It seemed that every three-wheel rickshaw of the Britomart Bikemen was piping the songs of Burt Bacharach on the way to the Vector Arena for what must be the 87-year-old songwriter's last visit Downunder.
The format hadn't changed much since his first 2007 concert and, once again, a usually forbidding
space was overlooked in what became an unforgettable night in the music lounge of your dreams.
Bacharach's elegant tunes streamed out for well over two hours, after a rousing What the World Needs Now is Love had reminded us that what is really in short supply today is the good old-fashioned songcraft that this man represents.
Eight years ago, Bacharach, at his Steinway, seemed self-effacing; tonight he came across as more frail, his face lighting up at a quicksilver switch of harmony or a nifty keyboard styling; or when one his singers sent a billowing line heavenwards.
The three vocalists - Donna Taylor, Josie James and John Pagano - were the same smooth trio featured in 2007.
