Jerry Herman: The Lyrics

Rating:
Summary: Lavish and Well-Deserved Tribute to Jerry Herman
Review: He wrote the songs that made theater-goers feet tap all across the world. Without the melodies that go with them, the lyrics aren't as interesting or memorable as say, Frank Loesser's would be, for they lack a certain verbal sophistication. You'll see how few of them have extended lyrics, and often as not the lyrics repeat and repeat in a way which works well on stage but on the page, well, your eyes get tired. (Like "Shalom" from MILK AND HONEY, how many times do we need to hear that "Shalom" means twice as much as "hello"?) But nitpicking aside the book is great, not only for itss lavish and rare photographs, but for Herman's personal asides--saying for example that the title song of DEAR WORLD is one song he regrets having written. And some of the songs are indeed poetry, like the anxious lilt of "I Won't Send Flowers" from MACK AND MABEL or "We Need a Little Christmas" from MAME--"I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder," etc. A lyric that works not only in the theater but as a poem too. The book also includes the two numbers Herman "ghost-wrote" for the 1960s David Merrick production of BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS, as well as some miscellaneous lyrics for revues, etc.

That "Jerry's Girls" song is pretty lame though. Just skip that page if you are allergic to name-dropping and self-congratulation on a Herculean scale.

Funny how he manages in two different songs to rhyme "Zsa Zsa" with "maharajah." That's a sign of repeating oneself, a danger in a career as long and productive as Herman's. The CD is good too although I would have liked to hear Michael Feinstein interpret some of the rarer or even the "trunk" numbers.

Rating:
Summary: Great book. Highly recommended.
Review: The lyrics and notes from Mr. Herman, and terrific photos-- especially of Angela Lansbury-- make this a great addition to the library of anyone with an interest in musical theatre.

Rating:
Summary: A lively discourse
Review: This celebration of Jerry Herman's works gathers all the famous lyrics by the composer of Hello Dolly, La Cage Aux Folles, and joins them with his memories and comments. The result is a lively discourse blending previously unpublished lyrics with production photos and a special cd of Michael Feinstein performing Herman's favorite songs. Fans of Broadway shows in general and Herman in particular will relish this memoir and songbook.