From Library Journal
Hemming, a classic pop reviewer for Stereo Review and author of The Melody Lingers On (Newmarket, dist. by HarperCollins, 1980), and Hajdu, senior editor for Entertainment Weekly , offer this guide to music defined as "essentially American," "urban and accessible," sung in the ordinary, not necessarily technically perfect voices of the likes of Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and Barbra Streisand. After classifying classic pop into pre- and post-World War II eras, the authors attempt to illuminate the performing careers and lives of 38 singers in entries ranging from three to eight pages. Much shorter sketches profile 14 less popular, but "not-to-be-forgotten" performers. A disappointingly small amount of information is provided on specific albums, songs, or filmed performances in the form of a discography/videography in the appendix. In all its breadth, this book is also a history of songwriting, the recording industry, and music of Hollywood and Broadway. While it's a hit as a biographical directory, for specific albums, etc., it barely makes the charts. For in-depth popular music collections.
- Donald W. Maxwell, Stone Hills Lib. Network, BloomingtonCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Synopsis
Surveys the work of thirty-eight great singers.
