ML
Michel Legrand has died, one of the top film composers of the last half century. He was nominated for a bunch of Oscars and won three. More important, his music is still being heard every time someone watches one of his old films or TV shows, or listens to one of his albums.
posted by LAGuy @ 9:30 AM
2 Comments:
Watching the third clip: He's a good singer.
Somehow I had the impression that most Broadway and Hollywood composers don't sing their own songs, and might not have particularly strong voices. Is there any truth to that?
This clip shows Harold Arlen singing, but he only sings bits -- he turns the floor over to the professional singers for the dramatic parts of the songs.
Cole Porter singing his songs. Not as impressive as the versions I know! But is that because he's a weak singer, or am I unfairly comparing him to the all-time greats who covered his songs? Is Cole versus Ella an unfair match-up?
You're correct, most Broadway and Hollywood songwriters weren't or aren't professional singers. Some couldn't even carry a tune, though a few weren't bad and others were better than that.
Arlen actually started as a professional singer and pianist before he made his reputation as a songwriter.
Porter did record a few tunes, and they're charming, but it was understood he was no singer.
Most songwriters could sing sufficiently to demonstrate their stuff, but knew enough not to try to make a living at it.
As few would perform occasionally--you should look up Irving Berlin doing "Oh How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning"--not much of a voice, but he puts it over. Frank Loesser used to perform "Baby It's Cold Outside" at parties with his wife before he gave the song to the movies and won an Oscar.
And there were a few songwriters of the Great American Songbook who actually were on a professional level, such as Johnny Mercer, or Comden and Green.
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