Rimler, Walter, author. and Rimler, Walter, author.
Subjects
Composers -- United States -- Biography., Composers., and Biography.
Abstract
Over the Rainbow, "Stormy Weather," and "One for My Baby" are just a few of Harold Arlen's well-loved compositions. Yet his name is hardly known--except to the musicians who venerate him. At a gathering of songwriters George Gershwin called him "the best of us." Irving Berlin agreed. Paul McCartney sent him a fan letter and became his publisher. Bob Dylan wrote of his fascination with Arlen's "bittersweet, lonely world." A cantor's son, Arlen believed his music was from a place outside himself, a place that also sent tragedy. When his wife became mentally ill and was institutionalized he turned to alcohol. It nearly killed him. But the beautiful songs kept coming: "Blues in the Night," "My Shining Hour," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "The Man That Got Away." Walter Rimler drew on interviews with friends and associates of Arlen and on newly available archives to write this intimate portrait of a genius whose work is a pillar of the Great American Songbook.
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This archival material has been provided for educational purposes. Ball State University Libraries recognizes that some historic items may include offensive content. Our statement regarding objectionable content is available at: https://dmr.bsu.edu/digital/about
Since its national debut in 1987, Fresh Air with Terry Gross has been a highly acclaimed and much adored weekday magazine among public radio listeners. Each week, nearly 4.8 million people turn to Peabody Award-winning host Terry Gross for insightful conversations with the leading voices in contemporary arts and issues. The renowned program reaches a global audience, with over 620 public radio stations broadcasting Fresh Air, and 3 million podcast downloads each week. Fresh Air has broken the mold of 'talk show' by weaving together superior journalism and intimate storytelling from modern-day intellectuals, politicians and artists alike. Through probing questions and careful research, Gross's interviews are lauded for revealing a fresh perspective on cultural icons and trends. Her thorough conversations are often complemented by commentary from well-known contributors. Fresh Air is produced at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and broadcast nationally by NPR. INT.1: Magician PENN JILLETTE. He's half of the magic team Penn and Teller. They are to traditional magic what the Rolling Stones are to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Penn and Teller revel in making fun of traditional magicians, whom they characterize as sleazy lounge performers. Their hit Broadway show was a mix of rock and roll, insults, self-injury and baffling illusions. When David Letterman invited Penn and Teller to "Late Night," the pair made hundreds of hissing cockroaches appear on Dave's desk. On "Saturday Night Live," they seemingly cut a live snake in half. Penn and Teller have a home video and a new book, both titled "Penn and Teller's Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends." The pair's first movie, "Penn and Teller Get Killed," will be released later this summer. REV.1: New Orleans pianist and singer HARRY CONNICK JR. is featured in our weekly performance spot. In this segment, Connick plays a couple of tunes by Harold Arlen. (Rebroadcast. Orginally broadcast on Friday, November 4, 1988. ) INT.2: Detective writer ELMORE LEONARD. Leonard's best selling books include Glitz, Freaky Deaky, and his latest, called Killshot. REV.2: Critic KEN TUCKER reviews the home video version of "Tougher Than Leather," last year's film starring the rap group RUN D-M-C. Ken calls it a rap gangster movie.
Since its national debut in 1987, Fresh Air with Terry Gross has been a highly acclaimed and much adored weekday magazine among public radio listeners. Each week, nearly 4.8 million people turn to Peabody Award-winning host Terry Gross for insightful conversations with the leading voices in contemporary arts and issues. The renowned program reaches a global audience, with over 620 public radio stations broadcasting Fresh Air, and 3 million podcast downloads each week. Fresh Air has broken the mold of 'talk show' by weaving together superior journalism and intimate storytelling from modern-day intellectuals, politicians and artists alike. Through probing questions and careful research, Gross's interviews are lauded for revealing a fresh perspective on cultural icons and trends. Her thorough conversations are often complemented by commentary from well-known contributors. Fresh Air is produced at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and broadcast nationally by NPR. INT.1: Biographer ARNOLD RAMPERSAD. His two-volume biography of writer LANGSTON HUGHES has been praised by critics as one of the best biographies of a black American writer. It follows the development of Hughes' writing as moved away from a purely political commitment and towards a social realism that culminated in his poetry that reflected his love of jazz and the blues. Rampersad is a professor of English at Columbia University. REV.1: Fresh Air's Performer-in-Residence HARRY CONNICK Jr. returns in our weekly performance segment. Connick is a young New Orleans pianist who is a making quite a stir on the jazz scene. In this segment, Connick performs two songs by Harold Arlen, "I"ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues" and "I've Got the World on a String." INT.2: KEVIN BOYLE, executive director of Article 19, a new international rights organization founded to combat censorship and promote freedom of speech and expression worldwide. Boyle is the editor of Article 19 World Report, a country-by-country survey on the status of freedom of expression in 50 countries. Boyle is a leading figure in the international human rights movement, and author of a highly-regarded book on the Irish conflict, Ireland: A Positive Proposal. REV.2: Critic KEN TUCKER comments on the big splash surrounding the home video release of "E.T." He also reviews other children's videos, including the Disney classic, "Cinderella."
Collage publicity photo for the television special The Songs of Harold Arlen. Pictured (clockwise) Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Tony Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Andre Previn, and Harold Arlen.