Singers and the Song II [Hardcover]

Gene Lees (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195115562 | ISBN-13: 978-0195115567 | Publication Date: May 7, 1998 | Edition: Exp Sub

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lyricist and editor-publisher of Jazzletter, Lees is little known to the general public but highly esteemed by music professionals and those who appreciate highly literate criticism and accomplished storytelling. This collection of his Jazzletter essays perceptively examines the work of Johnny Mercer ("the finest lyricist in the English language") and composers Hugo Friedhofer and Francy Boland, the singing styles of Dick Haymes, Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf, Jo Stafford and Frank Sinatra ("our poet laureate, the best singer we've ever had"), the reasons why big bands were killed off and the implications for song writers of the influence of French on the English language. A long final chapter, "A Journey to Cologne," tells how an international group of people made an album of songs (with Sarah Vaughan as soloist) based on poems by Pope John Paul II. A feast for those who love surprises.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

A collection of fascinating personal essays that have appeared in Jazzletter , a newsletter edited and published by lyricist Lees. The essays concern singers (Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Dick Haymes, et al.), composers, and lyricists of the World War II-Postwar era of popular music. In addition to examining the artistry involved in composing music and writing lyrics, Lees looks at the connections between popular music and social and historical trends; one essay, for example, looks at the differences between French and American language and culture, and the impact on lyric writing. Recommended for large music collections. M.J. Streiff, Carnegie Lib. of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Exp Sub edition (May 7, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195115562
• ISBN-13: 978-0195115567
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,973,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Ever, May 23, 2000

By 

jack olsen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Singers and the Song II (Hardcover)

I was simply overwhelmed by the sweep and depth of this book. It is much more than a collection of essays about Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mercer, Peggy Lee et al. It is a brilliantly written history of the great days of Amerian popular music -- circa 1935-1950 -- with side excursions into etymology, culture, the art of songwriting, geography, sociology, linguistics and, above all, musicality. Lees, himself a fine lyricist, shows and tells how it's done, who did it, where they succeeded and where they failed, and what finally happened to the era of American musicianship at its best. For those with the slightest interest in popular music, this book is a treasure.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have., April 18, 2011

By 

Bruce Hart "pilgarlic" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Singers and the Song II (Hardcover)

Gene Lees is the author of this book and I cannot say a bad thing about it. Lees was one of my favourite writers about jazz and individuals and I have everything he wrote. Yes I am biassed but this book is something one should have on their shelf if you are interested in songs and singers. Lees writes like no other. An excellent book.