Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach - Painted from Memory

Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach first collaborated on "God Give Me Strength," a sweeping ballad that functioned as the centerpiece in Allison Anders' Grace of My Heart. It was a stunning song in the tradition of Bacharach's classic '60s work and it was successful enough that the composers decided to collaborate on a full album, Painted from Memory. Wisely, they chose to work within the stylistic parameters of Bacharach's '60s material, but Painted from Memory never sounds like a stylistic exercise. Instead, it's a return to form for both artists. Bacharach hasn't written such graceful, powerful melodies since his glory days, and Costello hasn't crafted such a fully realized album since King of America. It's a testament to both that even if the album is clearly in Bacharach's territory, it feels like a genuine collaboration. Often, the music not only evokes the spirit of Dionne Warwick, it's reminiscent of Elvis' torching ballads for Trust. Costello keeps Bacharach from his schmaltzier tendencies, and Bacharach keeps Costello from overwriting. With its lush arrangements, sighing brass and strings, gentle pianos, and backing vocals, it's clearly a classicist album, yet it sounds utterly timeless. Its melodies are immediate, its emotions subtle, its impact lasting -- and, with that timeless sound, Painted from Memory illustrates that craft cannot only be its own reward, it can be genuinely moving. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan Grunfeld Violin Alan Sanderson Assistant Engineer Andrew Picken Viola Armen Garabedian Violin Assa Drori Concert Master Barry Finclair Violin Belinda Whitney-Barratt Violin Berj Garabedian Violin Bette Byers Violin Bill Reichenbach Jr. Trombone Bob Adcock Cello Brian Leonard Violin Bruce Dukov Violin Burt Bacharach Performer, Producer, Conductor Carole Mukogawa Viola Chris Parker Drums Dan Greco Percussion Dan Higgins Clarinet, Sax (Baritone) Darius Campo Violin Dave Coy Bass David Carey Vibraphone David Ewart Violin David Nadien Violin David Spinozza Guitar Dean Parks Guitar Donna Taylor Vocals Donna Tecco Violin Earl Dumler Oboe Eddie Karam Conductor Elvis Costello Producer, Vocals Frank Marocco Musette Gary Grant Flugelhorn Gayle Levant Harp George Doering Guitar Gil Romero Violin Greg Cohen Bass Greg Phillinganes Keyboards, Moog Synthesizer Haim Shtrum Violin Harry Shirinian Viola Horia Moroaica Violin Jacqueline Brand Violin Jan Mullen Violin Jerry Hey Flugelhorn Jim Keltner Drums Jodi Burnett Cello Joe Lizzi Assistant Engineer John Pintavalle Violin John Scanlon Viola John VanHouten Tuba Julien Barber Viola Karen Jones Violin Keith Greene Viola Kevin Killen Mixing, Engineer Larry Corbett Cello Laura Seaton Violin Lawrence Feldman Flute (Alto) Lew Soloff Flugelhorn Lisa Johnson Violin Lisa Taylor Vocals Lloyd Stripling Flugelhorn Mari Tsumura Violin Marilyn Baker Viola Mark Orrin Shuman Cello Marti Sweet Violin Michael Markman Violin Murray Adler Violin Norman Hughes Violin Pat Johnson Violin Paul Peabody Violin Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Randy Kerber Keyboards Rankin Photography Richard Altenbach Violin Richard Locker Cello Richard Sortomme Violin Rick Gerding Viola Rick Todd French Horn Rob Mounsey Keyboards Rob Schrock Keyboards Robert Zimmitti Percussion Roland Kato Viola Steve Kujala Flute, Piccolo Steve Nieve Piano, Keyboards Sue Pray Viola Suzie Katayama Cello T-Bone Wolk Bass William Claxton Photography