Playlist: Dionne Warwick In Kansas City 2024

Tonight's most relevant musical news . . . 

American legend Dionne Warwick performed in Kansas City and this cowtown moment has inspired our www.TonysKansasCity.com playlist and another trip down memory lane . . .

Actually, we just made it back from the show because our mom was kind enough to allow us out of the basement for a moment if only to share this remarkable occasion.

Keep in mind that TKC is not a pro-music reviewer . . . However . . . 

Tonight's Kansas City performance by Dionne Warwick was nothing less than an exceptional journey through American music history. At 83-years-old Ms. Warwick is sharp, gracious, funny and, most importantly, she remains an incredible singer. 

From the first tune we understood that we were in for a treat. 

Dionne Warwick started with the show with her #1 hit "Walk On By" signaling that she has the ability to draw upon songs that aren't just well-known but define American musical tradition. 

One song after the other was received with ovations from an enthusiastic and older crowd at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts where she was accompanied by the Kansas City Symphony. 

Toward the end of the show Ms. Warwick sentimentally shared the career journey of her son who joined her to sing "Say A Little Prayer" and conclude her show with "That's What Friends Are For" -- David Leland Elliott is more than just a competent singer but a remarkable talent in his own right and his duets with his mom made the show that much more emotionally satisfying for the audience. 

And so, we're back to the basement and thought a quick journey through her oeuvre was an apropos topic for tonight's playlist.

Here our few of our faves . . .

Let's start with one of the genuinely happiest tunes we've ever heard . . . The song “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” has been the city's unofficial theme for fifty years (it was released in 1968). Written by Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David it was recorded by Dionne Warwick and became a hit single in 1968. Ever since then, it's been the song most associated with San Jose.

We almost forgot about this one but it's a touchstone for sad ladies everywhere and the campy video is probably our favorite for tonight . . . The backstory: "Dionne Warwick's 1964 hit that began life as a B-side and wound up becoming her most famous song. "Walk On By" was recorded for Dionne Warwick's third Bacharach and David song collection, Make Way For Dionne Warwick. The song tells the story of someone pleading with her ex-lover to leave her alone."

Background on a classic song that's still a popular selection for new brides . . . "Produced by Barry Manilow and penned by Will Jennings who was inspired by the poem I Shall Pass This Way But Once (commonly attributed to French-American Quaker Stephen Grellet), this 1979 hit won Dionne the 1980 Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance."

This is our favorite song by Ms. Warwick and the backstory is worth considering . . . "In 1966 Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote “I Say a Little Prayer” for Dionne Warwick; that first recording peaked at #4 on U.S. Billboard in December 1967, while it reached #8 on the R&B Singles list. The song, written the year before American casualties in Vietnam reached maximum losses, was intended to express concern for someone serving there."

A finale and a song that powered political movements and defined an era . . . "That's What Friends Are For" is a 1982 song written by Burt Bacharach and first recorded by Rod Stewart. It was taken from the 1982 movie Night Shift. It was covered by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder for AIDS awareness.

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe & fun Saturday night.