Paul McCartney is one obvious rival, but it is hard to think of any other artists still active today who possess a back catalogue as bulky and distinguished as Burt Bacharach’s. One of the hippest 80-year-olds around, he certainly covered lots of ground in this BBC Electric Proms concert. But you couldn’t help noting the contrast between the best of his music — intricately structured and full of deft touches — and the pedestrian way in which the pieces were strung together.

Although Jamie Cullum, Beth Rowley and Adele all played their part, their roles were so minimal that it wasn’t entirely clear why they were invited in the first place. It will probably look much more cohesive and focused on TV, Bacharach directing proceedings from the piano, and the BBC Concert Orchestra arrayed in some splendour on a split-level platform. Yet Cullum’s admirers must have wondered why the Young Turk could not have been let loose on more of the songs: it would surely have made an intriguing meeting of minds.

As it was, he gave a polished mid-Atlantic reading of Make it Easy on Yourself before disappearing into the wings again. Rowley sounded far less comfortable on 24 Hours from Tulsa, hitting some of the notes more in hope than expectation. Adele, though, did not disgrace herself on the jaunty rhythms of Baby, It’s You.

Bacharach himself took over for the rest of the evening, sharing the vocals with his team of backing singers. Since we all go round with Dionne Warwick hard-wired into our brains, it was not easy adjusting to the anonymous Whitneyesque phrasing of Michael Pagano and his colleagues. Very X Factor, you might say. Bacharach’s own voice has always been a workaday instrument. Still, even reduced to a whispery croak, it brought an undeniable touch of pathos to the lyrics of Alfie.

The orchestra supplied an efficient backdrop, although there was little that the musicians could do to raise the tone of Bacharach’s anodyne instrumental with the ominous title For the Children. Much of the subtle detail of the other arrangements was lost amidst the chatter coming from the fans standing at the rear of the auditorium. In my seated area, the incessant comings and goings of punters heading for refreshments created another distraction. The Roundhouse is a great place for atmosphere, but not so ideal for actually listening.

Editor's choice

• U2 at Nou Camp Stadium, Barcelona
• The 50 Best Movie Villains
• The 15 golden rules of theatre etiquette