Beginning on the impossibly high notes of "In Between The Heartaches," Here I Am is a masterpiece on all levels. Although the singles were only modest hits, possibly because they were so much more sophisticated than anything else around, the album could very well be the artistic pinnacle of their triumvirate.
With the exception of a misguided attempt at Broadway hackwork (Newley-Bricusse's "Once In A Lifetime"), every song on Here I Am hits its mark and sticks the landing. Bacharach's always-inventive arrangements shift direction with little or no warning, moving from small combo to full orchestra in an instant. Brian Wilson has said that the Pet Sounds instrumental "Let's Go Away For A While" was heavily influenced by Bacharach, and you can hear that in many of the songs, including the seductive title track.
David's direct and poignant lyrics deal mostly with break-ups and infidelity, and few singers have ever played the wounded lover better than Warwick, who is at the top of her game here. She navigates gracefully through the complexities of such songs as "Window Wishing," "If I Ever Make You Cry," and the stunning "Are You There (With Another Girl)."
Here I Am also features strong takes on the gospel standard "This Little Light," which features Warwick on piano, and the Gershwins' "I Loves You, Porgy."
My only major complaint about both of these discs is that the remastering job is rather poor. They are tinny, with significant noise and neither disc handles the dynamics well. Compare these with the same songs on Rhino's essential The Look Of Love: The Burt Bacharach Collection box set and you'll notice a definite inferiority.
While casual fans will want to hear her versions of the well-known Bacharach-David songs on Make Way For Dionne Warwick, it's the stronger material and performances on Here I Am that make for the more rewarding listen.
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