Burt's Still the Word

And Costello, in keeping with Bacharach's exacting parameters and metering, finally trimmed the excess which marred his late-period writing. Cuts like "I Still Have That Other Girl" and "This House Is Empty Now" find Costello once again ruminating over his favorite subjects, guilt and remorse -- this time in a tuxedo! While the former song won the pair a Grammy last year, their album received little airplay.

"No. I don't think we even put out a single. That record company was going through a change," says Bacharach. "Mercury was falling apart; that was around the time everyone was getting fired. You can't do anything. It's out of your control."

You see this guy? This guy's in love with you! Bacharach, right backatcha.

Bacharach's pioneer production came during the days when you couldn't keep songs about Indian attacks off the charts. Unless Dick Van Dyke sang them.

Details

Scheduled to perform on Thursday, October 5. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

Celebrity Theatre

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More About

• Hal David
• Burt Bacharach
• Elvis Costello
• Dionne Warwick
• Music Awards

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Bacharach says he's keeping the door open for further possible collaborations with Costello. But in the meantime, do yourself a favor and attend the Maestro's concert this week. Thrill as he accents even the tiniest triangle with a subtle wrist twist, and hear him and his fine singers go through the whole legendary canon: "What the World Needs Now," "Trains and Boats and Planes, "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself," "Walk On By," Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" -- all the usual suspects.

He even promises he'll try to find a song to play at the concert that you've never heard. But don't hold your breath waiting for "Peggy's in the Pantry."