Here I Am

Dionne Warwick's early- and mid-'60s Scepter Records catalog stands as some of her finest and most prolific works in conjunction with the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. By the time of Here I Am in 1966, the superhuman nature of the trio's relationship had resulted in five long-players in three years, not counting soundtracks and live albums, which would bring the total to seven during the same time. Although some of their most successful collaborations were still ahead of them, the marriage of the duo's well-crafted and distinct pop songs with Warwick's light, supple vocals again resulted in several masterpieces. "Are You There (With Another Girl)," "Window Wishing," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," and "Long Day, Short Night" are but a few of the hits and listener favorites on this album. In addition to the eight Bacharach/David pieces, Warwick truly demonstrates her versatility as an interpreter on the inimitable cover of the Gershwin standard "I Loves You, Porgy." Her voice conveys the noir tale with haunting resonance. In direct contrast is the joyous "This Little Light," which furthers the evidence supporting her skills as a performer and features Warwick's solo piano accompaniment. In 1995, U.K.-based Sequel Records paired Here I Am with the 1967 follow-up Here Where There Is Love on a single CD. The latter would continue the hit parade with "Alfie" and "What the World Needs Now" and is also notable for the cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind." [Collectors Choice reissued the CD in 2007.]