Review: CBSO/Burt Bacharach, at Birmingham Symphony Hall
The CBSO Big Band was out in force to charm a large audience in a wonderfully nostalgic evening of familiar Bacharach arrangements by conductor Richard Balcombe.
Four superb solo vocalists topped the bill and all was set for many well-loved tunes in this all-embracing show.
A galaxy of stars introduced Burt’s music to the unsuspecting world; 21year old Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Sandie Shaw, Ella Fitzgerald, Cilla Black . . . revelling in his timeless, imaginative writings.
It was refreshing to realise that the soloists enjoyed singing together as backings or individual voices, smiling and stimulating the delighted audience.
At times the balance between miked-up voices and sweeping strings for instance, was overpowering, but then we enjoyed the pizzazz as our smiling classical musicians willingly left their comfort zones to enter the spirited music of a bossa nova, Mexican-style brass, groovy cowboy style, raunchy film scores, swinging jazz waltzes et al.
Solo gems were there for saxophone, bassoons, bright trumpets, sonorous trombones: everything from rasping guiro to hectic drum kit, piano fill-ins and jazz guitars all adding texture to Balcombe’s ‘easy listening’ transcriptions.
Alison Jiear melted hearts with her passionate rendering of Alfiewhilst Graham Bickley contributed clear well balanced vocals plus chatty facts and funnies.
Close to You had a sexy interpretation from glamorous Abbie Osmon with come-hither eyes for the guys and secret smiles from colleagues.
Sarah Lark the fourth lovely lady was a delight in the classic What the World Needs Now. A great evening for all.
Maggie Cotton
