Lasser and Greenblatt easily break down the history and talent displayed in the Great American Songbook. From well-known songs to hidden gems, they break down what made the songwriters of Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, and more so timeless. This is a well-rounded account of popular music from the late 1800s to the 1950s…. Lasser and Greenblatt know when to home in on specifics or pull back to look at the big picture, which is much appreciated in a book covering such a large timeline. Excellent photographs of songwriters, performers, and historic landmarks help immerse readers into the period and bring the stories to life. A valuable addition for collections or courses on popular culture or music history. Fans of old musicals, movies, and music will appreciate learning more about the names and tunes they love.

Library Journal

Depending on your point of view, the Great American Songbook may be on its last legs or ready for a revival. Lasser and Greenblatt fall into the latter category. The essence of the songbook tradition, they argue, is to help singers and musicians maintain not only a mastery of technique but also the ability “to express intense emotion by merging sentiment and wit.” The songs discussed here may appear “effortless,” but, of course, they are not. The songwriters and their collaborators worked long hours to get down on paper what they heard in their heads. Lasser and Greenblatt write with great nuance and appreciation about the craft and authenticity of the work, from the early Tin Pan Alley days to the present. Among the great songwriting teams they discuss are Ira and George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, and John Kander and Fred Ebb. As the authors note, this is less a history of the Great American Songbook and more of a “personal testimony.” Each chapter includes a list of recommended recordings. An illumination for music lovers and an inspiration to songwriters.

Booklist

“Michael Lasser and Harmon Greenblatt provide a much-needed guide to the treasury of American popular songs. Readers will find themselves relishing a favorite song’s wordplay, wit, and rich cultural subtexts more than ever, plus great suggestions for recordings by superb singers.”

Ralph P. Locke, emeritus professor of musicology, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester

Even if you already know a lot of and about the Great American Songbook, Michael Lasser's and Harmon Greenblatt's book is still informative and sometimes revelatory—and, best of all, a highly entertaining read.

Kim H. Kowalke, professor emeritus, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester; President and CEO Kurt Weill Foundation for Music

“A delightful and deeply researched analysis and description of the tunes, words and stories behind each song from the period regarded as creating The Great American Songbook.”

William Bolcom, Grammy Award-winning composer, National Medal of Arts, Pulitzer Prize

“This book brought me back into the joy of performing these great songs—bravo, Michael and Harmon!”

Joan Morris, mezzo-soprano