Singers and the Song II

by Lees, Gene

• ISBN13: 9780195115567
• ISBN10: 0195115562
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-05-07
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Gene Lees is probably the best jazz essayist in America today, and the book that consolidated his reputation was Singers and the Song , which appeared in 1987. Now this classic volume is being rereleased in an expanded edition. The new edition retains a number of famous pieces from the original volume, some in expanded form, such as Lees's classic profile of Frank Sinatra. Lees has also retained his marvelous essay on lyric writing, his piece on the art of Edith Piaf, and his admiring look at the genius of songwriter Johnny Mercer. The expanded edition offers seven new essays that are no less accomplished. Here readers will find a wonderful tribute to "the sweetest voice in the world," Ella Fitzgerald; a moving interview with Jackie and Roy Kral; Lees's account of his involvement with Bossa Nova music and his collaboration with Antonio Carlos Jobim. We also read about Julius La Rosa, the lyrics of "Yip" Harburg, Harry Warren's unforgettable compositions, and the elegant Arthur Schwartz, writer of "Dancing in the Dark" and many other memorable songs. Here then is an engaging volume that weaves together colorful portraits of major performers and insightful glimpses into the art of singing and songwriting.

Author Biography

Gene Lees is the author of many books on jazz and popular music, including Meet Me at Jim and Andy's, Waiting for Dizzy, Cats of Any Color, and Leader of the Band: The Life of Woody Herman. He was formerly an editor of Down Beat and is the publisher of Jazzletter.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
William and Harold and How to Write Lyrics	3	(16)
Pavilion in the Rain	19	(24)
The Squirrel	43	(10)
Yip Harburg
Style Is the Man	53	(6)
Arthur Schwartz
Jeepers Creepers	59	(10)
Harry Warren
Roses in the Morning	69	(22)
Johnny Mercer
The Paradox	91	(14)
Frank Sinatra
GI Jo	105	(18)
Jo Stafford
Paul Weston
In from the Cold	123	(26)
Peggy Lee
Sweetest Voice in the World	149	(10)
Ella Fitzgerald
Phrasing	159	(16)
Julius La Rosa
A Family Affair	175	(26)
Jackie and Roy
The Sparrow	201	(16)
Edith Piaf
Um Abraco No Tom	217
Antonio Carlos Jobim