" America Again" -Lara Downes explores America's rich musical heritage.
My blog, Classical American Popular Song, has attempted to explore the period between 1900 and 1950 when the flowering of American popular song reached an audience around the world. Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter and Harold Arlen produced a body of work that has survived to this very day.
But, with America Again, Steinway Artist Lara Downes has created a captivating portrait of the many strains that make up America's musical heritage. Lara has adroitly combined the popular compositions of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Scott Joplin with more classical pieces by Aaron Copland, Amy Beach, Roy Harris and Samuel Coleridge Taylor. Collectively these performances draw upon every possible strand of musical influences, from the blues, jazz and folk themes, to more formal compositions that still manage to reflect the restless spirit and dynamism so characteristic of the American experience. Shenandoah, the traditional folk song,is given a particularly evocative and spiritual performance by Lara Downes . She has made it her personal mission to bring the many and diverse strands of American music to the widest possible audience. Her earlier tribute to Billie Holiday is a case in point.
Anyone who wants to experience the extraordinary breadth of the American musical heritage should acquire Lara Downes tribute to her beloved country.
Already available on Spotify.
Friday 28 October 2016
Thursday 27 October 2016
SINATRA DOES SIMILAR BEATLES & JEROME KERN SONGS ABOUT MEMORIES
Sinatra does similar Beatles and Jerome Kern songs about memories..
In 1933, Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach wrote "Yesterdays" with such lines as "Days we knew as sweet sequestered days" . More than 60 years later, Paul McCartney wrote "Yesterday" with lines like " Yesterday -All my troubles seemed so far away,There's a shadow hanging over me- I still believe in Yesterday."
Both songs are personal reflections and memories from the past, something which we can all can recall from our own experiences.
Frank Sinatra does justice to both songs, first with the Kern/Harbach "Yesterdays" and followed by McCartney's " Yesterday" Dfferent styles and language but a common theme of memories with Frank with his most tender and sensitive interpretations.
Despite the many years between the creation of both songs, these performances show that mature songwriting will sustain The Great American Songbook tradition.
https://youtu.be/yu39_FjvusQ Yesterdays
https://youtu.be/rytmTeaUtAY Yesterday
In 1933, Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach wrote "Yesterdays" with such lines as "Days we knew as sweet sequestered days" . More than 60 years later, Paul McCartney wrote "Yesterday" with lines like " Yesterday -All my troubles seemed so far away,There's a shadow hanging over me- I still believe in Yesterday."
Both songs are personal reflections and memories from the past, something which we can all can recall from our own experiences.
Frank Sinatra does justice to both songs, first with the Kern/Harbach "Yesterdays" and followed by McCartney's " Yesterday" Dfferent styles and language but a common theme of memories with Frank with his most tender and sensitive interpretations.
Despite the many years between the creation of both songs, these performances show that mature songwriting will sustain The Great American Songbook tradition.
https://youtu.be/yu39_FjvusQ Yesterdays
https://youtu.be/rytmTeaUtAY Yesterday
Tuesday 18 October 2016
Sinatra and Jobim " This Happy Madness"
This is a 4 party collaboration. Antonio Carlos Jobim wrote the infectious bossa nova melody ; Gene Lees penned the intriguingly sly lyrics; Claus Ogerman crafted the pulsating yet restrained arrangement and Sinatra puts it all together. Music is certainly universal since this piece involved a Brazilian, a Canadian, a German and an Italian American.
Would that international relations could be governed by the same spirit of collegiality.
https://youtu.be/EITOu26uChg
This is a 4 party collaboration. Antonio Carlos Jobim wrote the infectious bossa nova melody ; Gene Lees penned the intriguingly sly lyrics; Claus Ogerman crafted the pulsating yet restrained arrangement and Sinatra puts it all together. Music is certainly universal since this piece involved a Brazilian, a Canadian, a German and an Italian American.
Would that international relations could be governed by the same spirit of collegiality.
https://youtu.be/EITOu26uChg
Friday 26 August 2016
Ella Fitzgerald sings " Like someone in Love ."
In 1944, Jimmy Van Heusen ( born Chester Babcock in Syracuse) and lyricist Johnny Burke wrote a lovely melody sung by Dinah Shore in the movie " he Belle of the Yukon."
It is a simple, pure melody, much in the style of Jerome Kern and Ella has a matchless way with elegant melodic lines.
Just to further demonstrarte this melodic masterpiece, I have added an instrumental version by noted alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. There is a fine string and guitar accompaniment to the lyrical outpouring of Desmond's souring improvisation around the basic melodic structure.
https://youtu.be/fa8PxCGRqYk
https://youtu.be/YWnN0hgrOQg
https://youtu.be/G8KMmZElJyhttps://youtu.be/G8KMmZElJyAA
https://youtu.be/G8KMmZElJyA
In 1944, Jimmy Van Heusen ( born Chester Babcock in Syracuse) and lyricist Johnny Burke wrote a lovely melody sung by Dinah Shore in the movie " he Belle of the Yukon."
