Great Songs Are Still Being Written

Thank God that Great Songs are Still being Written:  I must confess that in writing about the Great American Songbook tradition, I have to forcefully remind myself that there are still talented composers and lyricists who are alive and well and doing fine work. One great example is Johnny Mandel, composer and  arranger of exquisately crafted songs .They feature lush melodic and harmonic elements comparable to the best of the great innovators who created the tradition documented in this blog. Mandel has strong jazz influences coming out of the big band tradition and is the arranger of choice of performers like Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall and others who help maintain the American popular song presence in a world crowded with noisy and often banal songs and inelegant performances.
" Where Do You Start"  with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, is a melancholy recitation of the breakup in a lengthy relationship. One line is particularly striking as the singer reminds us " That our lives are tangled as branches on a vine, that intertwine" and the fact memories that will continue even after the departure. The closing lines are also worth reciting " I promise there will always be a little place no one will see, A tiny part within my heart that stays in love with you."
 Despite the break up, there are still some positive remnants of that long term co -existance. The words are devoid of anger but tinged with personal regret..
The song does have the effect of a intimate confession that one might have incidentally overheard-one both private and poignant in tone.
The version being featured is by Tony Bennett who has had a long and fruitful professional relationship with Johnny Mandel .Mandelalso did this lush arrangement of " Where Do You Start"  from the  album " The Art of Love"
With talents like those of Mandel and Bergmans, I'm glad there are professional quality, adult songs still being written and performed.

PERFORMANCE LINK: http://youtu.be/DBEY0UcU7WE