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Book reviews for "Mitterling,_Philip_Ira" sorted by average review score:
Ira Gershwin: The Art of the Lyricist
Published in Paperback by Oxford University Press (1997)
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4 1/2* Ira: The Wordsmith
Philip Furia is the Master of Songwriter Biographies...
I've not felt strongly enough about a book or author to submit a review before, but as a songwriter myself, I can not praise Mr. Furia's books enough. He follows the development of the lyrist or songwriter as an artist first, before their celebrity, etc. He shows how their styles changed with time and experience. I have read two of his books. I'm starting a third, and I've bought copies for my friends. I will endeavor to read every songwriter book he produces. He lets you look inside the art of the artist, yet it still reads like a story. I'd give all of his books ten stars. Thank you Mr. Furia, for a wonderful read.
S'Wonderful, S'Marvelous!
A wonderful look at a most talented man. Finally someone writes about Ira rather than George. The book is informative, well written and charming. I highly recommend it. I loved every word!
Cultivation and Culture: Labor and the Shaping of Black Life in the Americas (Carter G. Woodson Institute Series in Black Studies)
Published in Paperback by University Press of Virginia (1993)
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Home-Based Services for Troubled Children (Child, Youth, and Family Services)
Published in Hardcover by Univ of Nebraska Pr (1995)
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The Moral Art of Philip Massinger
Published in Hardcover by Bucknell Univ Pr (1993)
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Professional Playwrights: Massinger, Ford, Shirley, & Brome
Published in Hardcover by University Press of Kentucky (1992)
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Psychodynamic Technique in the Treatment of the Eating Disorders
Published in Hardcover by Jason Aronson (1992)
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Psychosomatic Symptoms: Psychodynamic Treatment of the Underlying Personality Disorder
Published in Hardcover by Jason Aronson (1989)
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The Slaves' Economy: Independent Production by Slaves in the Americas
Published in Paperback by Frank Cass & Co (1995)
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This book tells the musical history of Ira, Nicknamed "the Jeweler" because of his meticulous fitting of words to music, or as he put it, the construction of a music/word mosaic, the sometimes under-appreciated Gershwin wrote the clever, ironic, and always intelligent word to Gershwin tunes as well as collaborations with (Harburg, Kern, Arlen, Weill, Wodehouse, Bolton, and Duke).
As in his brilliant "Poets of Tin Pan Alley," Furia's masterfully dissects the lyricist's craft, explaining such techniques as pseudo rhymes, internal rhymes, alliteration and assonance, allusions and tone. He examines the importance of a song's "singability." Furia, as in 'Poets' traces the history of the theatre song as a stand-alone number (a la Ziegfried Follies) to its height as an integral "character" that advances the show's plot (first accomplished in "Showboat" and "Oklahoma." Finally, he shows how Ira Gershwin's style (and often his skill) was different from other lyricists of the Golden Age.
The problem is that there is a dearth of original research, especially about Ira's latter non-writing years. I wonder why the author did not interview Michael Feinstein, who befriended Gershwin in the latter year, and here receives a one paragraph cite on the next to the last page. Most of the references on the latter years come from two books alone. Furthermore, while not the life of the party like George, we don't get much of a clue as Ira's personality or personal life. Some original research into Gershwin's personal life and post-writing years would have added greatly to the book. Finally, his use of phrases such as "saying I love you in 32 bars" and "singability" is so repetitive that it becomes grating.
Still, this is an excellent book for students of songwriting and Gershwin fans in particular. There are some excellent behind-the-scenes details about how songs are written (and sometimes ruined) and it's mostly an enjoyable read. For a better overview of the best lyricists of the era, I highly recommend his earlier "The Poets of Tin Pan Alley."