Remakes, Covers and Tributes: The Next Generation of The Great American Songbook

Oct 05, 2018

By Valerie Massie

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It was quite a show last Sunday spotlighting ‘The Great American Songbook – Classics Edition’ – with such all-time favourites as ‘Over the Rainbow’, ‘As Time Goes By’, ‘Star Dust’, ‘The Sound of Music’, The Way You Look Tonight‘ and many others. These were all composed by the giants of old New York’s ‘Tin Pan Alley’ – mostly for Broadway, and later Hollywood, musicals – legends like Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, George & Ira Gershwin, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Some of those shows became stage classics themselves (like ‘Show Boat’ and ‘Anything Goes’) and film classics (like ‘Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Casablanca’).
Last week’s show deserves a sequel – since so many of those evergreen songs have stood the test of time indeed. Some of those songs are approaching 90 and even 100 years since their creation – yet new generations constantly re-discover, and re-invent them. That’s what THIS week’s show is all about: ‘The Great American Songbook – Revival Edition‘. You’ll hear rockers, outlaw country stars, and a new crop of crooners recreating these wonderful songs for today’s audiences. That’s just the first hour.
Then after the 3 o’clock news, I’ll welcome my pal Robbie Lane to co-host the rest of the show right through to 4:30. It’ll be HIS birthday on October 7th, but it’ll be our pleasure to hear Robbie tell us about the early days of ‘The Toronto Sound’ and how it developed in those Yonge Street clubs during the 1960s. He’ll tell us about his formative years with Ronnie Hawkins, then leading his Disciples onto the pop charts and TV shows of the era, before exploring solo opportunities and branching out into broadcasting. A ton of great songs – some surprises – fascinating stories (but, sorry, no turkeys)! It’ll be a great way to spend good radio time on Thanksgiving Sunday afternoon.
I look forward to you joining us for a special edition of ‘Vintage Favourites’ – this Sunday from 2:00 to 4:30, on Zoomer Radio. 
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