In this episode of American Highways, pianist Guy Livingston brings us modern love songs of the 20th century (ok, not so modern), for Valentine’s Day. Love songs, sweet songs, silly songs, serious songs, romantic songs…Music of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Bill Evans, Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau, Leonard Bernstein, Tom Lehrer, Les Miller, William Bolcom, and Patti Smith.
AMERICAN HIGHWAYS #38 MODERN LOVE SONGS
Theme Music :
Steve Reich. The Desert Music (1984)
First Movement (Fast).
Chorus of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Michael Tilson Thomas & William Carlos Williams.
Nonesuch Records 79101
George Gershwin/Cole Porter
1. Let’s Do It (4:43)
2. Why Do I Love You? (2:30)
3. Gonna Get A Girl (2:31)
Alexandre Tharaud, pianist; plus Madeleine Peyroux, Frank Braley, Bénabar, & David Chevalier.
Erato 50999-602552-2
Bill Evans
4. Gary’s Theme
Bill Evans, pianist.
Warner 23504-2
George Gershwin, arr Earl Wild
5. Étude No. 3: “The Man I Love”
Nicholas McCarthy, pianist.
Warner Classics 0825646052400
Leonard Bernstein
6. Wonderful Town – A Little Bit In Love
Judy Kaye, vocals; Steven Blier, pianist.
Koch 37360-2
Burt Bachrach, Hal David
7. Wives and Lovers
Cécile McLorin Salvant, vocals.
MAC1095LP
Les Miller
8. Sugar Coated Love
Lazy Lester
RHINO R2 71124
Patti Smith/Fred Smith
9. It Takes Time (definitely a modern love song, quirky and mysterious)
Patti Smith/Fred Smith
Warner Bros 7599-26707-2
Songwriter
10. Takes Two To Tango
Hermione Gingold & Gilbert Harding
Wing Records – WL1191
Tom Lehrer
11. The Masochism Tango
Jody Applebaum, soprano; Marc-André Hamelin, pianist.
Albany Music Distribution 744
George Antheil
12. “Tango” aus Transatlantic (not a modern love song, but plenty romantic)
Guy Livingston, pianist.
WERGO 6649-2
Brad Mehldau
13. Unrequited
Pat Metheny, guitars; Brad Mehldau, piano.
Nonesuch 7559-79964-2
William Bolcom
14. Casino Paradise – Night Make My Day
William Bolcom, pianist; Carole Farley soprano.
Naxos American Classics 8.559249