Painted from Memory

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
As promised, Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach's long-awaited full-length collaboration Painted from Memory bears the hallmarks of Bacharach's classic '60s work with the likes of Dionne Warwick--full-force melodies, traditional pop instrumentation, clever and occasionally pained lyrics. It finds the pair reveling in their gifts on a dozen tracks that range from concise under-three-minute gems to sprawling art songs. The result is a set of instant classics that stand head and shoulders above much of Costello's '90s recordings. --Rickey Wright --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

The New York Times
Painted From Memory, a finely crafted collection of lovelorn ballads in which Mr. Costello flaunts his gift for quirky imagery, finds Mr. Bacharach returning enthusiastically to the hyper- romantic signature style of the 1960's hits he wrote, arranged and produced with the lyricist Hal David for Dionne Warwick. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Painted from Memory

Average customer rating:

Absolute class
Elvis and Burt Paint Modern in Traditional Hues
Give Burt and Ernie (er, ELVIS) a chance
No Sinatra
I Am Really Surprised By How Much I Like It

Painted from Memory
Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Sweetest Punch: Songs Of Elvis Costello And Burt Bacharach
Piano Jazz: McPartland/Costello
North
The River in Reverse
King of America

ASIN: B00000AFFF
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

In The Darkest Place
Toledo
I Still Have That Other Girl
This House Is Empty Now
Tears At The Birthday Party
Such Unlikely Lovers
My Thief
The Long Division
Painted From Memory
The Sweetest Punch
What's Her Name Today?
God Give Me Strength

Amazon.com essential recording

As promised, Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach's long-awaited full-length collaboration Painted from Memory bears the hallmarks of Bacharach's classic '60s work with the likes of Dionne Warwick--full-force melodies, traditional pop instrumentation, clever and occasionally pained lyrics. It finds the pair reveling in their gifts on a dozen tracks that range from concise under-three-minute gems to sprawling art songs. The result is a set of instant classics that stand head and shoulders above much of Costello's '90s recordings. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Absolute class.......2007-07-24

This magnificent album combines the wonderful talents of Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello together to create something completely unique. Sure from the opening notes its clear who has had a bigger influence on the music (Bacharach) but Costello's input both lyrically and in some fantastic vocal performances is not to down-played.

Bacharach's background as one one of the finest popular songwriters needs no introduction. However the journey that Costello has taken from 70's new-wave angry young man to frankly all-round musical chameleon is amazing. He's now married to a Jazz Pianist, reads music and has written his own classical music - including the score! At the time of this recording Costello was halfway through this transitional period, but was already writing at the Piano and indeed a large part of the music was written by Bacharach and Costello at two keyboards.

On this album Costello pushes his voice to the limit and consequently puts in a number of astounding performances. His voice will not be to everybodies taste, but I love the emotion he puts into his singing and the vibrato he adds to any held note has become a trademark feature.

Favourite tracks - well "Tears at the Birthday Party" gives Costello a chance great to demonstrate his vocal range. Perhaps not the most interesting track lyrically, but when Costello sings the chorus you can't help but become wrapped up in the whole thing. Likewise "God give me Strength" is another great performance from Costello.

Another track I love is "The Sweetest Punch" which demonstrates Burt Bacharach's fabulous arranging and conducting skills. It goes without saying that all the songs are impeccably arranged, and the production is spot on.

You know how sometimes you have to play an album quite a few times before you begin to appreciate it. Well not with this one, the first time I played it I new it was a classic.

Elvis and Burt Paint Modern in Traditional Hues.......2007-07-21

Although nearly a decade-old album now, the 1998 "Painted from Memory" seamlessly (and now we already can say agelessly) teamed together one of the most prolific and influential pop music composer from the 1960's onwards and the punk era child prodigy-turned-traditional pop crooner (something distantly similar to Rod Stewart). Elvis somehow confirmed this move by his 2004 wedding to Diana Krall. The set of 12 original songs has considerably more highs than lows, with just about each of tracks offering a nice melody, an interesting instrumental solo or surprising subtle touches (some offer all of those). Not everybody will like Costello's sometimes a bit strained delivery, but the fact is that since the 1990's, pop has rarely been offering something this tasteful and classy. Another reason to give the album a chance. The highlight definitely is "I Still Have That Other Girl" (awarded a Grammy for best pop vocal collaboration), others include "This House Is Empty Now", "My Thief" and the title track.

