Promising tribute to songwriting duo

DEVOTEES of one of the most prolific and popular songwriting duos of the twentieth century can look forward to a two-hour concert spectacular featuring their music.

Internationally acclaimed vocalist Janet Ross-Fahy and her 11-piece band are bringing Promises Promises: The Music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David to the Ulumbarra Theatre.

From the 1950s to the 1990s, Bacharach and David won six Grammys and three Academy Awards, producing hits for artists including Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, The Carpenters and Christopher Cross.

Ross-Fahy, who has opened for international acts including Chubby Checker, Umberto Tozzi, Neil Sedaka and José Feliciano, said the concert will traverse the pair’s huge catalogue.

“All different stories, lots of colour, it goes through all the emotions,” she said. “It’s perpetual, it’s classic, it’s extremely musical – it’s a great legacy they’ve left us all.”

“Arthur’s Theme, That’s What Friends Are For, there’s so many songs that people don’t actually realise were written by Bert and Hal.

“Dusty Springfield’s Wishing and Hoping, 24 Hours from Tulsa, and What’s New Pussycat? from Tom Jones.”

The audience can expect a glamorous Las Vegas style show, Ross-Fahy said, with several costume changes, a high calibre of musicianship on stage, and a wide range of musical styles.

“There’s something for each generation, because they went from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, into the early 90s,” she said.

Promises Promises will be performed at Ulumbarra Theatre on Saturday 10 August from 4pm.

Tickets are available via Gotix.