May 12 - Burt Bacharach; Gabriel Fauré (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for May 12th may be found here: Jules Massenet; Gabriel Fauré (2019), Burt Bacharach (2020), Johann Baptist Wanhal (2021), Jules Massenet (2022), and Jules Massanet (2023)

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Burt Bacharach (b. 12 May 1928) is an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist who had success with a long series of hit pop songs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actions and Consequences

The cheerful songs of Bacharach

Were on a podcast back-to-back,

And some who hate that sixties vibe

Were therefore moved to unsubscribe.

 

 

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Gabriel Fauré (12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chanson triste

One never should holler or bray

When they’re singing the songs of Fauré,

For the critics agree

That the French mélodie

Should be sung in a finicky way.

 

 

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July 24 - Les Reed (The Musical Birthday Series, 4th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for July 24th are here: Peter Serkin (2019), Adolphe Adam (2020), and Kristin Chenowith (2021)

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Les Reed (24 July 1935 – 15 April 2019) was an English songwriter, arranger, musician and light-orchestra leader who co-wrote several dozen charting songs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tailored

In the 1960s, the pianist, songwriter and arranger Les Reed was given a simple dictum by the music manager Gordon Mills: “Romantic songs for Englebert Humperdinck, sexy ones for Tom Jones.” – Spencer Leigh, “Les Reed Obituary,” Guardian 17 April, 2019

Les Reed wrote a series of hits

That had glamor, emotion, and glitz.

He went to some lengths

To match songs to the strengths

Of various chart-topping Brits.

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Where Are the Hits of Yesteryear?

Allmusic noted that "In the mid-1960s, it was unusual for a British singles chart not to list a Les Reed song". – Wikipedia

With the tolling of each passing year, a

Person is less likely to hear a

Song of the breed

That was penned by Les Reed,

For the headlining stars of his era.

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.] 

 

 

September 19 - Fred Ahlert; Paul Williams (The Musical Birthday Series, 3rd Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for September 19th are here: Cass Elliot; Rex Smith (2019) and Karen Khachaturian (2020)

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Fred Ahlert (19 September 1892 – 20  October 20, 1953) was an American composer and songwriter.  His songs include "I'll Get By," "Mean to Me, "Walkin' My Baby Back Home," and "I'm Going To Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter."  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Deficit

Fred Ahlert’s songs have held their own,

   Which is how it surely should be;

Yet his name is not well known,

   As you’d think it surely would be.

 

 

 

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ 

Paul Williams (b. 19 September 1940) is an American composer, singer, songwriter and actor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breezy Listening

Paul Williams has a pleasant way

Of saying what he has to say.

He never strains himself to sound

Heaven-shaking or profound.

And though the sentiments are sloppy,

They’re gentle, crystal-clear, and poppy.

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.]