The Great American Songbook - Music -Singers, bands, songs, rock, hip-hop, dance music, pop... - Page 9 - City-Data Forum

jazzlover · 12-19-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevxu

I think some of the great standards of the past were songs intended to be served by a dedicated singer, whereas my impression of much music in the later part of the 20th century is that it is meant to serve the singer.

Songs and artists like this are what I have in mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ImRD3OlBmc

Most of the standards in the Great American Songbook have been covered by many singers over the years. Usually, just one or two, though, manage to "own" a standard--everyone else's version is measured against theirs.

For "Angel Eyes," it would have to be Sinatra's version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll0wkmVBg_c

Of course, Sinatra was also one who made the definitive recording on a number of tunes--tunes that few have tried to cover, and tunes that will always be associated singly with Frank. Probably my favorite is "It Was A Very Good Year"--Sinatra at his best, with a great Gordon Jenkins orchestration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofDmWIx7Xc

xavierob82 · 12-19-2009, 09:17 PM

I was always a big fan of Ma Rainey. Especially "Titanic Man Blues". So haunting, like a ghost from the 1920s.

Lala Song Player - Titanic Man Blues by Ma Rainey