REMEMBERING AMERICA’S FORGOTTEN MUSIC LEGENDS AND GREATEST SINGERS AND ENTERTAINERS.

“Best Musicians, Singers, Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Centuries.” A Must Read Book!!

By Theodore Nye, Syndicated Columnist. London Monthly Herald and The International Herald Daily News.  nye@internationalheralddailynews.org     

Ms Patrice Ferris on the cover of the book "Best Musicians, Singers, Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Centuries."  A publication of the Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists and TimesSquarePress.

THE WORLD OF SHOWBIZ IS UNMERCIFUL!

The world of showbiz, including Jazz, Pop, Rock “N” Roll and Broadway is unmerciful. How easy it is to forget the music and entertainment giants and pioneers of yesteryears! Time erases the glory, the memory, and accomplishments of past stars and legends. The musical heritage and treasures of America will dissipate for ever, unless, conscientious historians bother to record memorable events from the history of entertainment, the ups and downs in the careers of stars of the era, and above all, the meaningful contributions of pioneers to the world of music. This is the duty of responsible historians. Fortunately, now and then, few books on the subject surface on the landscape of “intelligent” publishing shedding lights on our magnificent singers, musicians and composers, and most cherished musical treasures, lost or forgotten for lack of scholarly research or because of changes in musical taste and preference of a generation that lost interest in the music of the golden years of Broadway, Hollywood, New Orleans and Vaudeville. The Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA) is fully aware of this bleeding truth and alarming situation. Thus, it consecrated time and efforts to publish a series of several volumes on the history of music, showbiz, entertainment, musicians and singers of America from the 17^th century to the present. By now, music lovers, entertainers, Jazz singers and musicians and those who cherish America’s musical heritage have either read or heard about the 20 volumes of the World Who’s Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment” published by FAMSPA, a United States nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of quality work of American musicians and singers.

PRESERVING AMERICA’S MUSICAL TREASURES! MUSIC HISTORY COULD BE FUN AND HILARIOUS TOO!

FAMSPA has already published 4 massive volumes. And I was fortunate to acquire those previously published tomes. But the best of the series just bursts out this week; a new volume. Volume V, that is. And the title is quite revealing and illustrative “Best Musicians, Singers, Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Centuries.” An encyclopedic book encompassing the astonishing and multiple facets of music and entertainment in America since the 19^th century, fully illustrated and enriched with almost 1,000 photos, some recent, many vintage and rare, and many others, possibly published for the first time. One would think that there is no anecdote about the world of music and entertainment that Maximillien de Lafayette, the author of this new book, has not told us in Volumes I-IV of the World Who’s Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. But when I received Volume V, “Best Musicians, Singers, Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Centuries” I was flabbergasted. An ambitious title indeed, but it truly reflects the content of the book. The book is a treasure trove of information about the personalities described. The facts the author has unearthed about the early days of entertainment are astounding, and the book is encyclopaedic in scope. But don’t for a moment think that it is dull and scholarly. Lavishly illustrated with almost one thousand photographs, some of which are vintage, some extremely rare, it is, to begin with, a visual treat. One wonders if Mr. de Lafayette got them from private scrapbooks and family albums? And the anecdotal material, gossip, and stories make the book come alive. There are diverse and intimate details about the private lives of such early greats as, Ethel Merman, George Burns, Jimmy Durante, Al Jolson, Jazz great composers, Cole Porter, and Florence Ziegfeld and his ladies. You will see Sarah Bernhard in her coffin and Anna Held on her bicycle. You will read about Broadway’s musicals and shows that created the biggest scandals in the history of entertainment in America and unbelievable intimate stories of the biggest stars of the era.

 The book also includes a list of the world 2,500 best old and new Jazz albums and CDs, by artist, by song, by year and by billboard rating. Intriguing tales of Tin Pan Alley and the greats of ragtime and early Jazz follow, including Scott Joplin’s personal life and other pioneers of music and showbiz. Gossip from early radio and the private lives of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Shore, and Rosemary Clooney, well into the fifties. Rock and Roll and Jazz in all its forms and styles are discussed in detail, including the most popular songs of each year. The fifties, with their mind-boggling scandals, such as the marriage of Jerry Lee Lewis to a thirteen year old girl, his cousin no less, and Elvis Presley’s rise to stardom, the first Afro-American recording artists and their struggle for recognition, the 300 best cabaret female singers in America, the 200 best Jazz musicians and singers of our time…are all there. You will learn how Celeste Helm and Tallulah Bankhead dished the dirt about each other. How and why the early female songwriters were not allowed to use their full names on sheet music…Nor does the book neglect the present and the shining stars of jazz and cabaret today, almost 6,000 names featured in the book. Plenty of that is there. It is impossible to cover, in a review, the wealth of information, charts, tables, lists that fill the book. You can spend weeks reading it, and I suspect many people will keep it by their bed side for months. If you have the slightest interest in the subject, you owe it to yourself to read this book, which I think is the best of the series thus far. “Best Musicians, Singers, Albums and Entertainment Personalities of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st Centuries” is without any hesitation one of the best books ever published on Jazz, world showbiz, cabaret and beloved stars who entertained us for generations. This book is a must read book. Get your copy. You can read more about the book at the website of FAMSPA.

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CDS REVIEWS  The Best of The Week

Elegantly romantic ambiance emanates from the discreet piano virtuosity, the inviting, inspiring and nostalgic voice of Frank Jackson and the musical finesse of relaxing and impeccable arrangement, all blended in a luxurious bouquet of 13 superb songs of "New York After Dark." Jazz echoes the inner feelings of passages of life. Jazz got to come to life with a fresh breeze and an outcry stronger than life. And this is precisely what we feel upon listening to Jackson's most recent album. Get a copy. First class. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

The perfect present for Christmas, this Christmas all the Christmases to follow. Barbara Montgomery's voice is like the  sound of a  10 carats diamond gently touching the face a dreamy river... it splashes and radiates beauty. It is an elegant voice enrobed with an intimate beauty, depth and human warmth. The piano solo sparkles with elegance and lyrical tenderness. Almost perfect. Even though, the CD is seasonal, it will transcend the boundaries of time and space. This CD comes really from the heart. "Lo How A rose E're Blooming" is mesmerizing, a true reflection of Montgomery's voice out of this world. Highly recommended. Add it to your collection. Rating: 5 stars out of five.

Just listen to Goldhaber's  "Like Someone in Love" and you will realize that this man can sing with style, originality and challenging romance. "The Moment After" is cleverly crafted, vivacious and happy. The bass is right on, the piano is eloquent, and the splashes of the drums sparkle. I love this album. It is a blend of a free form smooth jazz blended into unorthodox musical virtuosity and richly evocative voice. Two thumbs up. Buy it. You will enjoy it.

Judy Roberts' "The Other World" is not so good. In fact, it is deplorable, mediocre. Don't waste your time and money on this CD. I expected a better product from a professional singer who spent years working on her craft. Music could be a form of therapy. "The Other World" is just the opposite. It irritates you. Roberts' voice betrays the sensitivity of music. Rating: Forget it! Make a U turn. "The Other World" is our pick for the worst CD of the week.