Name: Back To Bacharach by Michael Ball
Brand: Michael Ball
SKU: 602517486867
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 2.5 (84 reviews)

ALBUM

When an artist has a loyal and never fading fan base, has been a star of the stage in London's West End, has recorded several albums of theater-related music, and has even entered the Eurovision Song Contest -- and if everything the artist touches has been a hit -- he could record almost anything he chooses. When that artist is Michael Ball, he chose to release an album of standards written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David titled Back to Bacharach for the Christmas season of 2007, an ideal choice for someone of Ball's easy laid-back style, the modern-day answer to Andy Williams or Perry Como, even if he didn't set out to become that. Virtually all the songs on Back to Bacharach were so well-known that it would be difficult not to compare them to the originals; the only difficulty would be knowing exactly which artist did record the original, since all of them had been so well-covered both by famous and not quite so famous singers. There was nothing to stretch the imagination here, versions of "The Look of Love," "Alfie," "(They Long to Be) Close to You," and "This Guy's in Love with You," all performed in the blandest of vocal styles, perfectly in tune, very pleasant, no chance of alienating any existing fan, but even less chance of acquiring any new ones. The problem with the album lay with the presentation of the songs in such a laid-back style; even when he attempted to inject some dramatic sounds, such as on "Anyone Who Had a Heart," it was nowhere near as exciting as the Cilla Black version over 40 years previously. In former versions, "Make It Easy on Yourself" and "Arthur's Theme" were both satisfying songs and full of richness, but Ball stripped them of all emotions and left them as little more than album filler (which of course they were), but no more so than the lesser-known songs on the album, "This House Is Empty Now" and "Reach Out for Me," the former sounding like a workaday musical song and the latter another attempt at Eurovision. Michael Ball can and has done better than this.
© Sharon Mawer /TiVo

1. The Look Of Love

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Alto Flute: Phil Todd; Performer
Alto Saxophone: Andy Macintosh
James Talbot; Performer
Author: Hal David; Production
Musical Director: Peter J Murray; Production
Baritone Saxophone: David Bishop; Performer
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Bass Clarinet: James Talbot; Performer
Bass Trombone: Dave Stewart; Performer
Double Bass: Mark Hodgson; Performer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Engineer: Jan Holzner
David Westerhout
James Mcmillan; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Flugelhorn: John Barclay
Pat White
Simon Gardner
Derek Watkins; Performer
Guitar: John Parricelli
Mark Jaimes; Performer
Performer: Andy Macintosh
Phil Todd
Mark Nightingale
Mark Hodgson
David Bishop
Simon Gardner
Pat White
Stan Sulzmann
Michael Ball
Dave Stewart
Pete Murray
James Talbot
Peter Beachill
Mark Jaimes
Richard Edwards
John Barclay
Ralph Salmins
John Parricelli
Derek Watkins; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Studio Personnel: Eddy Schreyer
Jan Holzner
James Mcmillan
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Stan Sulzmann
Phil Todd; Performer
Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Trombone: Richard Edwards
Mark Nightingale
Peter Beachill; Performer
Trumpet: John Barclay
Pat White
Derek Watkins
Simon Gardner; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer

2. Make It Easy On Yourself

by Michael Ball

Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Author: Hal David; Production
Double Bass: Mark Hodgson; Performer
Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Guitar: John Parricelli
Mark Jaimes; Performer
Performer: John Parricelli
Mark Hodgson
Michael Ball
Mark Jaimes
Ralph Salmins
Pete Murray; Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Engineer: James Mcmillan
David Westerhout
Jan Holzner; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Jan Holzner
Eddy Schreyer
David Westerhout
Brad Gilderman; Production

