Broadway & Hollywood Legends - The Songwriters Collection (Kander & Ebb / Alan Jay Lerner / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Sheldon Harnick / Burton Lane / Mitchell Parish / Arthur Schwartz / Charles Strouse)

Rating:
Summary: More than Nostalgia: This is History
Review: In the 1980's Producer Sonny Fox started taping sessions with the great Broadway composers & lyricists based on a series of lectures that were held at New York's 92nd Street Y. Now, after more than 2 decades, these are finally being released on DVD, and what a treasure they are. In addition to being among the musical greats of the 20th century, the artists in this set are also consummate performers who know how to tell a story. They are also wise enough to know that most of their songs should be sung by trained Broadway professionals (although "Yip" Harburg's "Last Night When We Were Young" will tear your heart out!)The strongest set is, arguably, Burton Lane's, although I might be prejudiced as I think Lane is the most under-rated Broadway composer ever. The weakest, and most fascinating, is lyricist Mitchell Parish's wherein he REFUSES to make ANY mention of the composers who wrote the melodies to which he set the words. This includes Hoagy Carmichael who penned a little item called "Stardust" (lyrics: Parrish). But I quibble. EVERY set is a masterful rememberance of a time when music & lyrics were meant to MEAN something. And we're there with the folks who made it all happen. It's Nirvana (and I don't mean the band!)

Rating:
Summary: More than Nostalgia: This is History
Review: In the 1980's Producer Sonny Fox started taping sessions with the great Broadway composers & lyricists based on a series of lectures that were held at New York's 92nd Street Y. Now, after more than 2 decades, these are finally being released on DVD, and what a treasure they are. In addition to being among the musical greats of the 20th century, the artists in this set are also consummate performers who know how to tell a story. They are also wise enough to know that most of their songs should be sung by trained Broadway professionals (although "Yip" Harburg's "Last Night When We Were Young" will tear your heart out!)The strongest set is, arguably, Burton Lane's, although I might be prejudiced as I think Lane is the most under-rated Broadway composer ever. The weakest, and most fascinating, is lyricist Mitchell Parish's wherein he REFUSES to make ANY mention of the composers who wrote the melodies to which he set the words. This includes Hoagy Carmichael who penned a little item called "Stardust" (lyrics: Parrish). But I quibble. EVERY set is a masterful rememberance of a time when music & lyrics were meant to MEAN something. And we're there with the folks who made it all happen. It's Nirvana (and I don't mean the band!)