Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick, born Marie Dionne Warrick on December 12, 1940, in East Orange, New Jersey, is a distinguished American singer, actress, and television host. She is widely known for her significant contributions to the pop and rhythm and blues (R&B) genres, where her distinctive soulful sound has earned her a prominent place in music history.
Warwick grew up in a musical environment as the daughter of a record promoter and a gospel group manager. This early exposure to music had a profound influence on her career. She was raised in a deeply religious family and was the oldest of three siblings, which fostered her appreciation for music from a young age.
Dionne Warwick's professional career spans over five decades and has established her as an international music icon. She first gained prominence in the 1960s with a series of hit songs that featured collaborations with legendary songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Some of her most iconic tracks include "Walk On By," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" Her unique voice and emotive delivery have garnered her numerous accolades, including six Grammy Awards.
Throughout her career, Warwick has not only focused on music but has also made her mark as an actress and television producer. She starred in various television projects and has been a popular figure on TV game shows and talk shows. In 2020, she celebrated her 80th birthday, a milestone that highlights her enduring legacy in the music industry.
Warwick continues to tour and perform, maintaining her relevance in the music world and inspiring new generations of artists. Her impact on both music and culture is significant, making her a revered figure in the entertainment landscape.
Just Being Myself
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:20
A2 I Think You Need Love
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
3:37
A3 You Are The Heart Of Me
Written-By – Michael Smith, Ronald Dunbar
4:14
A4 I Always Get Caught In The Rain
Written-By – Michael Smith, Ronald Dunbar
3:42
B1 Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:00
B2 (I'm) Just Being Myself
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:31
B3 Come Back
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:30
B4 Don't Burn The Bridge (That Took You Across)
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:24
Label: Warner Bros. Records – BS 2658
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Pop
Dionne Warwick's Just Being Myself (1973) is a solid, often overlooked soul/pop album produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH) after her split with Bacharach/David, featuring her powerful vocals on lush ballads and some funky grooves, with standout tracks like the classic "You're Gonna Need Me," but it was a chart underperformer despite its artistic strengths and later became a crate-digger's favorite for its samples. Critics note its cohesive '70s sound, strong performances, and ironic title as Warwick was pushed into a new creative direction, making it a worthwhile listen for fans of her Warner Bros. era.
The album marked a significant change, moving away from Bacharach & David to the Motown team of Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH). HDH delivered classic '70s soul arrangements, blending sophisticated pop with more rhythmic, soulful tracks, even using some older backing tracks.
Reviewers praise Warwick's raw, emotional delivery, showing she could convincingly handle soul music, with powerful performances on ballads like "You Are the Heart of Me".
Standout Tracks:
"You're Gonna Need Me": A signature song, a heartbreaking classic sampled heavily by hip-hop artists like J Dilla and Just Blaze.
"(I'm) Just Being Myself": A title track that stands out with jazz flute, percussion, and humble lyrics, according to one reviewer.
"I Think You Need Love": A strong, soulful ballad.
While musically strong and artistically successful in showing Warwick's versatility, it was her lowest-charting studio album at the time, beginning a difficult chart period for her.
Overall, Just Being Myself is considered a solid, emotionally rich album from Warwick's often-overlooked Warner Bros. period, showcasing her adaptability and delivering soulful gems, even if it wasn't a major commercial hit initially. Today, it's celebrated by collectors for its breaks and soulful depth, especially for hip-hop producers.
The Windows Of The World
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:04
A2 Walk Little Dolly
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:27
A3 The Beginning Of Loneliness
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:30
A4 Another Night
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 2:34
A5 The Windows Of The World
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:23
B1 (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 2:59
B2 Somewhere
Arranged By – Peter Matz
Written-By – L. Bernstein, S. Sondheim 4:23
B3 You're Gonna Hear From Me
Arranged By – Peter Matz
Written-By – André Previn, Dory Previn 4:29
B4 Love
Arranged By – O. B. Masingill
Written-By – B. Kaempfert, M. Gabler 2:52
B5 What's Good About Goodbye
Arranged By – Peter Matz
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Lee Robin 2:41
Label: Scepter Records – SPS 563
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1967
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Pop
The Windows of the Worldis the eighth studio album by American singer Dionne Warwick, released on August 31, 1967, by Scepter Records. The album is primarily known for showcasing the successful collaboration between Warwick and the prolific songwriting and production team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who wrote six of the album's ten tracks.
The album blends Bacharach and David's sophisticated pop sound with a mix of original compositions and covers of stage and film songs. The production features lush arrangements, including orchestral elements, which were a hallmark of Bacharach's style at the time. The title track itself was a thematic departure for the songwriting duo, functioning as a subtle anti-war protest song inspired by Hal David's concerns about the Vietnam War.
The album is most famous for featuring the iconic hit single "I Say a Little Prayer," a track that became a top 10 hit and helped re-establish Warwick's commercial success at the time. The song's breezy arrangement was initially downplayed by Bacharach but proved to be very popular with disc jockeys and the public.
Considered a must-have for collectors, solidifying Warwick's status and proving that great music emerged even from the counter-cultural '60s.
Track Of The Cat
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
6:54
A2 His House And Me
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
4:50
A3 Ronnie Lee
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
3:39
A4 World Of My Dreams
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
3:59
B1 Jealousy
Written-By – S. Marshall, T. Wortham, V. Barrett
3:24
B2 This Is Love
Written-By – S. Marshall, T. Bell
3:30
B3 Love Me One More Time
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
4:11
B4 Once You Hit The Road
Written-By – C. Simmons, J. Jefferson
4:03
Label: Warner Bros. Records – BS 2893
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Philly
Track of the Cat (1975) is a critically acclaimed but commercially underrated album produced by Thom Bell, featuring a mature, polished blend of Philadelphia soul and pop.
It is considered an artistic triumph for Dionne Warwick, showcasing her sophisticated vocals alongside consistent, well-written tracks that create a cohesive, sometimes mysterious atmosphere.
Produced by Thom Bell, known for his work with The Spinners, the album features lush, string-heavy arrangements and a "sleek and sexy" Philly soul sound.
Despite a peak of only No. 79 on the Billboard Pop chart, it is highly regarded by critics, with some, including AllMusic and The Rolling Stone Album Guide, giving it a perfect five-star rating.
Highlight Tracks:-
"Once You Hit the Road": A standout single that reached No. 5 on the R&B charts, described as "pure upbeat Philly soul" with potent strings.
"Track of the Cat": The nearly 7-minute title track is praised for its slinky, funky, and mysterious atmosphere.
"His House and Me": Noted for its emotional depth and resonance with Warwick’s personal life at the time.
Contemporary and retrospective reviews often call it an "artistic triumph" and a hidden gem from her Warner Bros. era. Rolling Stone famously hailed it as "her best album in years" upon its release.
The album touches upon themes of jealousy and suspicion, offering a more mature sound for Warwick during the mid-70s. It is highly recommended for fans of 1970s soul and is considered a "must-have" album for its consistent quality.