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Composer Burt Bacharach’s life was filled with a variety of collaborators and interpreters. His massive success is usually thought of with lyricist Hal David, and singer Dionne Warwick. Later in life, Bacharach brought three dynamic talents into his musical orbit.

Ronald Isley

The lead singer of the Isley Brothers, Ronald Isley enlisted Bacharach to produce his solo album, which featured songs by Bacharach. None of the eleven songs were Bacharach/David classics, with the other two new Bacharach/Tonio K. compositions. Isley build a successful career scoring big hits singing R&B and funk with his brothers. This album focuses on his smooth, soulful vocals.

Isley Meets Bacharach: Here I Am (2003) is a very satisfying album, with the Bacharach/David songs the best. Isley is one of the most talented of the male vocalists to take on the Bacharach/David songbook, and that is saying a lot. Isley’s voice warmly embraces the ballads, his voice bending and contouring to the changing textural emotions in each song. The songs feature new arrangements, emphasizing Isley’s vocal range and phrasing.

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello has to included as one of Bacharach’s songwriting partners. It started in 1995, when Costello wrote the first musical draft of “God Give Me Strength.” The song went on to be commissioned for inclusion in Alison Anders’ film Grace Of My Heart, and led the pair to work on a full album of new songs.

The 1998 album Painted From Memory might have been Bacharach’s most significant post-Hal David effort with a songwriter/performer.

“In the Darkest Place” begins what is a contemporary trip through sophisticated 1960s pop, with lush arrangements, stings, horns and background vocals, but timeless emotions. Costello is not everyone’s idea of a fine vocalist, but he is soulful and sings with great emotion. “I Still Have That Other Girl” and “The House is Empty Now” have that familiar Bacharach feel, soft and then powerful, and with those aching melodic hooks. “The Long Division” almost rocks, it comes damn close, it still generates great romantic energy.

The duo collaborated on songs they wrote for a proposed Broadway show inspired by their Painted From Memory album. The show was not staged, but the songs are included on the 2023 Bacharach/Costello compilation, The Songs Of Bacharach & Costello.

“He’s Given Me Things” “Photographs Can Lie,” “Don’t Look Now” written by Costello/Bacharach, from Costello’s 2018 solo album Don’t Look Now. These songs have more of a typical Costello feel, leaner but still with bite.

Rumer (Sarah Joyce)

With a voice as warm and silky as Karen Carpenter, Rumer was perfect to sing the songs of Bacharach/David. It so happened that Rumer would marry Rob Shirakbari, the musical director of Dionne Warwick and later, Bacharach.

Shirakbari, a musician, composer and producer, handled the production and arrangements, sweetly paying respect to the original recordings. Bacharach himself appears on one track.

Bacharach invited Rumer to his home just to hear her sing. That was followed by the release of a special single, Rumer Sings Bacharach at Christmas, featuring ‘Some Lovers’ from the new Bacharach & Sater musical, Gift of the Magi.

A few years later, she felt ready to tackle a full album of Bacharach/David songs. “I couldn’t have made this album five years ago,” admits Rumer; “I think I’ve now got a wide enough emotional palette to draw on for these songs’ characters and stories. That kind of insight only comes as you get older.” Her versions of “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” “The Look of Love” and “One Last Bell to Answer” are particularly satisfying. The arrangements accentuate her incredible voice while honoring the original versions.