Time, 1998-09-28 
The Arts/Short Takes/Music
Painted From Memory Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach
By Bruce Handy

It's an inspired pairing: as composers, both men have a knack for knotty yet
supple melodies, and Costello's bitter takes on romance are not far removed from
the sometimes jaundiced eye of Bacharach's best partner, lyricist Hal David. Two
years ago, Costello and Bacharach co-wrote the song God Give Me Strength,
included here, for the film Grace of My Heart. If only the rest of this album
were up to that stunningly well-crafted peak. Bacharach brings out a new
directness in Costello's singing and verse, but the millstone is cloying
production. These engagingly sinuous tunes deserve better than cheesy keyboards
and smooth-jazz guitar licks more suited to a Lionel Richie album.