It is a simple, pure melody, much in the style of Jerome Kern and Ella has a matchless way with elegant melodic lines.
Just to further demonstrarte this melodic masterpiece, I have added an instrumental version by noted alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. There is a fine string and guitar accompaniment to the lyrical outpouring of Desmond's souring improvisation around the basic melodic structure.
https://youtu.be/fa8PxCGRqYk
https://youtu.be/YWnN0hgrOQg
https://youtu.be/G8KMmZElJyhttps://youtu.be/G8KMmZElJyAA
https://youtu.be/G8KMmZElJyA
Sinatra sings Sondheim: " We had a good thing going" was written for " Merrily We Roll Along" a relatively unsuccessful Sondheim musical ( with a small role played by Jason Alexander aka George Costanza from Seinfeld.)
Sondheim is a master storyteller in song. Sinatra's greatest gift, among other things, is his ability to portray the dramatic elements of the music and especially the words-the songwriter's story intent.
Unlike other songs we have been featuring about the glad/sad aspects of romance, this song honestly admits that there were good things about the relationship but which is now gone. Bob Hope used " Thanks for The Memory" as his theme song. It also acknowledges the joy that once was but has now passed.
https://youtu.be/C3z-cz-bURM
Sondheim is a master storyteller in song. Sinatra's greatest gift, among other things, is his ability to portray the dramatic elements of the music and especially the words-the songwriter's story intent.
Unlike other songs we have been featuring about the glad/sad aspects of romance, this song honestly admits that there were good things about the relationship but which is now gone. Bob Hope used " Thanks for The Memory" as his theme song. It also acknowledges the joy that once was but has now passed.
https://youtu.be/C3z-cz-bURM
Thursday 25 August 2016
SINATRA and "Glad to Be Unhappy." Rodgers & Hart were always able to combine a lovely melody with often tart and seditious lyrics.
The title may seem to be contradictory-how can one be glad while at the same time being unhappy ?
It appears that Lorenz Hart believed that the ardour and headlong pursuit of a love object is so exhilarating that even an unsuccessful affair can make one euphoric . The song ends with " I'm so unhappy-But Oh so glad. "
Frank Sinatra's many romantic interludes were marked by the same sad/glad dichotomy and this song does reflect many of his own sentiments.
https://youtu.be/Kx2jhrimuGs
The title may seem to be contradictory-how can one be glad while at the same time being unhappy ?
It appears that Lorenz Hart believed that the ardour and headlong pursuit of a love object is so exhilarating that even an unsuccessful affair can make one euphoric . The song ends with " I'm so unhappy-But Oh so glad. "
Frank Sinatra's many romantic interludes were marked by the same sad/glad dichotomy and this song does reflect many of his own sentiments.
https://youtu.be/Kx2jhrimuGs
Sinatra & Jobim: " This Happy Madness" combines the bossa nova composition and guitar of Antonio Carlos Jobim, the brilliant lyrics of Canadian Gene Lees, the matchless interpretation by Sinatra and the gently pulsating arrangement by Claus Ogerman.
Sinatra himself aid this was the softest he has sung because he believed the gentle Brazilian combining of the samba and jazz influences was best served by lyrical restraint. Having Jobim play and sing with Sinatra adds even more exposition of the Brazilian music influence. One is reminded of the powerful Brazilian dance culture after seeing the Rio Olympics extravaganza.
https://youtu.be/EITOu26uChg
Sinatra himself aid this was the softest he has sung because he believed the gentle Brazilian combining of the samba and jazz influences was best served by lyrical restraint. Having Jobim play and sing with Sinatra adds even more exposition of the Brazilian music influence. One is reminded of the powerful Brazilian dance culture after seeing the Rio Olympics extravaganza.
https://youtu.be/EITOu26uChg
Tuesday 16 February 2016
CECILE MCLORIN - GRAMMY JAZZ VOCALIST WINNER
Cecile McLorin Salvant-Grammy jazz vocalist winner
Listen to this amazing performance of Poor Butterfly, a song written one hundred years ago and still as touching as it always has been.
In addition to her impeccable timing and pitch-perfect performance, it is doubly remarkable since she songs alone, without any accompaniment and yet it is so compelling.
https://youtu.be/zyU7QP2oWQ4
Listen to this amazing performance of Poor Butterfly, a song written one hundred years ago and still as touching as it always has been.
