Austin Chronicle, November 13, 1998: Difference between revisions

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The billing on the cover of ''Painted From Memory'' reads "Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach," but it ought to be the other way around, because the compositions on the album are dominated by Bacharach's signature melodies. Costello, however, is not a silent partner, and ''Painted From Memory'' is not the usual crop of breezy love songs that longtime Bacharach collaborator and lyricist Hal David helped pen. Despite the sugary orchestration — the lush strings, the omnipresent flugelhorn — these songs have an edge absent from Bacharach's successful confections of the Sixties and Seventies. That shouldn't be too surprising, as the post-punk poster boy has written some of the most hateful songs ever. What is surprising is how naturally Costello fits with one of the primary purveyors of the music he and his ilk rebelled against, and the top-notch quality of the overblown pop that the partnership has produced. Chief among them are the regret-laden "Tears at the Birthday Party," the charming romance of "The Sweetest Punch," and the bleak "God Give Me Strength" (originally from the 1996 film, ''Grace of My Heart''). The album is mostly Bacharach; but instead of sounding like he's following in the footsteps of Dionne Warwick or B.J. Thomas as the hired voice, Costello, with his razor-sharp pen here dulled slightly to fit the occasion, has helped produce some truly unique additions to the vast Bacharach catalog.
The billing on the cover of ''Painted From Memory'' reads "Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach," but it ought to be the other way around, because the compositions on the album are dominated by Bacharach's signature melodies. Costello, however, is not a silent partner, and ''Painted From Memory'' is not the usual crop of breezy love songs that longtime Bacharach collaborator and lyricist Hal David helped pen. Despite the sugary orchestration — the lush strings, the omnipresent flugelhorn — these songs have an edge absent from Bacharach's successful confections of the Sixties and Seventies. That shouldn't be too surprising, as the post-punk poster boy has written some of the most hateful songs ever.


What is surprising is how naturally Costello fits with one of the primary purveyors of the music he and his ilk rebelled against, and the top-notch quality of the overblown pop that the partnership has produced. Chief among them are the regret-laden "Tears at the Birthday Party," the charming romance of "The Sweetest Punch," and the bleak "God Give Me Strength" (originally from the 1996 film, ''Grace Of My Heart''). The album is mostly Bacharach; but instead of sounding like he's following in the footsteps of Dionne Warwick or B.J. Thomas as the hired voice, Costello, with his razor-sharp pen here dulled slightly to fit the occasion, has helped produce some truly unique additions to the vast Bacharach catalog.
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{{tags}}[[Painted From Memory]] {{-}} [[Burt Bacharach]] {{-}} [[Tears At The Birthday Party]] {{-}} [[The Sweetest Punch (song)|The Sweetest Punch]] {{-}} [[God Give Me Strength]] {{-}} [[Grace Of My Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|Grace Of My Heart]] {{-}} [[Hal David]] {{-}} [[Dionne Warwick]]
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[[Michael Bertin]] reviews ''[[Painted From Memory]]''.
[[Michael Bertin]] reviews ''[[Painted From Memory]]''.


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[[image:Painted From Memory album cover.jpg|180px|border|link=Painted From Memory]]


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Painted From Memory

Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach

Michael Bertin

3½ star reviews3½ star reviews3½ star reviews3½ star reviews

The billing on the cover of Painted From Memory reads "Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach," but it ought to be the other way around, because the compositions on the album are dominated by Bacharach's signature melodies. Costello, however, is not a silent partner, and Painted From Memory is not the usual crop of breezy love songs that longtime Bacharach collaborator and lyricist Hal David helped pen. Despite the sugary orchestration — the lush strings, the omnipresent flugelhorn — these songs have an edge absent from Bacharach's successful confections of the Sixties and Seventies. That shouldn't be too surprising, as the post-punk poster boy has written some of the most hateful songs ever.

What is surprising is how naturally Costello fits with one of the primary purveyors of the music he and his ilk rebelled against, and the top-notch quality of the overblown pop that the partnership has produced. Chief among them are the regret-laden "Tears at the Birthday Party," the charming romance of "The Sweetest Punch," and the bleak "God Give Me Strength" (originally from the 1996 film, Grace Of My Heart). The album is mostly Bacharach; but instead of sounding like he's following in the footsteps of Dionne Warwick or B.J. Thomas as the hired voice, Costello, with his razor-sharp pen here dulled slightly to fit the occasion, has helped produce some truly unique additions to the vast Bacharach catalog.


Tags: Painted From MemoryBurt BacharachTears At The Birthday PartyThe Sweetest PunchGod Give Me StrengthGrace Of My HeartHal DavidDionne Warwick

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The Austin Chronicle, November 13, 1998


Michael Bertin reviews Painted From Memory.

Images

Painted From Memory album cover.jpg

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