Give Burt and Ernie (er, ELVIS) a chance.......2007-06-25

Reading the reviews of 'Painted from Memory' makes for an interesting afternoon. As I continue my journey through the Elvis Costello catalogue, I thought I'd toss in my two cents.

As someone who thought I was only a fan of his early rock recordings (Aim, Model & Armed Forces), I'm pleasantly surprised to find that I very much enjoy Costello's later forays into other genres. 'For the Stars', with Anne Sofie Von Otter, is a treat. So too is this gem with Burt Bacharach. Will have to give 'Juliet Letters' a spin next.

I initially agreed with comments here that Elvis's voice doesn't seem suited for the material. However, I quickly did a 180 on that. I don't know that I can explain it, but somehow his plaintive caterwauling here is compelling in a way that the dulcet crooning of a Michael Buble would not be.

Consistency in quality is a hallmark of 'Painted from Memory'. There are not just a couple of stand-out cuts; the entire recording is solid. Everyone who takes the time to sample this unusual offering from Costello and Bacharach will have their own favorites.

No Sinatra.......2007-04-07

Allow me first to say that I am not really a fan of Elvis Costello the rock musician. Other than the products of his brief collaboration with McCartney, which I find very satisfying, the bits I've stumbled onto have frankly done nothing at all for me; that stuff is past my time and just sounds rather crude to me. Sorry.

Having said that, I have taken great pleasure from his 1993 collaboration with the Brodsky Quartet, THE JULIET LETTERS. It is just brilliant - in spite of his voice in spots and partially because of it in others - and I was very pleased to hear of this partnership and this album, PAINTED FROM MEMORY. I picked it up three or four years ago and have periodically given it a listen. On none of those occasions have I felt the urge to jump on the computer and do a review. However, reading a few of these reviews here HAS spurred me, so I beg your indulgence.

In lavishly praising this album, one of the other reviewers cited Sinatra and Riddle's IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS OF THE MORNING and ONLY THE LONELY as comparable. Frankly (pun intended), that is absurd and the review may well be a sarcastic joke. Costello's singing on PAINTED FROM MEMORY is a flat, nasal, mumbly whine punctuated all too often by outbursts such as one might expect were he being goosed, and that anyone could compare this to Sinatra's work on those two stunningly perfect albums is almost beyond incomprehensible. That betrays a lack of taste so near absolute as to be truly pitiful and I genuinely feel sorry.

As one should expect from Bachrach, there are some good songs here, but Elvis doesn't seem too comfortable carrying the melody in many of them. I realise it's no longer 1969, but this stuff could be far more pleasant, at least, if sung by someone capable of a more simple charm, and possessing a lighter, clearer tone and less tendency to strain upwards into his target pitch as if he were doing pull-ups in high school gym class. As it is, the instrumental arrangements seem somehow both too light AND too heavy (no Nelson Riddle here) and Costello extracts the notes with pliers. On the other hand and in Elvis's defense, backing him with the Bachrach-style chick trio cannot possibly show his voice in its best light.

In short, these songs need a SINGER, not just a vocal personality of some renown, although honestly it was my expectation, admittedly drawn from limited experience, of magic from an Elvis collaboration which drew me to this disc. (Oh well... The Brodsky Quartet work is still great. That album actually benefits from Costello's "Joe Ordinary" vocals.) But again, as for this one, there are still things to like. Bachrach does make it worthwhile and Costello's a trooper and to be admired for his earnestness and willingness to experiment, so who knows? I may come to really enjoy it in spite of its incongruities.

I Am Really Surprised By How Much I Like It.......2006-09-15

I am a huge fan of Bacharach, but just after I bought this, I heard Costello and hated him. So this CD sat unopened for a couple of years.

I was going through my CDs and I finally decided to check this out, expecting to throw it away after one listen. But I was shocked by how good it was.

I still would not put Elvis Costello in a list of my top 10 singers. At best, I am neutral about him. But with the songs in this CD, neutral is OK by me, the songs and the charts are that good.

Anything that Bacharach does is interesting, his songs are filled with fascinating and unexpected things. The charts are wonderful, my favorite being The Sweetest Punch with that gong on the chorus. Toledo is wonderful as well.

I am glad I decided to listen to this with open ears.

