Stardust Melodies
by Will Friedwald
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Description
In Stardust Melodies, Will Friedwald takes each of these legendary songs apart and puts it together again, with a staggering wealth of detail and unprecedented understanding. Each chapter gives us an extended history of one song—the circumstances under which it was written and first performed—and then explores its musical and lyric content. Drawing on his vast knowledge of records and the careers of performing artists, Friedwald tells us who was responsible for making these songs famous show more and discusses in depth the performers who have left their unique marks on them. He writes about variations in performance style, about both classic and obscure versions of the songs, about brilliantly original interpretations and ghastly travesties. And then there’s the completely unexpected, like Stan Freberg’s politically correct “Elderly Man River.” This is a book for all lovers of American song to explore, argue with, and savor. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This is an important work, make no mistake. My particular pleasure: there is a very important connection between the "Great American Songbook" [e.g.Kern, Van Heusen, Porter, Gershwin, Carmichael] and America's native art form - jazz. This author teaches us about that linkage in an accessible form and is clearly an authority. Much recommended.
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Author Information
14+ Works 814 Members
Classifications
- Genres
- Music, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, History
- DDC/MDS
- 782.42164 — Arts & recreation Music Vocal Music, Singing Secular forms of vocal music Songs General principles and musical forms Traditions of secular songs {genres} Western popular songs
- LCC
- ML3477 .F75 — Music Literature on music Literature on music History and criticism Popular music
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 103
- Popularity
- 312,901
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.57)
- Languages
- English, French
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
