A Celebration of Burt Bacharach - What The World Needs Now

Burt Bacharach, the acclaimed composer and songwriter (who passed away last year aged 94), has had a profound impact on the music industry, inspiring countless songwriters and singers around the globe. The Jewish kid from New York hated his piano lessons, and was a poor school student, once stating that he was "lonely most of the time". His mum loved music but told him that it "is not a career I want you to have". At age 15, using the alias Happy Baxter, Burt started his own band, and frequented jazz clubs, which was a great way to meet girls! After a stint in the Korean War he started writing songs at the famous Brill Building, getting "a lot of rejections". Eventually, Bacharach’s fateful meeting with lyricist Hal David led to the creation of “Magic Moments”, their breakthrough song, which was recorded by Perry Como, marking the beginning of their legendary partnership. Bacharach’s enduring legacy is a testament to the timeless quality of great songwriting. His prolific career has yielded a remarkable catalogue of songs (over five hundred) that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. With 73 Top 40 hits in the US alone, and a slew of Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe Awards and the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, Bacharach’s work transcends time and trends. His music, spanning over six decades, demonstrates that a great song never goes out of style. His melodies are instantly recognizable, and his arrangements are both sophisticated and accessible. Bacharach’s influence on popular music is undeniable, and his legacy as a songwriting giant is secure.

To celebrate his life and music, Creative Director Mark Sutcliffe presents A Celebration of Burt Bacharach - What The World Needs Now. The concert is part of the MSO Icon Series which previously presented Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration of Olivia Newton-John and George Michael: Freedom! This World Premiere presentation (a two-hour, feel-good walk down memory lane) is undoubtedly a major coup for Melbourne audiences. The silence that descended upon the crowd, composed of many stalwart fans, was a clear indication of their desire for a serious and enjoyable musical experience.
Conductor Leonard Weiss (2016 Young Australian of the Year finalist) skilfully led the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as they unveiled an exquisite Overture, offering a delightful preview of the upcoming concert’s highlights. The string, horn and trumpet sections were truly exceptional, and the sublime orchestrations (arranged by Nicholas Buc and Jessica Wells) brought out the best of Bacharach’s signature sound. His compositions may seem simple and catchy when singing along, but they are musically complex. The MSO was augmented by a quartet of highly skilled, award winning musicians including Michael Tyack AM (keys), Troy Downward (guitar), Craig Newman (bass) and Kieran Rafferty (drums). Additional solos by guest saxophonist Tim Wilson added another layer of brilliance. The renowned vocal talents of David Campbell, Caroline O’Connor, Thndo, Jess Hitchcock, Chantelle Ormandy (lead and backing vocals), and Siobhan Ormandy (backing vocals) were entrusted with the task of interpreting a carefully curated selection of 27 of Bacharach’s most beloved and iconic compositions. The performance was a symphony of sight and sound, with the staging (Mark Sutcliffe), lighting design (Peter Rubie), and wardrobe (select pieces by Linda Britten) and Sue Main each playing their part in creating a truly unforgettable experience.

David Campbell OAM is a highly accomplished performer, excelling in both cabaret and stage roles. He has starred in productions such as Dream Lover - The Bobby Darin Musical, Les Misérables, and Shout!, with his cabaret show in New York receiving rave reviews and awards. Replicating the celebrated hits of Tom Jones, Herb Alpert, Elvis Costello, and Christopher Cross is a formidable challenge given their unique artistic imprints, and Campbell doesn't let us down! His solos included an exuberant and flamboyant rendition of 'What's New Pussycat?' whilst his performances of 'This Guy's in Love with You / I Just Don't Know What to do with Myself', 'God Give Me Strength', and the Academy Award winning 'Arthur's Theme' were highly emotive and sensitive.

Caroline O’Connor AM, is a renowned stage actress with a distinguished career spanning three continents, known for her numerous roles in productions including Chicago and Anastasia on Broadway. Despite her strong background in musical theatre (which might have made her an unconventional choice for singing Bacharach), her versatility, emotional connection, technical skills and dynamic expression during her solos of 'Anyone Who Had a Heart', 'You’ll Never Get to Heaven If You Break My Heart', and 'Walk on By', proved otherwise. Her rendition of 'Knowing When to Leave' (from Bacharach’s musical Promises, Promises) stayed true to her musical theatre roots and brought the house down on Act One.

First Lady of Soul and R&B, and finalist of the 2022 season of The Voice Australia, Thndo (Zimbabwean-Australian) continues to dominate stages around Australia. She weaves stories of strength, openness and conflict, with those of love and empowerment into her compositions and performances. Her extraordinary talent was showcased today in her impressive renditions of ‘Don’t Make Me Over’, ‘Only Love Can Break a Heart’, ‘Close to You’, and ‘I Say a Little Prayer’. Her magnetic stage presence exerts such a powerful pull, it’s nearly impossible to look away from her.

Melbourne based, indigenous singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock incredibly stepped in at the last minute as a replacement for Emma Pask, who sadly had laryngitis. She has performed with numerous Aussie legends including Tina Arena, Kate Miller-Heidke and Paul Kelly. Jess has also performed with the Bangarra Dance Theatre and Opera Queensland. Jess’s voice is a remarkable instrument, meticulously crafted to convey the full spectrum of emotion in her own compositions and in her renditions of other artists’ music. Her gift for storytelling shone through in her solo performances of “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”, “Wives & Lovers”, “Falling Out of Love”, and “The Look of Love”.

Chantelle and her sister Siobhan Ormandy are two highly experienced backup vocalists. Chantelle has shared the stage with Burt Bacharach on no less than eight occasions. Her contribution as a backing vocalist has earned her the title of “The Singer’s Singer” from the late Maestro Geoff Harvey OAM, a testament to her wide respect in the music industry. Siobhan has a diverse background that spans recording studios, radio, TV, theatre, and opera. Together, they have backed some of the most famous acts in the world, showcasing their combined decades of experience in the industry. One of the highlights of the performance was the song 'Alfie'. I've never been a fan of this song, until today, when Chantelle stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight, transforming the song into something truly remarkable. You could've heard a pin drop!

The duets and group numbers were also sublime. Duets included Campbell and O'Connor ('I'll Never Fall in Love Again'), Campbell and Hitchcock ('On My Own'), O'Connor and Chantelle ('One Less Bell / House is Not a Home'), and Campbell and Thndo ('Make it Easy on Yourself').

The entire cast performed 'Always Something There to Remind Me', 'What the World Needs Now' and two surprise encores 'That's What Friends Are For' and 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head'. The audience enthusiastically participated in the encores, singing and clapping along heartily. At the bows their thunderous applause, cheers, and whistles demonstrated their profound appreciation for the cast and orchestra.

Burt might be gone, but his songs will live forever! Not just for some - but for everyone!

Jonathan Cox
Photos: Nico Keenan