American Songbook: The Singers, Songwriters & the Songs

I bought this book to contribute to the music education of my 13 year old drummer grandson, who happens to love jazz, big band and American standards. This book was just perfect. Beautiful pictures, well written biographys of the American music greats. Wonderful tidbits and background on everyone in the American popular music business, from the singers, band leaders, songs, and songwriters. Very fun, entertaining, and educational.

I loved the book, especially when I noticed the review of Darlene and Jonathan Edwards' work, on page 51. They are in my fairly extensive LP library and I thought I was one of a very few who had ever heard of them---and knew their secret. The owner of a radio station I worked for years ago wasn't acquainted with them, and when he listened he was, to say the least, astonished. Obviously (I hope) Ken Bloom does know all about them. If he does not, my opinion of his book may take a change for the worse. Buy the book! It's great!

This is a superb "dipper-inner"! If you are into the songs that have become American standards, you will find in this book a wealth of entertainment. The photos are chosen for interest and the anecdotal material--gossipy, behind-the-scenes stories about singers and songwriters--is fascinating. The book is pretty darn comprehensive with short pieces on the more obsucre songwriters and singers and in depth pieces on the greatest American singers and songwriters of the 20s,30s,40s and 50s. The index is thorough and very useful. Allen Johsnon, Jr. - Kid's writer and jazz guitarist

"Ken Bloom's superb The American Songbook has the unique quality of service to two distinct audiences. Readers of a certain age will enjoy hours of pleasure recalling the music of their lives and responding to the inevitable impulse to listen to records they haven't played for years. Young people like those in my university musical theater courses will encounter the music and the people who made it- in their historical contexts- and will be led maze-like to new experiences as they seek out films and recordings in libraries and nostalgia bins. And not least, The American Songbook will help extend the great contributions of Bloom's subjects into the new century."