The Great American Songbook: Stories behind the Standards

Chuck Denison, Duncan Schiedt (Photographer)
Robert D. Reed Publishers (2006)
ISBN 1931741425
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/07)

“The Great American Songbook: The Stories behind the Standards” is a pleasure to read. The author Chuck Denison has researched the history of singers, musicians, lyricists, and composers and tells their stories here. He tells the history of these people and how their lives interacted with their music. Some of the people written about include: George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Cole Porter, Paul McCartney and Frank Sinatra.

The majority of the people written about did not have easy lives, but it was the rough patches that these people lived through that gave their music an edge. Denison talks about the music genius that this people carried within them. He also discusses those that seem touched by a muse. He writes: “The muses, the supernatural forces of beauty, art and music capture us, and reveal themselves. In an instant, we hear the melody, catch the concept and dream the solution.”

I enjoyed reading the stories behind many famous songs from the past. The ones that stood out to me included: “Silver Bells,” “Mr. Ed,” “Que Sera Sera,” “White Christmas,” “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Blue Moon,” “Yesterday,” “I’m in the Mood for Love,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” By learning the background of the song, it increased my interest in what the music meant to the people creating it. I wish that I had had a book like this when I was taking music classes in high school and college.

“The Great American Songbook,” is a great book for music enthusiasts. At only 111 pages, I wish that there was more to read about! Music teachers should definitely take note and consider this book as a supplement to textbooks. It will greatly increase the student’s appreciation and understanding of the music.

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