3. Alfie

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Alto Flute: Phil Todd; Performer
Lyricist: Burt Bacharach
Hal David; Composer
Alto Saxophone: Andy Macintosh
James Talbot; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Baritone Saxophone: David Bishop; Performer
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Bass Clarinet: James Talbot; Performer
Bass Trombone: Dave Stewart; Performer
Composer: Hal David
Burt Bacharach; Composer
Double Bass: Mark Hodgson; Performer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Engineer: James Mcmillan
David Westerhout
Jan Holzner; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Flugelhorn: Derek Watkins
Pat White
Simon Gardner
John Barclay; Performer
Guitar: Mark Jaimes
John Parricelli; Performer
Performer: Ralph Salmins
John Parricelli
Derek Watkins
Phil Todd
Mark Nightingale
Mark Hodgson
David Bishop
Pete Murray
Simon Gardner
Pat White
Stan Sulzmann
Michael Ball
Dave Stewart
James Talbot
Peter Beachill
Andy Macintosh
Mark Jaimes
Richard Edwards
John Barclay; Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Musical Director: Peter J Murray; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Eddy Schreyer
Jan Holzner
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Stan Sulzmann
Phil Todd; Performer
Trombone: Mark Nightingale
Peter Beachill
Richard Edwards; Performer
Trumpet: Simon Gardner
Pat White
John Barclay
Derek Watkins; Performer
Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Composer Lyricist: Burt Bacharach
Hal David; Other

4. Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)

by Michael Ball

Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Guitar: John Parricelli
Mark Jaimes; Performer
Performer: Mark Jaimes
Pete Murray
Michael Ball
John Parricelli
Ralph Salmins; Performer
Composer: Carole Bayer Sager
Burt Bacharach
Christopher Cross
Peter Allen; Composer
Lyricist: Peter Allen
Christopher Cross
Carole Bayer Sager
Burt Bacharach; Composer
Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Engineer: David Westerhout
James Mcmillan
Jan Holzner; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout
Eddy Schreyer
Jan Holzner; Production
Composer Lyricist: Peter Allen
Burt Bacharach
Christopher Cross
Carole Bayer Sager; Other

5. One Less Bell To Answer

by Michael Ball

Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Guitar: Mark Jaimes
John Parricelli; Performer
Performer: John Parricelli
Michael Ball
Pete Murray
Mark Jaimes
Ralph Salmins; Performer
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Author: Hal David; Production
Engineer: James Mcmillan
David Westerhout
Jan Holzner; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Producer: James Mcmillan
Nick Battle; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout
Eddy Schreyer
Jan Holzner; Production

6. (They Long To Be) Close To You

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Alto Flute: Phil Todd; Performer
Alto Saxophone: Andy Macintosh
James Talbot; Performer
Author: Hal David; Production
Musical Director: Peter J Murray; Production
Baritone Saxophone: David Bishop; Performer
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Bass Clarinet: James Talbot; Performer
Bass Trombone: Dave Stewart; Performer
Double Bass: Mark Hodgson; Performer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Engineer: Jan Holzner
David Westerhout
James Mcmillan; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Flugelhorn: John Barclay
Pat White
Simon Gardner
Derek Watkins; Performer
Guitar: John Parricelli
Mark Jaimes; Performer
Performer: Andy Macintosh
Phil Todd
Mark Nightingale
Mark Hodgson
David Bishop
Simon Gardner
Pat White
Stan Sulzmann
Michael Ball
Dave Stewart
Pete Murray
James Talbot
Peter Beachill
Mark Jaimes
Richard Edwards
John Barclay
Ralph Salmins
John Parricelli
Derek Watkins; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Studio Personnel: Eddy Schreyer
Jan Holzner
James Mcmillan
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Stan Sulzmann
Phil Todd; Performer
Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Trombone: Richard Edwards
Mark Nightingale
Peter Beachill; Performer
Trumpet: John Barclay
Pat White
Derek Watkins
Simon Gardner; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer

