(Don’t) Walk on By: Real Gone Collects Dionne Warwick’s “Complete Scepter Singles”

February 15, 2023 By The Second Disc — 24 Comments
Dionne Warwick Complete Scepter Singles
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From the moment she burst onto the music scene in 1962 exhorting “Don’t Make Me Over,” Dionne Warwick has been a musical force with which to be reckoned.  The legendary singer blended elegant pop and deeply felt soul in a fashion which remains unrivaled today for its sophistication and polish; her signature songs such as “Walk On By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Alfie,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” have all become cornerstones of the new American songbook. Those songs were all co-written and co-produced by the team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David; Warwick has often described her relationship with them as “the triangle marriage that worked.”  Last week, Bacharach passed away at the age of 94, prompting the singer to reflect, “Burt’s transition is like losing a family member.  These words I’ve been asked to write are being written with sadness over the loss of my Dear Friend and Musical Partner.”  (Hal David died in 2012 at 91.)  Yesterday, Real Gone Music announced the release of a long-in-the-works compendium that definitively celebrates “the triangle marriage that worked.”

The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973, due April 7 on 3 CDs, is a set for which Dionne fans have long been waiting: a complete collection featuring the A- and B-sides of every one of her classic Scepter Records singles (plus two bonus sides originally issued on the Musicor label).  A total of 74 songs are featured including all of the classic original Bacharach/David productions as well as deep cuts such as “Slaves,” “Amanda,” “He’s Moving On,” “Walk Little Dolly” (a favorite of Bacharach collaborator Elvis Costello), and many, many more: a total of more than 30 entries on the Hot 100, seven of which hit the Top 10 (not to mention plentiful AC and R&B smashes).  “Message to Michael,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Promises, Promises,” “Trains and Boats and Planes,” “This Girl’s in Love with You,” and the Andre and Dory Previn-penned “(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls” are just a few of the timeless gems heard here as they were first heard on AM radio in the 1960s and beyond.  The set follows Real Gone’s 2013 release of Warwick’s Complete Warner Bros. Singles.
Every track on this anthology is presented in its original mono single mix, except for a few later titles originally issued as stereo singles.  Mike Milchner at SonicVision has remastered the singles from original tape sources while veteran music journalist Paul Grein has provided liner notes.  John Sellards has designed the package which includes rare photos of Warwick in the 28-page booklet.  Eagle-eyed readers might remember that this collection was originally offered under the title The Complete 1960s Singles Plus by TJL Productions in 2018 as a Public Television pledge premium.  This first-time release to general retail features new design elements and is limited to just 3,000 units.
Dionne Warwick’s The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 is a remarkable and comprehensive tribute to the singer’s enduring collaboration with the late Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  It hits stores on April 7 from Real Gone Music.  You’ll find the track listing and pre-order links below for both Amazon and directly via Real Gone Music (where it is currently available at a lower price point for those with a U.S. shipping address).
Dionne Warwick, The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 (Real Gone Music, 2023) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)

CD 1

  1. I SMILED YESTERDAY
  2. DON’T MAKE ME OVER
  3. THIS EMPTY PLACE
  4. WISHIN’ AND HOPIN’
  5. MAKE THE MUSIC PLAY
  6. PLEASE MAKE HIM LOVE ME
  7. ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART
  8. THE LOVE OF A BOY
  9. WALK ON BY
  10. ANY OLD TIME OF DAY
  11. YOU’LL NEVER GET TO HEAVEN (IF YOU BREAK MY HEART)
  12. A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME
  13. REACH OUT FOR ME
  14. HOW MANY DAYS OF SADNESS
  15. YOU CAN HAVE HIM
  16. IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO LOVE YOU
  17. WHO CAN I TURN TO
  18. DON’T SAY I DIDN’T TELL YOU SO
  19. HERE I AM
  20. THEY LONG TO BE CLOSE TO YOU
  21. LOOKING WITH MY EYES
  22. ONLY THE STRONG, ONLY THE BRAVE
  23. ARE YOU THERE (WITH ANOTHER GIRL)
  24. IF I EVER MAKE YOU CRY
  25. MESSAGE TO MICHAEL
  26. HERE WHERE THERE IS LOVE

CD 2

  1. TRAINS AND BOATS AND PLANES
  2. DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART
  3. I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF
  4. IN BETWEEN THE HEARTACHES
  5. ANOTHER NIGHT
  6. GO WITH LOVE
  7. ALFIE
  8. THE BEGINNING OF LONELINESS
  9. THE WINDOWS OF THE WORLD
  10. WALK LITTLE DOLLY
  11. I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER
  12. (THEME FROM) VALLEY OF THE DOLLS
  13. DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE
  14. LET ME BE LONELY
  15. WHO IS GONNA LOVE ME?
  16. (THERE’S) ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME
  17. PROMISES, PROMISES
  18. WHOEVER YOU ARE, I LOVE YOU
  19. THIS GIRL’S IN LOVE WITH YOU
  20. DREAM SWEET DREAMER
  21. THE APRIL FOOLS
  22. SLAVES
  23. ODDS AND ENDS
  24. AS LONG AS THERE’S AN APPLE TRE

