Attractions</span> UK musical group

The Attractions were an English backing band for the English new wave musician Elvis Costello between 1977 and 1986, and again from 1994 to 1996. They consisted of Steve Nieve (keyboards), Bruce Thomas, and Pete Thomas (drums). They also released one album as an independent entity, without Costello, in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Nieve</span> English musician and composer

Steve Nieve is an English musician and composer. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Nieve has been a member of Elvis Costello's backing bands the Attractions and the Imposters, as well as Madness. He has also experienced success as a prolific session musician, featured on a wide array of other artists' recordings.

<i>Goodbye Cruel World</i> (Elvis Costello album) 1984 studio album by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

Goodbye Cruel World is the ninth studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, and his eighth with the Attractions—keyboardist Steve Nieve, bassist Bruce Thomas and drummer Pete Thomas. It was released on 18 June 1984 through F-Beat Records in the United Kingdom and Columbia Records in the United States. Produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who returned from 1983's Punch the Clock, the album was recorded at London's Sarm West Studios in March 1984 during a period of turmoil for the artist. The problematic sessions included disagreements between Costello and the producers over the album's direction and high tensions amongst the Attractions.

<i>Painted from Memory</i> 1998 studio album by Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello

Painted from Memory is a collaboration between Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach. It was released 29 September 1998 on Mercury Records, a division of Universal Music Group.

<i>The Delivery Man</i> 2004 studio album by Elvis Costello and The Imposters

The Delivery Man is the 21st studio album by Elvis Costello, released on Lost Highway Records, B0002593-02. It was recorded with the Imposters at Sweet Tea Studio in Oxford, Mississippi. It peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard 200.

<i>My Flame Burns Blue</i> 2006 live album by Elvis Costello with the Metropole Orkest

My Flame Burns Blue is the twenty-second album by Elvis Costello, released on Deutsche Grammophon. It consists of recordings from the North Sea Jazz Festival in July 2004, made with Steve Nieve and The Metropole Orkest conducted by Vince Mendoza. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Jazz albums chart and at No. 188 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Cruel Smile</i> 2002 compilation album by Elvis Costello and the Imposters

Cruel Smile is a 2002 album by Elvis Costello and the Imposters. It consists of B-sides and leftover material from the When I Was Cruel sessions.

<i>The Juliet Letters</i> 1993 studio album by Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet

The Juliet Letters is a studio album by the British rock singer and songwriter Elvis Costello and British string quartet Brodsky Quartet. It was released on compact disc as Warner Brothers 45180. Costello described the album as "a song sequence for string quartet and voice and it has a title. It's a little bit different. It's not a rock opera. It's a new thing." It peaked at No. 18 on the UK Albums Chart, and at No. 125 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Costello & Nieve</i> 1996 live album by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve

Costello & Nieve is a limited edition five-disc 1996 live album by Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve recorded in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and New York City, which was released in the US only.

<i>Live at the El Mocambo</i> (Elvis Costello album) 1993 live album by Elvis Costello and The Attractions

Live at the El Mocambo is a 1993 live album by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Recorded on March 6, 1978, from a live radio broadcast by CHUM-FM in Toronto. A tape of the broadcast was obtained by the Canadian division of CBS records and released as an exclusive Canadian promotional album in the same year. As the show's fame began to grow, it became heavily bootlegged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvis Costello discography</span>

The discography of the English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello includes 32 studio albums, 6 live albums, 16 compilation albums, 6 tribute albums, 2 extended plays, 62 singles and 4 box sets. This page distinguishes between United States and United Kingdom release dates and record labels. Of note are the reissue series, Costello's back catalogue having undergone reissue three times by three different companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watching the Detectives (song)</span> 1977 single by Elvis Costello

"Watching the Detectives" is a 1977 single by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. Inspired by the Clash and Bernard Herrmann, the song features a reggae beat and cynical lyrics.

<i>National Ransom</i> 2010 studio album by Elvis Costello

National Ransom is the 2010 studio album by Elvis Costello. It was recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles with American songwriter and producer T Bone Burnett, and was released on 25 October 2010 on the Hear Music label. The album was received positively, earning a score of 79/100 on the review aggregate website Metacritic.

<i>At This Time</i> 2005 studio album by Burt Bacharach

At This Time is an album by American pianist, composer and music producer Burt Bacharach, released in 2005 through Columbia Records. Guests include Elvis Costello and Rufus Wainwright. In 2006, it won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

<i>Look Now</i> 2018 studio album by Elvis Costello and the Imposters

Look Now is the 30th studio album by singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and his band The Imposters.

"Jack of All Parades" is a song by English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, which was released on his tenth studio album King of America (1986). The song was written by Costello, credited under his real name Declan MacManus, and produced by T Bone Burnett, Costello and Larry Kalman Hirsch. As a musician, Costello is credited on the track as "The Little Hands of Concrete". It is a love song, inspired by his new relationship with Cait O'Riordan of the Pogues, and is unusual in Costello's catalogue for being a positive love song.

References

  1. ↑ Costello, Elvis (February 2023). "2023 Albums Preview". Uncut . NME Networks. p. 54.
  2. 1 2 "The Songs of Bacharach & Costello [Super Deluxe Edition Box Set] by Elvis Costello Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. n.d. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Deming, Mark (n.d.). "Burt Bacharach, Elvis Costello – The Songs of Bacharach & Costello". AllMusic . RhythmOne . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Harrison, Emma (February 3, 2023). "Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach – The Songs Of Bacharach & Costello". Clash Music . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Aizlewood, John (March 3, 2023). "Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach Reviewed". New Music. Mojo . ISSN   1351-0193 . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Reyes-Kulkarni, Saby (March 13, 2023). "The Songs of Bacharach & Costello: A Heartfelt Document of an Odd But Historic Pairing". Music > Reviews. Paste . ISSN   1540-3106 . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Deusner, Stephen M. (March 7, 2023). "Elvis Costello / Burt Bacharach: The Songs of Bacharach & Costello (Super Deluxe) Album Review". Albums. Pitchfork . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Deusner, Stephen (March 24, 2023). "Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach – The Songs Of Bacharach & Costello". Reviews > Albums. Uncut . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  9. ↑ Zimmerman, Lee (March 16, 2023). "Review: Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello Paint the Music of Memory". Reviews > Album Reviews. American Songwriter . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ Joenck Watt, Angela (March 8, 2023). "Burt Bacharach & Elvis Costello: The Songs of Bacharach & Costello – album review". Louder Than War . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  11. ↑ Wade, Ian (March 1, 2023). "Reissues Roundup: De La Soul, Britney Spears, Pink Floyd". musicOMH . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  12. ↑ Myers, Marc (March 9, 2023). "'The Songs of Bacharach and Costello': An Unlikely Pair's Pop Poetry" . Books & Arts | Music Review. Wall Street Journal . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  13. ↑ Weininger, David; Hirsh, Marc; Munro, Stuart (December 21, 2023). "The Velvet Underground, Nirvana, Stax soul, and more: 9 great album reissues of 2023". The Boston Globe . ISSN   0743-1791. OCLC   66652431 . Retrieved December 21, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.