(OUTscene NW) RE-view: When a legend, Burt Bacharach, plays at Seattle's Snoqualmie, You Go!

by MK Scott

I have had some great opportunities in the last few years to meet and review some of the Best singers and song writers of the Late 20th Century from Neil Diamond to Melissa Manchester to Kenny Loggins to Paul Williams. One the greatest songwriters, Burt Bacharach, appeared at Seattle's Snoqualmie Casino this past Thursday (January 23rd). You wouldn't call Bacharach a singer, but more of a Songwriter/Bandleader in the Marvin Hamlisch/Tommy Dorsey kind a way.

As I compared Paul Williams to being the composer of songs with a Gay Interest (Evergreen, Rainbow Connection), Bacharach has huge songbook of LGBT interest from the Look of Love (Used as the theme to Boys in the Band) to I say a little Prayer and Do You Know the Way to San Jose? to On my own and Close to You to the theme of Making Love. Who could also forget the first single to raise money for AIDS Research with That's what friends are for.

Also what Gay male doesn't enjoy the classic film, 'My Best Friend's Wedding' with Julia Roberts and Rupert Everett? Bacharach's music is the center of that film.


Bacharach doesn't write songs for Divas like Dionne Warrick and Dusty Springfield but he also makes his male singers sound good from Perry Como to BJ Thomas and Herb Albert to Christopher Cross.

During the show, Bacharach, 85, was surrounded by musicians and 3 singers starting with his best
What the World Needs Now Is Love and followed by a medley Don't Make Me Over / Walk on by / This Guy's in Love with You / I Say a Little Prayer / Trains, Boats & Planes / Wishin' & Hopin' / (There's) Always Something There to Remind Me.

Bacharach then introduced first 4 Hits with a Medley of Magic Moments / The Story Of My Life / The Blob / Tower of Strength.

Bacharach was the king of the movie theme song and presented this medley and even sang a few himself with The Look of Love / Arthur's Theme / What's New Pussycat / The World Is a Circle / April Fools / Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head / The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance / Making Love / Wives and Lovers  / Alfie!

The show ended with the Chuck Jackson classic, Any Day Now.

The first encore included 2 new songs from the musical “Some Lovers,” a collaboration with “Spring Awakening” Tony-winner Steve Sater that premiered at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 2011.

The Finale was a sing-a-long of Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head. It was great to see the legend in person as the music will continue to be timeless.