Crooner: Singing from the Heart from Sinatra to Nas

Alex Coles explores the crooner in popular music from the 1950s to the present, focusing on one song and one singer, and how each contributes to the crooner image. He shows how crooners traverse era, gender, geography, and genre, and how they enable listeners to reflect on and communicate their emotions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: Reaktion Books

Crooners captivate audiences with their soothing and intimate vocal performances, often positioned close to the microphone. In his comprehensive exploration of the crooner in popular music, Alex Coles delves into the genre from the 1950s to the present. Each chapter focuses on a single song and the artist who performed it, examining in depth how each contributes to the iconic crooner image. Coles explores how crooners transcend time, gender, geography, and genre, highlighting the unique journeys of artists such as Frank Sinatra, Scott Walker, Barry White, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Tom Waits, Grace Jones, Ian McCulloch, Nick Cave, and Nas. He reveals how Barry White emerged from the disco scene, Nick Cave sprang from alternative rock, and Grace Jones drew inspiration from reggae and funk, while Nas originated from hip-hop. Through his meticulous analysis, Coles demonstrates how the crooner remains a powerful figure that enables listeners to connect with and express their emotions. This captivating book offers a deep dive into the world of crooners, shedding light on their enduring influence and their ability to captivate audiences with their timeless performances.

Weight: 296g
Dimension: 211 x 149 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789147667