Walk On By

In this episode, we present possibly the most sophisticated song we've ever discussed, the Burt Bacharach/Hal David weeper, "Walk on By." And in case you think we've left the garage for the piano lounge, don't you worry, the 60s kids have you covered. The first step, though, is taken by the inimitable Dionne Warwick and the 1964 original (2:25).  A restrained, elegant vocal performance from a woman who hasn't set foot in a car-hole in over 50 years,  and even strings and TWO grand pianos can't make this one bombastic. You know who does , though? The Outcasts and their 1967 mis-step (57:56).  These guys go for the dramatic jugular in a Vanilla Fudge lite kind of way. We like it, but it's absurd ... That same year, interpretations of the song really hit their stride with Brenda & The Tabulations' recitation (1:15:32). These cats give the song a Philly strut , some sassy, soulful backing vocals, and a great string re-arrangment that Bacharach AND Bach would swing to. The last word and testament for us goes to Thus, a rare breed of sophisto-garagers who clearly revere The Zombies (1:33:57). Their dark night of the soul version keeps it stark and simple & reminds us of Laura Nyro. Don't you dare stop  without listening to this show!