Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums

This invaluable book is a veritable treasure trove of scholarship, criticism and insight for any fans of the American Songbook and its finest interpreters. Will Friedwald is an entertaining, affectionate and frighteningly well-informed guide to 57 classic albums which represent some of the best singing of this classic music. I am a huge fan of this music and have listened to many of the albums he discusses, yet I have to say a number of these recordings were new to me. There were also several others I’d forgotten about and it was a pleasure to put them on once more. Like all good music writers Mr Friedwald educates you in “how” to listen as much as “what” to listen to, and he opens your ears to all the beauty to be found in these wonderful albums. As you begin to read each entry you can’t help but want to listen to the album, such is the author’s enthusiasm.The selection is drawn mainly from a period around 1950-1965, give or take. Frank, Ella, Billie, Sarah are all here, but you’ll also rediscover the greatness of Lee Wiley, Steve and Eydie, Matt Dennis, and many others.Certainly a book for connoisseurs, and a brilliant, mature collection from a true master of his field.

Cannot fault any of Will Friedwald's writings , but the inclusion of Tiny Tim baffles me .I am the proud owner of all of the other CDs.

I have been in the music business working with talented Vocalists and Recording Artists most of my life. Will Friewald's book "The Great Jazz and Pop Vocal albums" is a must read if you want to understand the famous and often overlooked best Vocalists and albums. The writing style is fair and even handed and while you may not agree with all of Will's opinions you will not be able to fault his scholarship and research. You will also get a window on the complicated world of recording and the interpersonal issues that shaped many off the finest records.

This is an impressive and very attractively produced book. The author's knowledge is clearly vast, but he writes very accessibly. Sometimes it can seem more information than one really needs to make up one's mind about a featured album and singer, but the writing is always entertaining and informative. The book is for someone who wants to go that bit deeper into the subject, having already formed an enthusiasm for the topic.

It's about pop,not really jazz. Mainly what's known as "the great American song book."A real fun read. Recommended. Inclusion of Tiny Tim still a head scracher.