| Back to Genre |
 |
|
 |
Rating: Great |
In 2021, a special edition of Trijntje Oosterhuis' album was released on vinyl for the first time The Look of Love: Burt Bacharach SongbookOriginally released in 2006, this album was a musical tribute to the legendary American composer Burt Bacharach. In this anniversary edition, released on turquoise vinyl in a limited run of 1,000 copies, the music comes to life in a new form. The combination of Trijntje's voice, the Metropole Orchestra, and Bacharach's timeless compositions remains enchanting.
What's striking upon listening is how Trijntje appropriates Bacharach's songs without violating their original character. She sings warmly and clearly, without abandon. Her phrasing is natural, never exaggerated, and her tone is lived-in yet controlled. The orchestra, conducted by Vince Mendoza, breathes with her. Vince Mendoza's arrangements offer space and color; they float, propel, and sustain without dominating. There's a sense of tranquility, clarity, and a subtle grandeur.
The choice of Bacharach as a starting point was carefully considered. His music lends itself perfectly to interpretation: the melodies are recognizable, the harmonies rich but not complex, the rhythms lighthearted but never casual. Trijntje manages to place her voice in these songs without losing sight of the original. Songs like "The Look of Love," "Walk on By," "Anyone Who Had a Heart," and "A House Is Not a Home" gain a new sensibility without losing their brilliance. The combination of jazzy soul influences, cinematic arrangements, and classical vocal lines maintains the balance between tradition and individuality.
What makes this project extra special is the personal connection Trijntje had with Burt Bacharach himself. He gave her his blessing for these interpretations and expressed his appreciation for the way she approached his music. That mutual admiration resonates in every song. Where some tribute albums get bogged down in imitation or veneration, this collaboration feels like a genuine dialogue—as if Bacharach invited her into his musical world, and she found her place there with gentleness and respect.
What also distinguishes this album is how it bridges the gap between classical craftsmanship and contemporary performance. Bacharach's work, often associated with the sixties and seventies, is here reframed for the twenty-first century without feeling retro. This is partly due to Mendoza and the orchestra, but primarily to Trijntje herself. Her style is contemporary without being fashionable, her singing relying on nuance rather than sensationalism. This makes her interpretations powerful.
Listening on vinyl, the dynamics are particularly striking. The soft passages breathe, the orchestra swells, the vocals soar. The recordings have been carefully mixed and pressed: no harsh edges, no overproduced sheen, but a natural clarity that suits the music. The balance between vocals and orchestra is natural and clear. Even the silences carry tension.
The power of these songs remains intact. The album doesn't sound like a museum piece, but like something that lives again, longs to be heard again. Trijntje's voice is mature, controlled, and warm. She seeks meaning, not effect. She trusts the power of the material and her ability to be present within it without imposing herself.
What happens here isn't a reproduction, but an experience. Each song has its own atmosphere, its own timing. The songs aren't ticked off, but lived through. And you can hear it. The interpretations are open, but not empty. They leave room for the listener to connect with them.
The Look of Love On vinyl, it's not a revelation, but a confirmation. A confirmation that good music doesn't age, that an honest interpretation can connect generations, and that beauty lies in attention, tranquility, and detail. The first vinyl release makes it extra special. In an age when many reissues revolve around visual effects or collector's items, this record feels like a sincere reintroduction to a musical moment that has never lost its value.
This record doesn't demand applause, but attention. No production, just emotion. She demonstrates how music becomes meaningful through craftsmanship, dedication, and someone who has something to say. Trijntje Oosterhuis possesses that quality in abundance. And you can hear it – from the first note to the last.
= Full Album Play List =
= Track List =
EN
