Burt Kempfert

Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach first collaborated on "God Give Me Strength," a sweeping ballad that functioned as the centerpiece in Allison Anders' Grace of My Heart. It was a stunning song in the tradition of Bacharach's classic '60s work and it was successful enough that the composers decided to collaborate on a full album, Painted from Memory. Wisely, they chose to work within the stylistic parameters of Bacharach's '60s material, but Painted from Memory never sounds like a stylistic exercise. Instead, it's a return to form for both artists. Bacharach hasn't written such graceful, powerful melodies since his glory days, and Costello hasn't crafted such a fully realized album since King of America. It's a testament to both that even if the album is clearly in Bacharach's territory, it feels like a genuine collaboration.

Who'll Speak for Love features Trijntje Oosterhuis singing at her very best; she breathes new life into these songs. When Trijntje sings, you listen–and you listen closely, too because what she does is truly incredible. It always amazes me just how sensitive Trijntje gets when she delivers fine ballads like the ones on this album. This CD gives us a lot of great material performed by Trijntje whose name in German is Traincha. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.

Ronald Isley - Here I Am - Isley Meets Burt Bacharach (2003)
R&B/Jazz Vocal | 1CD | Flac tracks+CUE+LOG+HQ Scans (600 dpi) | 534 mb
Label: DreamWorks

"Here I Am: Isley Meets Burt Bacharach is a soulful meeting between two musical giants who have stood the test of time exquisitely"
- David Wild, Rolling Stone