Irving Berlin
New York Genius
گزارش تخلف
- اطلاعات
- نقد و بررسی
- دیدگاه کاربران
نقد و بررسی
September 23, 2019
The mainstay of the 20th-century American Songbook unified a nation’s diverse voices, according to this sprightly biography. Biographer Kaplan (Frank: The Voice) follows Irving Berlin’s rise from being a Russian-Jewish immigrant singing for pennies in New York saloons to becoming king of musical Broadway and Hollywood, composing megahits such as the jazz fanfare “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” the patriotic anthem “God Bless America,” the secular hymn “White Christmas,” and the suave love-croon “Cheek to Cheek.” There were no florid dysfunctions in Berlin’s life—he enjoyed success and acclaim from youth onward—but Kaplan excavates psychological depth beneath the blithe melodies. Berlin suffered from bouts of depression and wracking insecurity about his work (he almost discarded “There’s No Business Like Show Business” as a stinker) but persevered with a maniacal work ethic (he would tinker with some tunes for years) lit by sudden bolts of genius (he wrote “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” in a taxi). Kaplan tells the story briskly and with aplomb, adding plenty of showbiz antics, atmospheric evocations of Berlin’s New York, and shrewd critical passages that separate the musical schmaltz from the art (and find the art in the schmaltz). The result is a smart, entertaining biography of a great songwriter that will have readers humming along. Photos
September 27, 2019
Genius is the operative word. The latest entry in the "Jewish Lives" series tackles perhaps the most prolific and important composer and lyricist in U.S. history, Irving Berlin (1888-1989). With a career that spanned the greater part of the 20th century, Berlin wrote more than 1,000 songs, including "God Bless America," "White Christmas," and "Puttin' on the Ritz"; won Academy, Tony, and Grammy awards; and has secured a position as perhaps the preeminent contributor to the American Songbook. Kaplan, no stranger to daunting subjects (his Frank Sinatra biography is considered definitive), has written an extensively researched, entertaining, and nuanced account that contextualizes Berlin's story and achievements within the scope of Jewish immigrant New York and modern American popular culture. VERDICT An excellent addition to the Berlin biographical bookshelf and a mandatory acquisition for all American music and popular culture collections.--Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX
Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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