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Title: Ira Gershwin: The Art of the Lyricist by Philip Fura, Philip Furia ISBN: 0-19-511570-8 Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr on Demand Pub. Date: June, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.75 (4 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: 4 1/2* Ira: The Wordsmith
Comment: When "Girl Crazy," the musical that introduced such endurable songs as "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," and "But Not for Me," opened in month, 1932, composer George presented lyricist Ira with a bracelet inscribed "George, the Music; Ira, the Words." The collaboration of the two brothers' collaboration produced some of the best standards and the starting point of much of the best jazz in years to come.
This book tells the musical history of Ira, Nicknamed "the Jeweler" because of his meticulous fitting of words to music, or as he put it, the construction of a music/word mosaic, the sometimes under-appreciated Gershwin wrote the clever, ironic, and always intelligent word to Gershwin tunes as well as collaborations with (Harburg, Kern, Arlen, Weill, Wodehouse, Bolton, and Duke).
As in his brilliant "Poets of Tin Pan Alley," Furia's masterfully dissects the lyricist's craft, explaining such techniques as pseudo rhymes, internal rhymes, alliteration and assonance, allusions and tone. He examines the importance of a song's "singability." Furia, as in 'Poets' traces the history of the theatre song as a stand-alone number (a la Ziegfried Follies) to its height as an integral "character" that advances the show's plot (first accomplished in "Showboat" and "Oklahoma." Finally, he shows how Ira Gershwin's style (and often his skill) was different from other lyricists of the Golden Age.
The problem is that there is a dearth of original research, especially about Ira's latter non-writing years. I wonder why the author did not interview Michael Feinstein, who befriended Gershwin in the latter year, and here receives a one paragraph cite on the next to the last page. Most of the references on the latter years come from two books alone. Furthermore, while not the life of the party like George, we don't get much of a clue as Ira's personality or personal life. Some original research into Gershwin's personal life and post-writing years would have added greatly to the book. Finally, his use of phrases such as "saying I love you in 32 bars" and "singability" is so repetitive that it becomes grating.
Still, this is an excellent book for students of songwriting and Gershwin fans in particular. There are some excellent behind-the-scenes details about how songs are written (and sometimes ruined) and it's mostly an enjoyable read. For a better overview of the best lyricists of the era, I highly recommend his earlier "The Poets of Tin Pan Alley."
Rating: 5
Summary: Philip Furia is the Master of Songwriter Biographies...
Comment: I've not felt strongly enough about a book or author to submit a review before, but as a songwriter myself, I can not praise Mr. Furia's books enough. He follows the development of the lyrist or songwriter as an artist first, before their celebrity, etc. He shows how their styles changed with time and experience. I have read two of his books. I'm starting a third, and I've bought copies for my friends. I will endeavor to read every songwriter book he produces. He lets you look inside the art of the artist, yet it still reads like a story. I'd give all of his books ten stars. Thank you Mr. Furia, for a wonderful read.
Rating: 5
Summary: S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous!
Comment: A wonderful look at a most talented man. Finally someone writes about Ira rather than George. The book is informative, well written and charming. I highly recommend it. I loved every word!
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Title: Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer by Philip Furia ISBN: 0312287208 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Fascinating Rhythm : The Collaboration of George and Ira Gershwin by Deena Ruth Rosenberg ISBN: 0472084690 Publisher: UMP Pub. Date: 01 February, 1998 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Poets of Tin Pan Alley: A History of America's Great Lyricists by Philip Furia ISBN: 0195074734 Publisher: Oxford Press Pub. Date: May, 1992 List Price(USD): $21.50 |
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Title: Cole Porter by William McBrien ISBN: 0679727922 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 05 December, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: A Short History of Nearly Everything by BILL BRYSON ISBN: 0767908171 Publisher: Broadway Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.50 |
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