Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer
by Philip Furia
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Book Summary Information
Author: Philip FuriaEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2003-08-15
ISBN: 0312287208
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Book Reviews of Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer
Book Review: A superb portrait of a true great
Summary: 5 Stars
The biography of Johnny Mercer has been a long time coming: for some reason nobody thought to set down Mercer's life story before. Well, happily the first man to do so was Phillip Furia, a highly astute critic of popular song lyrics who also proves himself to be a diligent biographer. Furia had already written an excellent book about Ira Gershwin and a general overview of "golden age" pop called "The Poets of Tin Pan Alley" (also very fine). This new book continues in the same excellent vein. Mr Furia paints an enthusiastic but not hagiographic portrait of Mercer, revealing a fascinating character who was a true Southern gent - until he had a drink. Mercer under the influence was a very different man altogether, given to making deeply cutting remarks towards family and friends and generally acting in a very belligerent manner. The following morning, he would be contrition itself, and so loved was he by all that he was invariably forgiven.
The dark side of Johnny Mercer is an important aspect of this book, but Furia also spends plenty of time revealing the gentle, kind man who was ever modest about his contribution to popular culture and a tireless champion of new talent. Above all, though, it is Mercer's extraordinary genius as a wordsmith that shines through, his deceptively casual, relaxed lyric-writing style that was anything but (Furia astutely notes that Mercer's rather languid, Southern patrician air would not allow him to give the impression of too much effort when writing). Mercer was a deeply poetic lyricist who wrote about love with a very special voice, at once yearning, passionate and wry, and who wrote with a remarkable variety of composers. He had a particular affection for older composers, and brought out wonderful melodies from Richard Whiting, Jerome Kern and Walter Donaldson. On other hand, Mercer could also write brilliantly with more modern tunesmiths like Henry Mancini and Johnny Mandel. He was a true versatile talent whose many beautiful songs have remained the quintessential standards.
This is a fine and worthy portrait of a true great. All lovers of popular song should purchase immediately.
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