Composer Burt Bacharach died last month at the age of 84. His frequent collaborator lyricist Hal David predeceased him in 2012. This post is a tribute to two men who brought a lot of great music into the world. Thanks, y’all.
Bacharach and David wrote The Look Of Love in 1967. It came into the world as an instrumental with a Bossa Nova beat first recorded by Stan Getz. It kept the beat after Hal David added his flirty lyrics and made it a hit.
The Look Of Love appeared in the off-brand Bond film Casino Royale. It was nominated for best song but didn’t win. The Oscars Burt and Hal are holding in the featured image are for Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.
We begin at the beginning with Dusty Springfield.
The inimitable Nina Simone cut an early version of the Bacharach-David classic.
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 had a monster hit with The Look Of Love in 1967. The band name confuses things, but they sure knew how to Bossa Nova.
Susanna Hoffs covered the song for the first Austin Powers movie, baby.
Eagles frontman Glenn Frey cut the song in 2012:
Finally, the Divine Diana Krall with a jazzy interpretation of Bacharach and David’s masterpiece.
What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without jazz instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, Stan Getz who was the first to record The Look Of Love followed by the composer himself.
That’s it for this week. I propose a toast in memory of the late Burt Bacharach. It’s what Frank Sinatra and Burt’s ex-wife Angie Dickinson would want. Never argue with them.
All great versions of the song, but my favorite will always be Dusty’s sultry interpretation. The one by Glenn Frey is lovely too. Just saw the Eagles in concert last weekend, with Glenn’s son Deacon singing some of his dad’s signature songs.