"  Richard Rodgers-Master of the Waltz : "  Some of the finest 2oth Century waltzes were written by Richard Rodgers wih lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein 11. I must confess since I was raised by Austrian parents who lived in Vienna ,  the city where the waltz was embedded as the hallmark of Austrian musical traditions. There is something about the ebullient three-quarter time rhythm. the dramatic rise and fall of the melody that lifts one's spirit and puts one in a dancing mood. I began hearing these pieces at age 3 and started piano practice at Age 5, starting with Strauss waltzes and more advanced songs as I grew older included ones by Tchaikovsky and Ravel.
Here is Julie Andrews, accompanied by Andre Previn and a symphony orchestra. He, himself, was a refugee from Berlin who made his mark, first in Hollywood?; then as a Principal conductor in London, St. Louis and Pittsburgh and as a guest conductor around the world.

 https://youtu.be/urhJzgrOLAg     PART 1

" It's So Peceful In The Country " In praise of the life-giving affirmation of a rural lifestyle. This is by Alec Wilder, who wrote a definitive, scholarly analysis of the innovators who created the Great American Songbook tradition. He knew men like Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin and Harold Arlen.
The singer is Eileen Farrell, one of the few operatic and concert singers who could also master the unique vernacular of popular American song.
I dedicate this to Elva Reid who still resides on an Ontario farm property that has been in her family for many generations. We have not seen each other for many years but the memory of our family visit to her wonderful, bucolic retreat is still fresh in our memories.


https://youtu.be/m9hZ4bKnMS0

" Most Popular Songs on this Blog."
 333 Classic American Popular Songs have been posted on this blog resulting in 36,722 page views.
Data collected indicates the 5 most favourite songs 
as selected by page viewers around the globe.

* 1: " A Child is Born " Music by Thad Jones. Lyrics by Alec Wilder. This version sung by Tony Bennett.

* 2 :  Richard Rodger'  A Master of the Waltz. Lyrics by Oscar Hammestein Jr.  Julie Andrews with symphony.

* 3:  " I Wish It So"  Music and Lyrics by Marc Blitzstein.  Sung by Rosemary Clooney.

*4:  " Lotus Blossom "  A solo piano piece by Billy Strayhorn, played by Fred Hersch.

5:  ' Sure Thing"   Music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Ira Gershwin.  Sung by Dianne Schuur.
 

"  Isn't It Romantic ?"   A most cherished song by Rodgers & Hart.  It starts with a preliminary ' verse' that sets the subject and mood that is to follow in the main chorus or refrain. Lorenz Hart wrote so poignantly about love and romance  which eluded him throughout his life. His song "Nobody's heart belongs to me" is a sad description 
  of his lifelong disappointments.
The song scholar, Michael Feinstein, has an encyclopedic grasp of the Great American Songbook canon as demonstrated by his inclusion of a verse. Many versions do not use the intro and that is a shame.

 https://youtu.be/L-HjX9By0js

"  Don't Bite The Hand that feeds You " Even going back to WWI, there has always been legitimate dismay when immigrants and refugees complain about conditions after having been accepted in countries like Canada, Great Britain, the USA and Australia.
This is a reasonably restrained version of the song by Gene Autry. It expresses what many people feel about ingratitude of some newcomers to a better place only to complain.

 https://youtu.be/AJHuX2Xio7A

"  I Loved You " This song is based on a poem written several hundred years ago by Alexander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet. He was descended from a line of African princes and is still a cherished figure in Russian artistic circles.
The poem was set to music by Claus Ogerman, a German arranger and orchestrator and sung by the Singers Unlimited. The orchestra is led by Robert Farnon, noted Canadian composer and arranger. This is a marriage between Russian Poetry and modern classical composition and sung by an amazing group of singers very much in the Great American Songbook tradition.

 https://youtu.be/_mKKpckIP0

" I'll Be Seeing You "  Music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Irving Kahal. This song evokes many memories of WW Two. Many families and loved ones were separated during the turmoil of that war and the lyrics evoked the memories of loved ones, hoping that soldiers would again return home. Memories such as " The old familiar places, A children's carousel, a chestnut tree, a wishing well ." The singer is Judy Collins whose plaintive and reflective performance clearly expresses the longing inherent in the song.

 https://youtu.be/175ck3rY6ZY

"  You Fascinate me So"  Another Cy Coleman song . with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh ( Witchcraft lyrics) Sung by Morgana King in a very rhymic arrangement that makes one want to tap toes, fingers and anything else at hand.
Ms. Leigh had some of the same rhyming ingenuity as Lorenz Hart, of Rodgers & Hart fame.

https://youtu.be/0wA4YlpdsiY 

"  The Best is Yet To Come"  Given current events, is it believable that the best is still yet to come ?  Regardless, this bouncy song by Cy Coleman was written at a time when such optimism was possible. The singer, Morgana King. She played Marlon Brando's wife in Godfathers 1 & 11 because she had an Italian heritage and advised the Director on many unique Sicilian traditions.

 https://youtu.be/OAV0VrAbApY

"  I Love MY Wife '  (But my eyes do wander)   Cy Coleman wrote a wonderful score for a musical called " I Love My Wife"  The title song confesses the wandering and somewhat salacious point-of-view of a husband who confesses a desire for dalliance. Whether one approves is a personal matter. Regardless of the lyrics intent, the song itself is a marvellous creation and sung so well by Sinatra whose marriages were at best rocky. The arrangement picks up the spirit of waltz meter which always makes a song really move.

 https://youtu.be/qcffy3V7ydw

"  The Folks Who Live on the Hill"   A classic Jerome Kern melody supported by very poetic and wistful lyrics bt Oscar
Hammerstein 11. Peggy Lee captures the sentiment about sharing a place in hill country. The arrangement isby Nelson Riddle who asked Frank Sinatra to conduct Peggy Lee's performance knowing that he could coax the most from the singer, the orchestra and the Riddle arrangement. Given the perilous times, the thought of pursuing a place to share an idyllic hideaway is a most fetching notion. Would that we could.

 https://youtu.be/Q4KqMKq8m_Q

' " Rain-Falling from the skies " This is a most emotionally reflective song with the singer wanting the "rain to wash away my tears." This is Sinatra at what he does best-showing his emotional nakedness during another love quandary. Listen near the end when he becomes more optimistic for " When that sun appears, I'll see my love again !"
Nelson Riddles arrangement recreates the sounds of falling rain in a most atmospheric manner.
Great song, great singer, great arranger-a musical trifecta. 

https://youtu.be/XLjtJZdBhtE 

This not an American Popular song.  However, Maurice Ravel, outstanding French impressionist composer, was highly influenced by American jazz. You can hear it the first movement of his Concerto in G.
Gershwin wanted to study with Ravel in Paris. Ravel asked him "   How much money did you make last year ? "
Gershwin answered " $ 100,000 USD."
Ravel then answered " I want to study with you !"

The bristling excitement of  the American zeitgeist ( spirit) in the 20's and 30 's is evident in this piece of music. It's Ravel's answer to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and American in Paris.

 https://youtu.be/FX4y7EMBG6A

" My One and Only Love "  This is a most tender tribute to the one designated as the One and Only Love . Written by Mellin & Wood, it has been covered by Frank Sinatra, Julie London and many other well-known singers of mature, popular songs. This version by Sophie Millman stands up to any of the versions performed by more famous singers . I sate this for the following reasons. Born in Russia and raised in Israel, Ms. Millman imbues the fine melody and endearing
lyrics with a low-burning, incandescent glow. It is supported by a gently pulsating bossa nova type rhythm that moves the song forward that does not overpower the singer's delightfully langorous interpretation. There is an elegant and unexpected accordion passage in the arrangement that adds even more grace to this recording. The world is fortunate that younger singers continue to find and interpret song "standards" that have stood the test of time and speak to all generations of listeners who favour well-made, literate songs
Thank you very much Sophie Millman.

https://youtu.be/3vYVUsaR9ec