Description
Reviews
Lasser knows his stuff, and the most convincing passages of the book are the moments at which he focuses his attention on the analysis of individual songs. Of particular note is the issue of race. To his credit, Lasser is aware that race would necessarily play a central role in any book on this topic. He addresses the use of racial epithets in songs of the era [...] and he frequently acknowledges the divergent perspectives of Black and White songwriters. * MUSIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NOTES *
A great contribution to documenting the collective music and urban memory of America. The passion of the author for his subject matter is apparent on every page. The book gives a rich overview of the many societal changes in that period, such as changing views on sex, romance and marriage. Lasser's book is an essential work for anyone interested in how the changing America of the early twentieth century is recorded through music. * POPULAR MUSIC HISTORY *
Lasser's book is both a love letter to an American institution and a thoroughly researched story of its heyday. . . . Required reading for lovers of American history and those who can't get enough of the catchy, infectious ditties that continue to capture the public. If you love both, then this book was written just for you. * FANFARE *
The American broadcaster Michael Lasser documents how the United States changed songwriting and songs changed the United States. Dozens of songs have 'New York' or 'Manhattan' in the title, hundreds have it in the body of the song. Even individual streets are named, Broadway being only the most obvious...It wasn't only that the setting of these songs was urban. Urbanity was their trademark. * INSIDE STORY AUSTRALIA *
City Songs and American Life, 1900-1950 draws on Michael Lasser's lifetime of close and thoughtful listening to some of the most sparkling and enduring works of American creativity. His insights throughout make this a fresh and valuable work, thoroughly researched and well-documented, yet entirely accessible to a wide swath of curious readers and listeners. Literate, authoritative, and engaging. Bravo! -- -- John Edward Hasse, Smithsonian Institution
Michael Lasser's City Songs is the most engaging, comprehensive, and provocative examination of the Great American Songbook that I've encountered. No surprise to anyone familiar with his award-winning weekly radio series Fascinatin' Rhythm, Lasser writes with the 'dazzling economy' of the best lyrics and lyricists that he elucidates. His book convinced me that the songs of the first half of the twentieth century were indeed 'urban creatures' that 'sang the city electric' by merging sentiment and wit into a unique amalgam, mingling the 'jingle of jazz and the jangle of slang' with 'the clang and clamor' of the American metropolis, as Lasser so unforgettably characterizes it! -- -- Kim Kowalke, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester
Reading Michael Lasser's City Songs and American Life, 1900-1950 is a surprisingly moving experience. Progressing through the twentieth century, as music and lyrics evolve to reflect our changing national life, Lasser locates the yearning heart in us and in those who came before us - in times of war, prosperity, giddy peace, or economic depression - in all who stir to the syncopated rhythms and conversational syntax, the fine sentiment and matchless wit, of the Great American Songbook. -- -- Jimmy Roberts, composer of the hit musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Book Information
ISBN 9781580469524
Author Michael Lasser
Format Hardback
Page Count 318
Imprint University of Rochester Press
Publisher Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Weight(grams) 1g