"if our current songwriting were to rise towards those standards, the rest of our discourse might follow."
That would be nice, and not only would it not hurt, it would help tremendously I think. But then again which comes first "the chicken or the egg." ;-) Either way it would be nice to get back there. Just another old curmudgeon here.
You surprised me with Eva Cassidy, Max. I was introduced to her songs and voice some twenty years ago. You are the only person/musician I have heard reference her in that time. Very sad that she died at such a young age. I think her rendition of "Over The Rainbow" is the most beautiful I personally have ever heard. (Though I must say, Judy Garland on stage in her very late years could bring tears to the eyes with her emotional presentation of that song) Next time I'm in my car I am going to hit the USB source and listen to Eva. It's been awhile.
Anyone who writes music and/or lyrics on a 'whim' is genius in my estimation. God given gift, methinks. Not that it doesn't require time and effort, still...
What a truly interesting post. Manhattan, anything goes I wish you would have given us a recording of Lydia. I think this is a perfect illustration of what Orwell called good bad books or poems. Ln this case its not Beethoven but what fun.
The only possible improvement to Max's essay is this: Working in the 19-teens and early 1920s, P.G. Wodehouse set brilliant lyrics to great tunes first written by Jerome Kern.
At one time, the team of Wodehouse/Kern/Guy Bolton had five (!) musicals playing at the same time on Broadway. Their financial success creating the earliest of the "modern" Broadway musicals set them up for life. Today, Kern is known for writing the music for a significant portion of the Great American Songbook; Wodehouse became known as greatest humorous writer of the 20th century with 90+ novels and prolific short stories.
For one of the funniest Wodehouse/Kern songs — and there are en embarrassment of riches in this department — try "Cleopatterer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxlS9FMOdG8
Elton John is a genius composer but can't write lyrics to save his life. Bernie Taupin made Elton sound intellectual. Unlike the Gershwins, Taupin first wrote the words, and then Elton composed music for them. The result were classics like "Rocket Man."
Here is Edvard Grieg's great 1875 instrumental musical piece "Morning Mood" updated in 1962 with catchy lyrics by Tony Powers and Mark Barkan in "Dawning" and sung by an early version of Jay and the Americans:
Using classical melodies for pop songs was once a common practice. Here's Jo Stafford singing "No Other Love," taken from Chopin Etude Opus 10, Number 3.
Peak American music was the 1950s. After WWII, America exuded confidence in itself, and the world looked on in wonder. Our "rock & roll" was exported to the world, and they drank it up. Even our auto styles were mimicked - Fiat started putting fins on their cars.
I won't list all the 50s greats, but it covered all genres. Miles Davis' "A Kind of Blue" was released in '59.
Once the 1960s roll around, even the British started invading the music scene. It's been downhill since.
First of all I have always loved Gershwin, ever since my piano-playing mother would play "Rhapsody in Blue" on our grand piano, at night after putting the four of us to bed and kissing us good night, she smelling of "Emeraude'" perfume and green onions on her breath ( she loved them both).
She played it oh so slowly, unlike today when so-called "pianists" play it by whipping through its unforgettable, irreplaceable (I don't know how to spell it) (or define them) musical trills and phrases that so define this work and Gershwin himself, for me. Because music is THE most emotional of all the arts. I don't know or even care about the technical side, I really truly only can tell you what I like, and it is entirely how it makes me feel.
Songs, music and lyrics, are part of our culture. Culture either elevates or degrades. (Insert chicken or egg question here) Culture matters.
Great ramble today.
Where or When (Rodgers-Hart) sung by Dion (DiMucci) and the Belmonts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYIz_FH5Ym8
I was unaware of this version--thanks!
Dion, now in his 80's, is still singing.
"if our current songwriting were to rise towards those standards, the rest of our discourse might follow."
That would be nice, and not only would it not hurt, it would help tremendously I think. But then again which comes first "the chicken or the egg." ;-) Either way it would be nice to get back there. Just another old curmudgeon here.
