One of the reasons the Great American Songbook has been alive for more than 100 years, and will likely live forever, is because there are always new renditions of the songs.
Many of the tunes that were published decades ago have been recorded dozens or even hundreds of times over the years. I often wonder what it must have been like for, say, Richard Rodgers, to have heard a new iteration of one of his melodies, maybe by a pop singer or a big band or a symphony orchestra or even a troubadour with only a guitar, a mike and a light.
Here’s a good example. Listen to Frank Loesser singing one of his own songs from How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. (He did it as a demo disc when they were raising money for the Broadway production). Then, listen to Frank Sinatra swing the tune with the Count Basie Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones. We’ll probably never know what Loesser felt when he first heard this remarkable rendition of his song; but I know what I think, and I’m guessing you as well: it’s spectacular.
Listen to Jim’s musical note on “I believe in you” by Frank Loesser and Frank Sinatra
Hear them on YouTube and try to catch Jim’s note on both songs.
Frank Loesser:
Frank Sinatra:
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