Average customer rating:

Painted from Memory
Elvis Costello
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000IWQG
Release Date: 1999-05-03

Tracks:

In the Darkest Place
Toledo
I Still Have That Other Girl
This House Is Empty Now
Tears at the Birthday Party
Such Unlikely Lovers
My Thief
Long Division
Painted from Memory
Sweetest Punch
What's Her Name Today?
God Give Me Strength

Tracks:

This House Is Empty Now [Live]
I Still Have That Other Girl [Live]
In the Darkest Place [Live]
Painted from Memory [Live]
What's Her Name Today? [Live]

Album Description

Limited tour edition of the acclaimed 1998 collaboration album by these two greats with a bonus CD featuring five live tracks, 'This House Is Empty Now', 'I Still Have That Other Girl', 'In The Darkest Place', 'Painted From Memory' and 'What's Her Name Today?'. A combined total of 17 tracks. The first cut on the extra disc was recorded on the TV show 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' on November 27th, 1998; the second & fifth tunes listed on the bonus CD were recorded in Tokyo at Shibuya Hall on February 10th, 1999; the remaining two were record

Album Details

Includes Limited Edition Five Track Bonus Live Disc.

Average customer rating:

Painted from Memory

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000J2359M
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Average customer rating:

Godawful
Dreadful Schmaltz
Put On Your Must Buy List
Long time fan, knocked out review!
Pure Magic

Painted From Memory (Limited Edition)
Elvis Costello
Manufacturer: Universal Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JXFB
Release Date: 1999-07-01

Tracks:

In the Darkest Place
Toledo
I Still Have That Other Girl
This House Is Empty Now
Tears at the Birthday Party
Such Unlikely Lovers
My Thief
Long Division
Painted from Memory
Sweetest Punch
What's Her Name Today?
God Give Me Strength

Tracks:

This House Is Empty Now [Live]
I Still Have That Other Girl [Live]
In the Darkest Place [Live]
Painted from Memory [Live]
What's Her Name Today? [Live]

Album Description

Album Details

Includes Limited Edition Bonus Disc with Live Tracks Recorded in Australia and Japan.

Customer Reviews:

Godawful.......2006-03-08

The material is shapeless and Elvis's voice is hopeless. Comparing this material with the best in the career of either songwriter would make you feel wan, slightly depressed, and vicariously embarassed. A worthy experiment that might more worthily have been kept private. Truly bleh.

Dreadful Schmaltz.......2000-12-12

Elvis Costello was at his best on his first three albums. Since then he has lost focus and intensity, and spiralled down into mediocrity. But with this collaboration he has crash-landed at the very bottom. This is pure schmaltz.

Why a songwriter like Elvis Costello, who USED TO be able to write good songs, would collaborate with a burnt-out hack like Burt Bacharach is utterly beyond me. The current critical "re-evaluation" of Bacharach is utterly invalid. Bacharach always wrote schmaltzy, stupid, over-orchestrated cocktail-lounge love songs. They are no more insightful or interesting than the schmaltzy stupid love songs that Neil Sedaka, Jimmy Webb, the massively overrated Stephen Sondheim, or any other late 60s-era cocktail lounge piano players have written.

Artistically this is just about as "important" as any of those early 90's Linda Ronstadt albums where she covered cocktail-lounge music. Like those albums, this is music for overweight white yuppies who like to sit around sipping wine in their Barcaloungers after the kids have gone to bed. It has nothing to do with who Elvis Costello used to be, and it is perfectly irrelevant and disposable.

In short, a shameful end to Costello's career, the worst recording in his canon, even more pitiful than "Almost Blue." And as far as the abominable Bacharach, well, at least he's got those idiot rock critics' approval now. So you can be sure that like his other songs, we'll be hearing these in elevators all over the world for the next fifty thousand years. One of the low points in the history of recorded music.

Put On Your Must Buy List.......2000-06-25

Every song on this album is excellent. The live tracks are worth paying extra for it. It is very listenable and worth every penny.

Long time fan, knocked out review!.......2000-05-06

This is one of the highlights of Elvis's long and illustrious career. I have seen him live on over 25 occassions and these songs have become the stand-outs in his live act. For that reason alone, spend the extra and get the set with the additional live CD to hear the songs stripped back to vocal with piano accompaniment. You will love it!

Pure Magic.......2000-02-18

I'm sure that you must have heard about this CD by now. It is truly amazing. You will not have heard anything like it before, and probably won't ever again. The "edge" on Elvis' voice adds pure emotion to this collection of beautiful songs. At first I thought these songs were for "old fogeys" but I now believe that these are possibly the best songs he has ever recorded. The bonus live disc is the icing on the cake - especially since I was at the Melbourne concert where the live versions of In The Darkest Place and Painted From Memory were recorded. "Do yourself a favour!"

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