Live Review: Bringing Back Bacharach

The songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David have long been considered classics. Thursday's performance saw renowned local jazz singers Libby Hammer, Ali Bodycoat and Rob Pring, who was resplendent in a beige safari suit, weave 31 of these well-known standards into a "boy meets girl" story in what was a highly enjoyable 90-minute show.

With so many songs to perform, there was little time for banter between numbers, so the story was told via the clever use of placards such as "True Love", "Arrival Of The Other Girl" and "Girl Is Totes Devo" that were held up by the performers between songs.

Kicking off with Do You Know The Way To San Jose the trio of vocalists, backed up by a superb band, delivered a stellar performance of beloved soft pop gems, with each singer getting the opportunity to show off their impressive voices and smooth harmonies. In addition, the comedic interplay between the singers and the deadpan Ricki Malet on flugelhorn was hilarious as they worked their way through more Bacharach hits such as Always Something There To Remind Me, Alfie, 24 Hours From Tulsa and I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself, which had many in the packed audience singing along. 

Finishing up with That's What Friends Are For, which allowed a final opportunity for Hammer, Bodycoat and Pring to each showcase their undoubted vocal abilities, Bringing Back Bacharach was a truly masterful showcase that held the audience enthralled for the entire performance. One can only hope that this isn't the last time that this show graces the stages of Perth.