7. Anyone Who Had A Heart

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Alto Flute: Phil Todd; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: David Bishop; Performer
Author: Hal David; Production
Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Musical Director: Peter J Murray; Production
Bass Trombone: Dave Stewart; Performer
Producer: James Mcmillan
Nick Battle; Production
Double Bass: Mark Hodgson; Performer
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Flugelhorn: Derek Watkins
Pat White
Simon Gardner; Performer
Guitar: John Parricelli
Mark Jaimes; Performer
Performer: John Parricelli
Mark Nightingale
Peter Beachill
Mark Jaimes
Ralph Salmins
Simon Gardner
Pat White
Stan Sulzmann
Michael Ball
Dave Stewart
Pete Murray
Derek Watkins
Phil Todd
Mark Hodgson
David Bishop; Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout
Eddy Schreyer
Jan Holzner; Production
Tenor Saxophone: Stan Sulzmann
Phil Todd; Performer
Engineer: James Mcmillan
David Westerhout
Jan Holzner; Production
Trombone: Peter Beachill
Mark Nightingale; Performer
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Trumpet: Pat White
Derek Watkins
Simon Gardner; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer

8. This House Is Empty Now

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Double Bass: Mark Hodgson; Performer
Lyricist: Burt Bacharach
Elvis Costello; Composer
Conductor: Peter J Murray; Conductor
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Composer: Burt Bacharach
Elvis Costello; Composer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Guitar: Mark Jaimes
John Parricelli; Performer
Performer: Mark Jaimes
Pete Murray
Michael Ball
Mark Hodgson
John Parricelli
Ralph Salmins; Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Orchestra: The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra; Ensemble
Engineer: James Mcmillan
Jan Holzner
David Westerhout; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Studio Personnel: Brad Gilderman
James Mcmillan
David Westerhout
Eddy Schreyer
Jan Holzner; Production
Composer Lyricist: Burt Bacharach
Elvis Costello; Other

9. This Guy's In Love With You

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Alto Flute: Phil Todd; Performer
Alto Saxophone: Andy Panayi
Andy Macintosh; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jeff Daly; Performer
Author: Hal David; Production
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Bass Clarinet: Jeff Daly; Performer
Bass Guitar: Geoff Gascoyne; Performer
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Bass Trombone: Dave Stewart; Performer
Bass Guitar: Geoff Gascoyne; Performer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Flute: Andy Macintosh; Performer
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Clarinet: Ben Castle
Andy Panayi; Performer
Engineer: James Mcmillan
David Westerhout; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Flugelhorn: Simon Gardner
John Barclay
Derek Watkins; Performer
Guitar: Mark Jaimes
John Parricelli; Performer
Performer: Jeff Daly
Andy Panayi
Andy Macintosh
John Barclay
Ralph Salmins
John Parricelli
Derek Watkins
Phil Todd
Mark Nightingale
Ben Castle
Simon Gardner
Geoff Gascoyne
Michael Ball
Dave Stewart
Pete Murray
Neil Sidwell
Peter Beachill
Mark Jaimes; Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Ben Castle
Phil Todd; Performer
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Eddy Schreyer
David Westerhout
Brad Gilderman; Production
Trombone: Mark Nightingale
Peter Beachill
Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Derek Watkins
John Barclay
Simon Gardner; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer

10. You'll Never Get To Heaven

by Michael Ball

Guitar: Mark Jaimes; Performer
Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Performer: Mark Jaimes
Michael Ball; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Author: Hal David; Production
Engineer: James Mcmillan
David Westerhout; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Studio Personnel: Eddy Schreyer
James Mcmillan
David Westerhout
Brad Gilderman; Production

