Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer

A refreshingly well written book on an American icon. This biography is a pleasure to read about someone who has given the world musical pleasure. The author, Philip Furia brings the complex, nuanced personality of Johnny Mercer to life, less the People magazine type of Journalism. He also anylyzes the linguistic structure of Mercer's lyrics and why they are so successful - whether he was composing in English or translating popular hits from French or German. Johnny Mercer, whose Centennial of birth occurs this year, drew heavily on his Savannah, Georgia upbringing for his long, fruitful career as a singer, songwriter and especially lyricist. In all, he composed lyrics to over 1,000 songs with a Who's Who of musical collaborators. The book is not only about Johnny Mercer's life and work, but also about the history + evolution of Popular Music in the 20th Century. There is so much to read, learn and enjoy about this complex man, who encouraged and inspired so many. A 5 star biography.

Furia is a good storyteller with great love and understanding of the Great American Songbook. Having read two of his previous books, Ira Gershwin: the Art of the Lyricist and The Poets of Tin Pan Alley, I expected an entertaining informative read and that's what I got. This biography also has a darker and deeper dimension, as the author delves into the underlying human tragedy behind the lyricist. While the writer does not gloss over Mercer's paradoxical unsavory side, he avoids being judgmental, and waits until the end to speculate, quite convincingly, on the childhood origins of his troubled Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality. As I listened again to Mercer songs (a short discography would have been welcome) while reading the book, I re-assessed his lyrics, appreciating not only their wit but also their poignancy in relation to the circumstances under which they were written. Furia is not only a fine biographer and cultural historian; he also explains concisely and in non-technical terms what makes a good lyric tick, making the book a valuable tool for aspiring songwriters. I was surprised to learn that at the end of his life there were plans for Mercer to work with Paul McCartney, a lost opportunity, as Furia points out, for this "might have spanned the gap between the eras of Tin Pan Alley and rock, a gap that remains impassable to this day." (p. 265). It would have perhaps comforted Mercer, and may reassure Furia, to know that some of the musical icons of the Sixties have indeed recognized Mercer's talents. On their best-selling "Riding with the King" album, B.B. King and Eric Clapton covered "Come Rain or Come Shine". And more recently Dr. John, a legend in his own right, has released a tribute to Mercer called "Mercernary."

Reading this book was like taking a long train ride through Johnny Mercer's world full of love, laughter and most of all music. I've always loved old Hollywood black and white movies and most of these are filled with the songs of Johnny Mercer. Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer was a book I read in one weekend and look forward to reading again and again. The touching love story between Johnny and Judy Garland tugs at your heart as only star crossed lovers can. The heartache, firey passion and longing that pours out of his songs tells the whole story of their ill fated love affair that didn't stop even with her death. How bitter sweet must it have been for her to sing those beautiful love songs that he wrote just for her. And how deep was the pain for him to listen to her records when he knew she could never be his. I've enjoyed his music for many years and now to know the life behind the words makes it even more meaningful. No wonder the Angels Sing!

I attended Kevin Spacey's sold out concert at the new Jazz At Lincoln Square Theater here in NYC last Tuesday (Dec. 14) and listened to his incredibly beautiful voice sing not only Bobby Darin songs, but classic Johnny Mercer songs. Not everyone remembers Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer's album from the 60s; Two Of A Kind, but I do. Johnny Mercer's business manager, Marshall Robbins, sent me a photo taken at one of their rehearsals, which is framed on my living room wall. Uncle Johnny (he was my godfather) and Bobby Darin (and Mr. Robbins) are eating Eskimo Pies as they look over sheet music. Johnny Mercer was not only an American original, but a good human being. Savannah continues to hold him up as 'First Son' and probably always will. This is a wonderful book that makes him human with all the happiness, sadness and life's ups and downs. As I get older (I'm in my 60's now) I find myself going back to those glorious, sunny, happy days of Savannah where I grew up, and those wonderful Mercer songs we used to sing at cookouts on Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. This book brought back the old Savannah that lives only in the hearts and memories of those who are old enough to remember. It is incomprehensible to me that we are only five years ago from Johnny Mercer's 100th Birthday. He and my dad grew up together. This book is for music lovers and people who want to know more about America's greatest song writers. It does not disappoint.

If you've lived a while and remember the music of the '30s through the '60s, hum a tune and the chances are it will be one of Mercer's -- either lyrics or lyrics and music. The man was a phenomenon! Furia gives an even-handed account of Mercer's life, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. When he was sober, he was a prince, a genius. When he was in his cups, he was someone else. Furia gives us Mercer's Savana upbringing as a "southern boy," and that was always part of his persona. This is a book you will want to read and to skim as an encyclopedic account of his myriad works. "Skylark" is the perfect title.