Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook
Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook
4 episodes
4 hours ago
This series takes listeners on a song-by-song journey through the Great American Songbook. In each episode, they delve into a particular song or collection of standards, offering historical context, musical commentary, and reflections on how the piece fits into the broader canon of American popular music.
Through insightful analysis and storytelling, John and Adam explore the lives of the songwriters, the cultural and social backdrop of the era, the song’s evolution in recordings and performances, and what gives it enduring appeal. The podcast aims both to educate lovers of classic American music and to revive deeper appreciation for these timeless songs.
All content for Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook is the property of Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
This series takes listeners on a song-by-song journey through the Great American Songbook. In each episode, they delve into a particular song or collection of standards, offering historical context, musical commentary, and reflections on how the piece fits into the broader canon of American popular music.
Through insightful analysis and storytelling, John and Adam explore the lives of the songwriters, the cultural and social backdrop of the era, the song’s evolution in recordings and performances, and what gives it enduring appeal. The podcast aims both to educate lovers of classic American music and to revive deeper appreciation for these timeless songs.
Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook
1 hour 14 minutes
2 months ago
Ep. 4 – Perry Como: Mr. Relaxation and the TV Age
In this episode, John and Adam explore the timeless appeal of Perry Como, the unflappable crooner whose calm presence and smooth baritone made him one of America’s most cherished entertainers. From his beginnings as a small-town barber to his rise as a recording and television icon, Como embodied a gentler, more effortless kind of stardom—earning him the nickname “Mr. Relaxation.”
The hosts trace his career from big-band vocalist to household name, highlighting his string of hits including “Till the End of Time,” “Prisoner of Love,” and “Catch a Falling Star.” They discuss his collaborations with Rodgers & Hammerstein, his effortless crossover into the television era with The Perry Como Show, and the grace with which he navigated decades of shifting musical trends.
With humor, affection, and plenty of musical insight, John and Adam reflect on what made Como unique among the crooners—his quiet confidence, humility, and ability to make even the most complex songs sound easy. The result is a portrait of an artist who defined an era, charmed generations, and proved that sometimes, less really is more.
Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook
This series takes listeners on a song-by-song journey through the Great American Songbook. In each episode, they delve into a particular song or collection of standards, offering historical context, musical commentary, and reflections on how the piece fits into the broader canon of American popular music.
Through insightful analysis and storytelling, John and Adam explore the lives of the songwriters, the cultural and social backdrop of the era, the song’s evolution in recordings and performances, and what gives it enduring appeal. The podcast aims both to educate lovers of classic American music and to revive deeper appreciation for these timeless songs.