To paraphrase the great man, some might say that what the world does not need now is another album of Burt Bacharach songs… and there’s plenty of evidence to support that submission. However, this new 18 tracker from Dutch singer Traincha is different … the exception that proves the above rule – why, it has Burt’s personal approval and he even gets to play piano on three of the cuts! Even if he hadn’t endorsed it, there are a number of reasons why the collection is so good. First, Ms. Traincha has a fine, emotive voice. Mr. B simply describes it as “damn good and musical!” (that always helps on vocal albums, doesn’t it?). Secondly, the album features a full orchestra (including a sweet string section) – guaranteed to bring out the best of Bacharach’s nuances. Thirdly, the lady and her producers and arrangers dare to be a little different in the arrangements – they don’t take liberties, but offer some new perspectives… and fourthly, though the LP features lots of accepted Burt B standards, there are also a fair share of more unusual Bacharach songs – old and new. The oldest is ‘Waiting For Charlie To Come Home’ (first recorded by Etta James in 1961) and the newest is Burt’s collaboration with Tim Rice – ‘Who’ll Speak For Love’. If you’re not familiar with the song it’s a delicate melody with the touch of theatrics you’d expect from Rice. Traincha also tackles two songs from Bacharach’s fruitful collaborations with Elvis Costello (‘This House Is Empty Now’ and ‘God Give Me Strength’) and ‘Love Is Still The Answer’ which was a collaboration with Stephen Krikorian. Of the better known, ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ is more Dionne W than Aretha – but no less convincing for that, while ‘They Long To Be Close To You’ features a new, heart-melting piano intro … and in essence that’s the attraction of the collection. The familiar has become new again. Bacharach’s lily hasn’t been gilded – rather, it’s been embellished!
(BB) 4/5
