And the Welcome everyone to episode 168 of soda jerker on songwriting. This is Simon here as always with

Brian and we hope you're all continuing to keep safe and well. For this very

special edition of the show we're joined by not one but two fine American songwriters and musicians

who recently combined their enviable talents for a brand new EP

released just a few weeks ago entitled Blue Umbrella.

One is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, and a highly respected

name on his native Nashville's music scene.

The other is, well, we won't miss our words, a musical icon. A Grammy Golden Globe, Academy Award and Gershwin Prize winning

songwriter, composer, pianist and arranger, who in a career spanning almost seven decades has

had a hand in more indelible pop standards than you've had hot dinners.

We're thrilled to welcome the excellent Daniel Tashion and the one and only Bert Bacharach to the show.

What a treat. Obviously Bert has been high on our interview wish list since day one,

so as you can imagine we're just delighted beyond measure to finally have them on the podcast.

And it was a real pleasure to be joined by Daniel too. We had a great time with them both, didn't we, Brian?

We sure did.

Bert and Daniel joined us on Zoom

from their respective homes in LA and Nashville

and both were on great form,

as you'll hear in a moment or two. The EP is a lovely listen isn't it?

Oh it really is it's so strong, lyrically and musically it's got all those kind of unmistakably

baccaraki and melodic leaves and chord voices.

And it's just tastefully produced and arranged as well.

...