You surprised me with Eva Cassidy, Max. I was introduced to her songs and voice some twenty years ago. You are the only person/musician I have heard reference her in that time. Very sad that she died at such a young age. I think her rendition of "Over The Rainbow" is the most beautiful I personally have ever heard. (Though I must say, Judy Garland on stage in her very late years could bring tears to the eyes with her emotional presentation of that song) Next time I'm in my car I am going to hit the USB source and listen to Eva. It's been awhile.
Anyone who writes music and/or lyrics on a 'whim' is genius in my estimation. God given gift, methinks. Not that it doesn't require time and effort, still...
Til next time,
Jim
What a truly interesting post. Manhattan, anything goes I wish you would have given us a recording of Lydia. I think this is a perfect illustration of what Orwell called good bad books or poems. Ln this case its not Beethoven but what fun.
Ask and you will receive. This is from Jim Henson's Memorial Service. It seems the song can work in any circumstance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEA5VDfm4oo
Thank you for Lydia, I appreciate it all.
The only possible improvement to Max's essay is this: Working in the 19-teens and early 1920s, P.G. Wodehouse set brilliant lyrics to great tunes first written by Jerome Kern.
At one time, the team of Wodehouse/Kern/Guy Bolton had five (!) musicals playing at the same time on Broadway. Their financial success creating the earliest of the "modern" Broadway musicals set them up for life. Today, Kern is known for writing the music for a significant portion of the Great American Songbook; Wodehouse became known as greatest humorous writer of the 20th century with 90+ novels and prolific short stories.
For what is probably the best known Kern/Wodehouse song, here is "Bill": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqAb2wrXPs4
For one of the funniest Wodehouse/Kern songs — and there are en embarrassment of riches in this department — try "Cleopatterer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxlS9FMOdG8
One of my favorite jazz performances is Chet Baker performing Look For The Silver Lining.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpRvuVOCJac
Elton John is a genius composer but can't write lyrics to save his life. Bernie Taupin made Elton sound intellectual. Unlike the Gershwins, Taupin first wrote the words, and then Elton composed music for them. The result were classics like "Rocket Man."
Here is Edvard Grieg's great 1875 instrumental musical piece "Morning Mood" updated in 1962 with catchy lyrics by Tony Powers and Mark Barkan in "Dawning" and sung by an early version of Jay and the Americans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6TjttfKw24
Okay, Ira--you have definitely raised the stakes.
Here is the Simpsons version, which seems a bit ironic in intent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ip0bgYdNu0
Using classical melodies for pop songs was once a common practice. Here's Jo Stafford singing "No Other Love," taken from Chopin Etude Opus 10, Number 3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XUHVBAoSTo
.
Elvis' "Love Me Tender" was the Civil War-era melody "Aura Lee," updated with lyrics by Ken Darby.
Frances Farmer here putting on a really big shew with it:
https://youtu.be/VCBncM1wee0?si=uaZ79NfQxQkJxNxH
She did a great job. She was obviously a trained singer. Nice of Ed to put her on his shew, considering all that had happened.
Presentation can also help elevate words and music. I'm thinking specifically of Ann-Margret and "Bye Bye, Birdie."
Thanks for this piece, Mr. Cossack.
Peak American music was the 1950s. After WWII, America exuded confidence in itself, and the world looked on in wonder. Our "rock & roll" was exported to the world, and they drank it up. Even our auto styles were mimicked - Fiat started putting fins on their cars.
I won't list all the 50s greats, but it covered all genres. Miles Davis' "A Kind of Blue" was released in '59.
Once the 1960s roll around, even the British started invading the music scene. It's been downhill since.
First of all I have always loved Gershwin, ever since my piano-playing mother would play "Rhapsody in Blue" on our grand piano, at night after putting the four of us to bed and kissing us good night, she smelling of "Emeraude'" perfume and green onions on her breath ( she loved them both).
She played it oh so slowly, unlike today when so-called "pianists" play it by whipping through its unforgettable, irreplaceable (I don't know how to spell it) (or define them) musical trills and phrases that so define this work and Gershwin himself, for me. Because music is THE most emotional of all the arts. I don't know or even care about the technical side, I really truly only can tell you what I like, and it is entirely how it makes me feel.
Try this, too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_34OADZMiA