(Easy Piano Songbook). Easy piano arrangements of 29 traditional songs of faith: Amazing Grace * Church in the Wildwood * His Eye Is on the Sparrow * Just a Closer Walk with Thee * In the Garden * Precious Memories * Rock of Ages * Shall We Gather at the River? * Sweet By and By * There Is Power in the Blood * When We All Get to Heaven * more.
#2399379 in eBooks 2011-06-01 2011-06-01File Name: B00Y7PHFO8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. INDISPENSABLEBy William W. KerriganThis book is patterned after David Thomsons Biographical Dictionary of Film. The font and page layout is a dead ringer for the Thomson book. This proves to be a perfect model for Friedwald; a jazz journalist; and author of numerous liner notes for cds. He excels at the short essay. Whereas his 1990 book covering much the same ground; Jazz Singing; suffered from serious organization problems; here we are given focussed entries on jazz and pop singers from Jolson and Gene Austin to Peter Cincotti and Ann Callaway. In general; Friedwalds opinions have mellowed somewhat; and are presented in a more balanced; less autocratic manner. He still champions (and for heavens sake; why not?) Louis Armstrong; Bing Crosby; Frank Sinatra; Mel Torme; Doris Day; Nat King Cole; Rosemary Clooney; and Tony Bennett; but without the abrasive denigration of rival singers and differently minded pundits that marked his earlier work. He has also found room in his heart for artists such as Buddy Greco and Barbara Lea; mentioned only in passing in Jazz Singing; and even Bob Dylan; the subject of a loving entry toward the end of the book. As Friedwald notes; he is probably among the few people around who have been listening to Mel Torme for forty years and Bob Dylan for a mere five.Though light on the biography; like Thomson before him; the entries contain usefully detailed accounts of the performing and recording careers of well over 200 singers. The book is chock full of invitations to listening pleasure. Friedwald is bound to create music collectors; or reinspire established collectors. His luscious descriptions of rare items from the catalogues of Tony Bennett; Lee Wiley; and Doris Day; to name but a few; will kick off some interesting and probably costly treasure hunts. Even if Friedwald only convinces you to get a couple of readily available cds; he will have improved your ear--and one good thing leads to another.A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers opens up the history of American popular music in a concise and yet engaging fashion. If you only have time for one book on the subject; this is the indispensable one. Not cheap; but worth every penny. It is to be hoped that the book; again like Thomsons; will be periodically updated. I am already wondering what Friedwald thinks of the new Doris Day release; My Heart.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Monumental and Delightful WorkBy Robert CampusWill Friedwalds Encyclopedia is beyond belief. This book is filled with facts and information on each of the singers; yet is humorous and insightful. I cant begin to grasp the hours Mr. Friedwald spent on research on the biographies of each subject; and the hours spent listening to the musical output of each subject. It is an Encyclopedia that can be read as one would a novel; full of humor and "inside" puns and jokes that will delight the jazz and pop music lover. (Full disclosure: I have never met Mr. Friedwald; but have seen him at many Jazz venues here in New York. It seems that he goes out as much for pleasure as he does for his business of writing).I am reading this book with joy. I am only up to the Ds; (Matt Dennis) and I just cant put it down. My leisure reading has been set aside as I devour this book. I delight in his humor; his turn of phrase; and the research in each biography. One would think in a work this comprehensive that he had countless contributors; but this work is filled with his personal feelings and personal opinions; all provocative.I have read Mr.Friedwalds book on Frank Sinatras music and recording; which is the best on the subject; as well as his many CD liner notes. His extensive liner notes on the Mosaic Records reissue of Mildred Baileys music is exemplary.The book is over 800 pages in length; in small font. If the font was "normal" this would be a two volume work. All fans of the music must buy this book. If you do I know you will get as much pleasure as I have. (I recently bought it as a birthday gift for a friend and he loves it and raves about it as much as I have).Buy This Book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. One of the best books on popular music writtenBy Ian A. DoddsFor anyone who doesnt just enjoy popular music; but who likes to know how we came to be listening to the music we have now; this book is a must. Will Friedwald has extensively researched jazz and popular music singers of the 20th century (USA) and produced a book that is intelligently written and extensive. Of course; in a volume such as this; there will always be singers who a reader might believe should have been included; but saying that does not in any way reduce the value of this work. Considering that Mr. Friedwald was not alive when many of these singers made their names his research must have been a massive learning experience for him and he has put the results of his work on the page without undue criticism. He has written about each artist from the viewpoint of the times in which they lived an analised (successfully) how they achieved their popularity.It is a wonderful reference work but is also a great read!