CD 3

  1. YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELING
  2. WINDOW WISHING
  3. I’LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN
  4. WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE
  5. LET ME GO TO HIM
  6. LONELINESS REMEMBERS WHAT HAPPINESS FORGETS
  7. PAPER MACHE
  8. THE WINE IS YOUNG
  9. MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF
  10. KNOWING WHEN TO LEAVE
  11. THE GREEN GRASS STARTS TO GROW
  12. THEY DON’T GIVE MEDALS TO YESTERDAY’S HEROES
  13. WHO GETS THE GUY
  14. WALK THE WAY YOU TALK
  15. AMANDA
  16. HE’S MOVING ON
  17. THE LOVE OF MY MAN
  18. HURTS SO BAD
  19. RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD
  20. I’M YOUR PUPPET
  21. THE GOOD LIFE
  22. MEDLEY: REACH OUT & TOUCH (SOMEBODY’S HAND)/ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE
  23. ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK A HEART
  24. IF I RULED THE WORLD
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The Second Disc
The Second Disc

The Second Disc is devoted to the weird, wild and wonderful world of music catalogue projects. Every week, Mike Duquette, Joe Marchese, and Randy Fairman bring you news, reviews, commentary and features on remasters, reissues, compilations and box sets.

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24 thoughts on “(Don’t) Walk on By: Real Gone Collects Dionne Warwick’s “Complete Scepter Singles””

  1. Robert Lett

    Are the “new design elements” just they typeface on the cover or what exactly? I have the prior issue of this so I’m probably good. (first two songs on CD one are switched around, that’s odd)

    Reply
    1. Rhubarb

      “Don’t Make Me Over” was originally the B-side of “I Smiled Yesterday” until Scepter switched the sides. So I guess either order make sense.

      Reply
    2. Joe Marchese

      The artwork has been redesigned but if you have the TJL set, you have the same notes and photos. I can confirm, too, that “I Smiled Yesterday” is Track 1 and “Don’t Make Me Over” is Track 2 on this new edition.

      Reply
      1. Martin

        I’m confused – I have the PBS release (bought used) and it has I Smiled Yesterday as track 1 and Don’t Make Me Over as track 2. Were there two pressings of the PBS set?

        Reply
    1. Gary Thompson

      Not currently (16/2/23) unfortunately, and none of the other 3 retailers listed will ship to the UK. Great job brexiters!

      Reply
  5. Harry N Cohen

    I have a love/hate relationship with Dionne. There is no denying the great Burt and Hal songs,or Dionne’s voice at that time.
    I saw Dionne in concert in 1980. 30 minutes into her show, she complained about the lighting. Apparently the lighting guy did not respond quickly enough, so Dionne stopped mid song and started berating him, calling him among other things, “A retarded paraplegic”.
    She then left the stage and did not return. The audience left in stunned silence.
    I have been attending concerts since 1969, and have NEVER encountered such an unprofessional display.
    Having said that,and having spent the last week, listening to lots of Dionne, I must end this note , and click to buy.

    Reply
  7. Randy

    I appreciate why people like mono, as well as the point of a collection like this. But, I’m a stereo guy. I’d argue that – especially considering Bacharach’s intricate, baroque arrangements – stereo’s the way to go here. I just spent a couple of hours listening to the stereo LP versions and, boy, do they sound great! Wish I could have both…

    Reply
  8. Robert

    I don’t know how many versions of these songs will be enough but I am damned tempted to click “buy”. On another note I am thoroughly enjoying the recent released “Sure Thing – the Warner Recordings” which have held up really well. I guess I am on a Dionne bender at the moment.

    Reply
  10. Galley

    I am happy to report that this collection is packaged in a good old “Fatboy” case, and not a Digipak!

    Reply
    1. Larry Davis

      Yes it is…and my only disappointment…the old school Fatboy case cheapens the presentation package IMO…they could have put the Fatboy in a slipcase at least…my preference would have been an 8-panel CD wallet with 4 pockets…and spot varnishing…

      Reply
  11. Philip Houldershaw

    I can’t understand why the price of this set is so high. It works out about £15 a disc plus a fiver for the package. I would normally jump at purchasing this but I feel like this is a rip off.
    I made the decision to buy the new Nana Mouskouri French recording box set instead. 20 discs for £80. There’s no contest.

    Reply
    1. Avatar photo
      Joe Marchese

      I can’t speak directly to the Dionne collection as I wasn’t involved with it, but I can speak from a general perspective. The cost of licensing is a major one; the Nana box is released by Universal and the material is owned by Universal, so there’s no licensing fee involved. The rate for mechanical royalties to songwriters is MUCH, much higher in America than in Europe (and actually rose at the beginning of 2023), which also drives up the cost of an extensive collection such as the Dionne set. This is one reason we rarely see U.S. multi-disc boxes such as the Nana one (or the recent James Last box). Lastly, the cost of importing releases has risen considerably since Brexit. This could all explain why the Dionne set is priced at a comparatively high amount. I’m sure if Real Gone could charge less for this title, they would. It’s a beautiful package – as is the Nana box set. 🙂

      Reply
    2. Larry Davis

      It is a bit high, but I caved because of the content & the amount of content…and the care that went into compiling the set…Paul Grein wrote a great essay…I did catch one error in the booklet…the catalogue number was wrong on 1 of the singles: “Are You There (With Another Girl)”, it says Scepter single 12111 when it should have said 12122, but that’s just minor…as for that Nana box, I’ve never heard her music before…is it more Europop, singer/songwriter, or operatic/classical?? I know what she looks like, but never heard her recordings and wouldn’t know where to begin…another French import on Universal I want ASAP is the Mylene Farmer box covering 1986-1996, I believe it’s at least 16 discs & around $117…

      Reply
  12. ALAN

    US release today but another 4 weeks until Amazon UK say it will be delivered. Is expensive in the UK but I am assuming Amazon have added their VAT plus to the item.

    Reply

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