Crooner : singing from the heart from Sinatra to Nas /

Publication Type:

Book

Authors:

Coles, Alex,

Source:

Reaktion Books,, London, England, p.206 pages : (2023)

ISBN:

1789147662

Call Number:

ML1460

Keywords:

bisacsh, Crooning, fast, History., MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Pop Vocal., MUSIC / History & Criticism.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references, discography (pages 192-193) and index.Introduction -- 1. Frank Sinatra: 'What's New?' (1958) -- 2. Scott Walker: 'It's Raining Today' (1969) -- 3. Barry White: 'Bring Back My Yesterday' (1973) -- 4. David Bowie: 'Word on a Wing' (1976) -- 5. Bryan Ferry: 'When She Walks (in the Room)' (1978) -- 6. Tom Waits: 'Ruby's Arms' (1980) -- 7. Grace Jones: 'Unlimited Capacity for Love' (1982) -- 8. Ian McCulloch: 'Ocean Rain' (1984) -- 9. Nick Cave: 'Far from Me' (1997) -- 10. Nas: 'Bye Baby' (2012) -- Conclusion.Crooners sing close to the mic in a soft, intimate style. In this book Alex Coles explores the crooner in popular music from the 1950s to the present. Each chapter focuses on one song and one singer--Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, Barry White, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Tom Waits, Grace Jones, Ian McCulloch, Nick Cave and Nas--and examines in detail how each contributes to the crooner image. The book describes how crooners traverse era, gender, geography and genre. Where Barry White developed out of disco, Nick Cave sprung from alternative rock; where Grace Jones was born from reggae and funk, Nas originated from hip-hop. Ultimately, Coles shows how the crooner continues to be a figure that enables listeners to reflect on and communicate their emotions.