Whistling in the Dark…The Music of Burt Bacharach | Jersey Jazz

Whistling in the Dark…The Music of Burt Bacharach (Savant – 2196) by vocalist DENISE DONATELLI is a different collection of Bacharach songs.  Many associate him with upbeat pop tunes like “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “Wives and Lovers,” “Walk on By,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” or “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”  This album delivers a different side of Bacharach, a more somber side.  Even when she sings “Walk on By,” Donatelli gives it a darker edge.  Most of the selections are not ones that would pop right into your head when Bacharach’s name is mentioned.  There are nine selections, but only “Walk on By,” “The Look of Love” and “A House Is Not a Home,” are among his more popular tunes.  The others on the program are “Whistling in the Dark,” “In Between the Heartaches,” “Toledo,” “Anyone Who Has a Heart,” “In the Darkest Place” and “Mexican Divorce.”  Donatelli and producer Larry Klein, perhaps influenced by conceiving the album during the pandemic, opted for a minimalist approach, concentrating on lyrics and arrangements that reflect the times.  Donatelli delivers the kind of effective vocalizing that has been the steady hallmark of her performances, delivering the lyrics with the depth of insight that make a lyricist say “Yes!”  (www.jazzdepotcom)