11. Reach Out For Me

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Alto Flute: Phil Todd; Performer
Alto Saxophone: Andy Panayi; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jeff Daly; Performer
Author: Hal David; Production
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Bass Clarinet: Jeff Daly; Performer
Bass Guitar: Geoff Gascoyne; Performer
Producer: Nick Battle
James Mcmillan; Production
Bass Trombone: Dave Stewart; Performer
Bass Guitar: Geoff Gascoyne; Performer
Clarinet: Ben Castle
Andy Panayi; Performer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Composer: Burt Bacharach; Composer
Flugelhorn: John Barclay
Simon Gardner
Derek Watkins; Performer
Guitar: Mark Jaimes
John Parricelli; Performer
Performer: John Barclay
Ralph Salmins
John Parricelli
Derek Watkins
Phil Todd
Pete Murray
Dave Stewart
Mark Nightingale
Ben Castle
Simon Gardner
Geoff Gascoyne
Peter Beachill
Andy Panayi
Mark Jaimes
Jeff Daly
Michael Ball; Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Ben Castle
Phil Todd; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout
Eddy Schreyer; Production
Trombone: Mark Nightingale
Peter Beachill; Performer
Trumpet: John Barclay
Simon Gardner
Derek Watkins; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Engineer: James Mcmillan
David Westerhout; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production

12. What The World Needs Now

by Michael Ball

Primary Artist: Michael Ball; Main Performer
Alto Flute: Phil Todd; Performer
Lyricist: Hal David
Burt Bacharach; Composer
Alto Saxophone: Andy Panayi
Andy Macintosh; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Jeff Daly; Performer
Mixing: Brad Gilderman; Production
Bass Clarinet: Jeff Daly; Performer
Bass Guitar: Geoff Gascoyne; Performer
Producer: James Mcmillan
Nick Battle; Production
Bass Trombone: Dave Stewart; Performer
Composer: Hal David
Burt Bacharach; Composer
Bass Guitar: Geoff Gascoyne; Performer
Clarinet: Ben Castle
Andy Panayi; Performer
Drums: Ralph Salmins; Performer
Flugelhorn: John Barclay
Derek Watkins
Simon Gardner; Performer
Flute: Andy Macintosh; Performer
Guitar: John Parricelli
Mark Jaimes; Performer
Performer: Jeff Daly
Ralph Salmins
John Parricelli
Derek Watkins
Phil Todd
Mark Nightingale
Ben Castle
Simon Gardner
Geoff Gascoyne
Michael Ball
Dave Stewart
Pete Murray
Mark Jaimes
Andy Panayi
Andy Macintosh
Neil Sidwell
Peter Beachill
John Barclay; Performer
Piano: Pete Murray; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Ben Castle
Phil Todd; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Eddy Schreyer; Production
Studio Personnel: James Mcmillan
Eddy Schreyer
Brad Gilderman
David Westerhout; Production
Trombone: Mark Nightingale
Neil Sidwell
Peter Beachill; Performer
Trumpet: Simon Gardner
Derek Watkins
John Barclay; Performer
Vocals: Michael Ball; Performer
Engineer: David Westerhout
James Mcmillan; Production
Executive Producer: Nick Battle; Production
Composer Lyricist: Burt Bacharach
Hal David; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

44 minutes and 3 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1423x1423 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

8/12 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

4/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Lounge, Electronic, Dance, Easy Listening, Rock, Vocal, Vocal Pop, Vocal-Pop

Label

UMOD (Universal Music On Demand)

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 21, 2007

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

602517486867

Shopping cart

Notification

Back To Bacharach

1. The Look Of Love

2. Make It Easy On Yourself

3. Alfie

4. Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)

5. One Less Bell To Answer

6. (They Long To Be) Close To You

7. Anyone Who Had A Heart

8. This House Is Empty Now

9. This Guy's In Love With You

10. You'll Never Get To Heaven

11. Reach Out For Me

12. What The World Needs Now

Technical Specifications

Back To Bacharach

Product information

Release options

1. The Look Of Love

2. Make It Easy On Yourself

3. Alfie

4. Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)

5. One Less Bell To Answer

6. (They Long To Be) Close To You

7. Anyone Who Had A Heart

8. This House Is Empty Now

9. This Guy's In Love With You

10. You'll Never Get To Heaven

11. Reach Out For Me

12. What The World Needs Now

Technical Specifications