In addition to her impeccable timing and pitch-perfect performance, it is doubly remarkable since she songs alone, without any accompaniment and yet it is so compelling.
https://youtu.be/zyU7QP2oWQ4
Saturday 23 January 2016
REBECCA LUKER TELLS THE WHOLE WIDE WORDL OF HER LOVE REBECCA LUKER TELLS THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD OF HER LOVE
Rebecca Luker Tells The Whole Wide World Of Her Love
Rodgers & Hart wrote "I'll Tell The Man On The Street: for the 1938 show I Married Angel. The introductory verse rejects the traditional privacy of a passionate love by " Not telling of her love to the red, red rose Or to the babbling brook, where the sweet magnolia grows Or the Whipporwill on the hill above."- All the usual poetic and private imagery often found in love songs.
Instead the main chorus asserts that she''ll " Tell the man on the street and everyone I meet, That you and I are sweethearts."
Accompanied by the Boston Pops, Rebecca Luker delivers this poignant message with great sincerity and sweetness letting the whole ,wide world know of her now very public love.
On a personal note, I sang and played this song at my son's wedding and when I came to sing the lines " And when you're old and grey, You''ll never get away from me" the married woman in the audience over the age of 50 did show some tears. Not because of my performance but of the memory of their own lifelong marriages when they too, began to grow older and accumulate grey hair.
https://youtu.be/KOqUN37VOQ4
Rodgers & Hart wrote "I'll Tell The Man On The Street: for the 1938 show I Married Angel. The introductory verse rejects the traditional privacy of a passionate love by " Not telling of her love to the red, red rose Or to the babbling brook, where the sweet magnolia grows Or the Whipporwill on the hill above."- All the usual poetic and private imagery often found in love songs.
Instead the main chorus asserts that she''ll " Tell the man on the street and everyone I meet, That you and I are sweethearts."
Accompanied by the Boston Pops, Rebecca Luker delivers this poignant message with great sincerity and sweetness letting the whole ,wide world know of her now very public love.
On a personal note, I sang and played this song at my son's wedding and when I came to sing the lines " And when you're old and grey, You''ll never get away from me" the married woman in the audience over the age of 50 did show some tears. Not because of my performance but of the memory of their own lifelong marriages when they too, began to grow older and accumulate grey hair.
https://youtu.be/KOqUN37VOQ4
Wednesday 20 January 2016
EASY LIVING- BEAUTIFUL BILLIE hOLIDAY TRIBUTE FROM MORGANA KING
Easy Living- Beautiful Billie Holiday tribute from Morgana King
In 1937, Ralph Ranger ( Composer ) and Leo Robin ( Lyricist) wrote this lovely ballad for a movie with the same title.
In 1979, 17,000 fans gathered at the Hollywood Bowl to hear 5 major female vocalists pay tribute to Billie Holiday.
Morgana King, a much admired but lesser known singer, provided a heart-breaking interpretation of Easy Living accompanied by a wonderful orchestral arrangement.
Incidentally, Morgana King also played the role of Marlon Brando's wife in The Godfather, in which she sang a risque Italian song during that iconic wedding ceremony.
https://youtu.be/MCMmiFgOgpQ
In 1937, Ralph Ranger ( Composer ) and Leo Robin ( Lyricist) wrote this lovely ballad for a movie with the same title.
In 1979, 17,000 fans gathered at the Hollywood Bowl to hear 5 major female vocalists pay tribute to Billie Holiday.
Morgana King, a much admired but lesser known singer, provided a heart-breaking interpretation of Easy Living accompanied by a wonderful orchestral arrangement.
Incidentally, Morgana King also played the role of Marlon Brando's wife in The Godfather, in which she sang a risque Italian song during that iconic wedding ceremony.
https://youtu.be/MCMmiFgOgpQ
Monday 11 January 2016
WE'LL BE TOGETHER AGAIN AN EMOTIONAL SONG OF LONGING SUNG BOTH BY BARBARA COOK AND FRANK SINATRA
We'll Be Together Again-An Emotional Song Of Longing Sung By Both By Barbara Cook And Frank Sinatra.
In 1945, composer Carl Fischer& singer Frankie Laine wrote this tender wish for a re uniting with a loved one. Barbara Cook, a consummate singing actress is accompanied only by her pianist Wally Harper. Sinatra performs with a poignant Nelson Riddle orchestral arrangement which was included in their iconic album Songs For Swinging Lovers.
Both these singers have the happy faculty of living inside a song and making you believe that the words being sung reflect their own feelings and experiences.
https://youtu.be/FLYiOkKC-Lg
https://youtu.be/Cht_8zpSSfA
In 1945, composer Carl Fischer& singer Frankie Laine wrote this tender wish for a re uniting with a loved one. Barbara Cook, a consummate singing actress is accompanied only by her pianist Wally Harper. Sinatra performs with a poignant Nelson Riddle orchestral arrangement which was included in their iconic album Songs For Swinging Lovers.
Both these singers have the happy faculty of living inside a song and making you believe that the words being sung reflect their own feelings and experiences.
https://youtu.be/FLYiOkKC-Lg
https://youtu.be/Cht_8zpSSfA
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