Singers and the Song II

by Gene Lees

Gene Lees is probably the best jazz essayist in America today, and the book that consolidated his reputation was Singers and the Song , which appeared in 1987. Now this classic volume is being rereleased in an expanded edition.
The new edition retains a number of famous pieces from the original volume, some in expanded form, such as Lees's classic profile of Frank Sinatra. Lees has also retained his marvelous essay on lyric writing, his piece on the art of Edith Piaf, and his admiring look at the genius of songwriter
Johnny Mercer. The expanded edition offers seven new essays that are no less accomplished. Here readers will find a wonderful tribute to "the sweetest voice in the world," Ella Fitzgerald; a moving interview with Jackie and Roy Kral; Lees's account of his involvement with Bossa Nova music and his
collaboration with Antonio Carlos Jobim. We also read about Julius La Rosa, the lyrics of "Yip" Harburg, Harry Warren's unforgettable compositions, and the elegant Arthur Schwartz, writer of "Dancing in the Dark" and many other memorable songs.
Here then is an engaging volume that weaves together colorful portraits of major performers and insightful glimpses into the art of singing and songwriting.

Genres: Music, Jazz, Biography, Essays

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 1987

About the author

Frederick Eugene John Lees (February 8, 1928 – April 22, 2010) was a Canadian music critic, biographer, lyricist, and journalist.

Lees worked as a newspaper journalist in his native Canada before moving to the United States, where he was a music critic and lyricist.

Reviews

[Lynzee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and informative on numerous topics related to jazz artists and lyrics. Provides detailed historical background for anyone interested in music or jazz. Just one illumination, was the surprise that Pope John II was a poet prior to becoming a Pope. Sara Vaughan sang the studio album of the interpretations in 1984, "The Planet is Alive, Let It Live."

[C. Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice series of long essay excursions into notable singers and songwriters of the American Popular Songbook. Some well known (Mercer, Sinatra, Ella, Peggy Lee, Jobim) and others less known but with an interesting career journey.  Some of the best things I learned: that Edith Piaf emerged from the Paris gutters and despite her slight frame, became as hard as the life she lived and sung about, and that hard living accelerated her end; that the bossa nova was very likely not of Brazilian origin, but influenced by the West Coast Jazz imports to Brazil; the singers tended to come from very humble origins, the songwriters were generally from successful families and well-educated, perhaps engaged in other professions like the law.

Lees was present at the famous recording session in 1967 in which Sinatra and Jobim recorded their first collection of Jobim compositions as well as Tin Pan Alley reconfigured classics (Change Partners; Baubles, Bangles, and Beads; et al). The author our English lyrics to many of Jobim's memorable songs and relates the following:

"I went to the studio with Claus and Jobim. They began to run down the tunes. Sonny Burke, the producer, was sitting with the engineer at the control table. In front of it was a sofa. I sat down and looked out through the double glass at the orchestra. Suddenly I felt behind me something akin to a shock wave. It wasn't that someone had opened a door; the door was already open. I simply knew Sinatra had entered the room. I turned and saw him greeting Sonny Burke and others who had assembled. He had that kind of presence, which people find hard to believe. But it's true."

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you can get over his dismissal of rock and pop music, i think he referred to the 60s+ music as the "dark era", this is a great book. i particularly enjoyed his opening remarks on language and the difference between English and French songs. fascinating first hand accounts of songwriters and performers.

[Gene]

Probably the 10th time I've read this book. Lee's essays are compelling and extremely re-readable. I've never been disappointed by his books. In addition to essays about Jazz, he has written bios of Johnny Mercer and Woody Herman.