Stardust melodies : the biography of twelve of America's most popular songs / Will Friedwald.
| Author/creator | Friedwald, Will, 1961- |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | 1st edition. |
| Publication Info | New York : Pantheon Books, ©2002. |
| Description | xvii, 397 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Subjects |
| Contents | Star dust (1927) -- The St. Louis blues (1914) -- Mack the Knife (1928) -- Ol' man river (1927) -- Body and soul (1930) -- I got rhythm (1930) -- As time goes by (1931) -- Night and day (1932) -- Stormy weather (1933) -- Summertime (1935) -- My funny valentine (1937) -- Lush life (c. 1938). |
| Abstract | This book 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, the author tells us who was responsible for making these songs famous 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." |
| LCCN | 2001036514 |
| ISBN | 0375420894 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | Music Stacks | ML3477 .F75 2002 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |