From Irving Berlin to Cy Coleman, from “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” to “Big Spender,” from Tin Pan Alley to the MGM sou...
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Aug 23, 2008
Hope
rated it: 
This book is a big disappointment. I wish I could say I was learning about the composers, but the writing style is just too chatty, confusing and "inside baseball". I find it hard to glean much of any substance. I will continue reading it but a little at a time.
I have decided to put this book aside - there's no reason to finish it because I could learn more about the musicians from reading about them on wikipedia. If I could give no stars, that's what this book deserves.
I have decided to put this book aside - there's no reason to finish it because I could learn more about the musicians from reading about them on wikipedia. If I could give no stars, that's what this book deserves.
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Feb 05, 2009
Although no musicologist, Wilfrid Sheed has been around the block. He has written acclaimed novels and nonfiction books, most notably on baseball and literature. Here, he displays a lifelong passion for jazz and recounts his interaction with some of the greats in this engaging, knowledgeable, opinionated, and occasionally-some of Sheed's more obscure references may lose the neophyte-aggravating look at the Golden Age of music in America. The House That George Built doesn't reach the status of, s
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Mar 02, 2010
Rose
rated it: 
I read this book last March and April while recuperating from surgery. My grandson and I read it aloud to each other. He is a budding musician; I am an aging music lover and former professional dancer.
I was fascinated by the drive and talent of the Gershwin brothers, and all of their talented associates who wrote wonderful music in the 30's, 40's and beyond.
I want to reread this one. It was interesting discussing our musical discoveries from this book. Though Ril More...
Feb 11, 2010
David
rated it:
I bailed out on this book after 60 pages. Sheed did not succeed in helping me appreciate Irving Berlin, and his chapter on George Gershwin, whom I admire, did not sustain my interest, bogged down in mulling about Gershwin the sportsman. Self-indulgent maundering in need of a strong editor.
Dec 16, 2009
Tom
rated it: 
A must-read for any lover of the American Songbook. My review appeared in Newsday on July 15. You can read it online at:
[http://www.newsday.com/features/booksmags/ny-bktopleft5289845jul15,0,7595540.story?coll=ny-bookreview-headlines]
[http://www.newsday.com/features/booksmags/ny-bktopleft5289845jul15,0,7595540.story?coll=ny-bookreview-headlines]
Aug 31, 2009
Greg
rated it:
Four stars for the interested, anyway. I'm grouchy about music writing. Usually too adjective-heavy and thesaurus-y for me. Gary Giddins is great, Guralnick, of course, Marcus when he isn't intentionally referencing things NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER HEARD OF so we know he's superior. I'll add Sheed on the topic of standards, if only because this sounds like a (his words) "bull session" instead of a scholarly blah-blah. He assumes you're interested enough - or have lived in the Western Wo
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Oct 02, 2008
Michael
rated it:
I read the first 35 pages of this book and skimmed the rest. I give it one star for doing disservice to an amazing topic. In short, this one is offensive.
The author is an old codger (b. 1931) who writes like one. I counted dozens of hoary cliches. You expect him to sneak in a "23 Skidoo." The subject is fascinating--the history of the "A" list Tin Pan Alley songs and their composers, what makes them great, and why we keep coming back to them (yes, even Linda Rond More...
The author is an old codger (b. 1931) who writes like one. I counted dozens of hoary cliches. You expect him to sneak in a "23 Skidoo." The subject is fascinating--the history of the "A" list Tin Pan Alley songs and their composers, what makes them great, and why we keep coming back to them (yes, even Linda Rond More...
Jan 02, 2009
Jennie
rated it:
This is not a linear history, but a series of essays on the songwriters and songs from Irving Berlin up to the dawn of rock and roll, and the environment that produced them. It's a very enjoyable read if you love those songs, and you're sure to learn plenty.
It's opinionated. I was not convinced by all of Sheed's views, and I got a little irritated at his cracks about marriage, among other things, but that's not really a problem.
What I do wish is for a couple more appendix More...
It's opinionated. I was not convinced by all of Sheed's views, and I got a little irritated at his cracks about marriage, among other things, but that's not really a problem.
What I do wish is for a couple more appendix More...
