The Windows of the World - Dionne...

Dionne Warwick followed up the lukewarm reception for On Stage and in the Movies (1967) with her ninth long player for Scepter Records in less than four years. Conversely, Windows of the World (1967) would garner a favorable impression thanks in part to "Say a Little Prayer" and the hauntingly poignant and politically-tinged title song, "Windows of the World." Both are timeless illustrations of the pop perfection found in Warwick's interpretations of Burt Bacharach and Hal David classics. The same is true of "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me," "The Beginning of Loneliness" and the irresistibly groovy "Another Night," all of which were minor hits. The team also provided the secondary (read: filler) "Walk Little Dolly," sporting a gliding waltz arrangement that is custom-fit to Warwick's lilting and expressive vocal. As on earlier collections, she expands beyond the Bacharach/David songbook on a few show tunes, forecasting her impending success on André Previn's "(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls." Another Previn composition, "You're Gonna Hear from Me" -- from Inside Daisy Clover -- is included here in an impressive Peter Matz score. Warwick's deep gospel roots are drawn upon as she unleashes one of the most striking performances of her career. Matz gives West Side Story's "Somewhere" a jazzy and fully orchestrated reading that takes advantage of Warwick's innate timing and commanding pipes -- especially when holding that final "...someway..." that lasts over ten seconds. On the lighter side, O.B. Massengill and Warwick collaborated on the camped up rendition of Nat King Cole and Bert Kaempfert's "Love." [Windows of the World/Valley of the Dolls (2004) is available as a CD two-fer boasting an additional three selections. "Taking a Chance on Love" is actually referred to on the original album jacket, but pulled from the running order at some point. The Italian-sung "Dedicato All Amore" was Warwick's entry in the 1967 San Remo Song Festival, while "Lo Volce Di Silenzio" had been recorded in English for Valley of the Dolls under the name "Silent Voices." ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide