American Singers: Twenty-Seven Portraits in Song

by Whitney Balliett

Book Overview

In the universally acclaimed American Musicians, America's foremost jazz critic gathered together fifty-six of his jazz profiles written for The New Yorker. Now, in this expanded edition of American Singers, Whitney Balliett offers the perfect complement to American Musicians. This edition contains thirteen new biographical profiles to double the size of the original volume published ten years ago.
Alongside original chapters on such great vocalists...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195065735
• ISBN13: 9780195065732
• Release Date: November 1990
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Beautifully written

For the lover of American song and its interpreters, this superb volume is well worth hunting out. Balliett writes in a wonderfully poetic style that fully encapsulates the style and sound of each artist. The range of singers he explores is superb - those who love the art of cabaret will relish his stunning chapters on Mabel Mercer, Bobby Short, Julie Wilson; he also devotes space to such fine interpreters as Carol Sloane, Teddi King and Margaret Whiting. Balliett includes conversations with the singers alongside his own unique analysis and commentary. All in all, a completely indispensable book, the finest exploration of the art of singer popular song available.