Jan 10, 2008
Rick
rated it:
A little box above the title describes this slim book as “A history of the Golden Age of American popular music,” a period that essentially encompasses the first half of the 20th century. Sheed describes the book as an extension of countless “bull” sessions between himself and any number of his friends who not only share his love of the songs of Berlin, Gershwin, Arlen, Porter, Carmichael, Ellington, Mercer, Kern, Warren, Van Heusen, and the other crew members, but in some cases the friends wer
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Jul 09, 2010
Kathryn
rated it:
I reviewed this one for BookPleasures.com last summer because of my somewhat professional interest in the history of American popular song.
It's very subjective and can't be used as a primer in the study of the golden age of American song (basically the 30's & 40's) but if one already has a working knowledge of the composers and issues of the time, it's great fun.
Sheed's prose is beautiful and his insights are incredibly penetrating -- I've never before read such a succinc More...
It's very subjective and can't be used as a primer in the study of the golden age of American song (basically the 30's & 40's) but if one already has a working knowledge of the composers and issues of the time, it's great fun.
Sheed's prose is beautiful and his insights are incredibly penetrating -- I've never before read such a succinc More...
Dec 29, 2007
Pat
rated it:
I had forgotten how many wonderful songs I still knew the words to until I started to read this book. Wilfrid Sheed has provided an informal look at quite a few of the great American songwriters of the early and mid twentieth century who put together what is nowadays called the Great American Songbook. They don't make them much like that any more. Rod Stewart may be recording some of these standards now (still blows my mind! - Rod Stewart - who would have thought?), but they were mostly writt
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Sep 29, 2010
David
rated it:
Not an introduction to the subject as the author assumes that you are already very familiar with American popular music of the middle part of the Twentieth Century. Idiosyncratic, discursive and witty profiles of the composers and lyricists of the Great American Songbook.
Nov 23, 2008
Paul
rated it: 
Lovely discursive mini-biographies of the makers of The American Songbook. Best read while listening to Jonathan Schwartz on the radio, scotch in hand. Sheed's warm embrace of these songs, and these composers, lends a wonderful sweetness to the book.
Aug 02, 2011
G.
rated it:
Not a true history, more of an evocation of an era by someone who was there. Interesting view from someone who truly loves his subject. Writing style is a tad too glib for my taste at times. Each chapter can be read separately.
Apr 15, 2008
Danny
rated it:
Everything you ever wanted to know about the songwriters that made the Great American Songbook. Not just Gershwin, Ellington, Porter, but almost everyone who made at least one contribution (look at Hoagy Carmichael; can you name a song he wrote other than Stardust? He's got a meaty chapter devoted to him). A must read for any piano bar drunk with an incessant itch to request the songs you grew up hearing from your parents.
Jul 02, 2008
Carolyn
rated it: 
Not what I was looking for. This author's tone was very chatty, which would be interesting for someone who already know about these musicians and just wanted to be entertained. But his stories were all about little details, and not biographical basics.
Mar 24, 2008
Katherine
rated it:
I am reading this book and really enjoying it. It makes me laugh and hum along -- all in all though it is realy a music insiders book. In the end, i enjoyed, but wearied of comments that assume lots more knowledge that i did not have or want
Mar 01, 2009
sima
rated it:
Not really a biography. It's a series of profiles on various jazz characters. Has a lot of potential, but mostly superficial descriptions. The introduction was informative, but I don't feel like I understand the era with greater depth.
Jul 31, 2008
Bruno
rated it:
Trite language and a little boring but the book contains a number of interesting tidbits about the lives of the great songwriters and the cultural milieu in which they flourished.
Feb 10, 2008
Evie
rated it:
A fairly comprehensive overview of the great songwriters of the 20th century, written with a nice personal touch by an acolyte who also knew some of the writers involved.
Jul 31, 2008
Harold
rated it:
More anecdotes and personal insights rather than straight bio. I can see keeping it around as a reference when I want to know more about a particular composer.
Apr 09, 2008
Dutcher
rated it:
Like listening to a pretty interesting old guy tell you why he loves the American jazz song. Anecdotes, rumor, fables, and some nice musicology and what-not.
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