The Writer's Corner

Well…so much for trying to do a better job in 2009 with this blog!

In this entry I’d like to discuss writing for vocalists. I’ve included a song called “Fools Rush In.” Originally written by Johnny Mercer and Rube Bloom in the 1940’s, it is sung here by Michael Feinstein and arranged/produced by Berklee Professor Bill Elliott for the album “The Sinatra Project.” You can find video regarding this project at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZb_R2GbaI0
(Bill is on the piano)

Fools Rush In

After listening to it a few times, try to pin point what some of the main characteristics of the arrangement are. Try to answer the following:

• Can you guess what previous writer(s) Bill was modeling this after? (to a point).
• What is the instrumentation?
• Does the chosen instrumentation and style fit the message of the lyric?
• Where do background lines typically enter?
• Does the arrangement have a climactic point?
• Does the chosen key work for the vocalist?
• Does it sound like the music was recorded with a click?

Here is another song called “And You Don’t Remember,” that features a “restrained” Mariah Carey

“And You Don’t Remember”

Post your thoughts on these questions and any others you may have. I’ll put up the score for “Fools Rush In,” and the vocal score for “And You Don’t Remember” in my next post (I won’t wait 5 months, I promise!).

Until then, happy writing!

Jerry