Solo or group vocal mainstream popular song performance in which the focus is on the singing. Typically songs are written by professional songwriters, and accompaniments (often with orchestra or big band) are prepared by professional arrangers. Distinguished from rock, jazz, country, folk, dance, and ethnic styles in which the performers generally handle both singing and accompaniment, and often write the songs as well. Developed in the 1930s and 1940s as singers increased in importance compared to the bands they sang with, and continued as a non-rock alternative from the 1950s to the present day.
Subcategories 9
Related categories 1
Sites 6
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- Craig's BigBands and BigNames Historic reviews and photos from performers of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Includes old time radio broadcast, quiz, and message board.
- Ian Whitcomb's Literary Corner Includes articles on Rudy Vallee, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, and the first crooners.
- JD Hay's Crooners Library of songs in WAV format, including those by several pop artists and a 1950s collection.
- Jukebox: American Popular Music in the 1930s Includes 40 audio files, with background and commentary.
- Wikipedia: Melodic Music Defines "melodic" genre as the vocal-oriented popular American music style that came after big band music but before rock and roll, as exemplified by singers like Perry Como and Margaret Whiting.
- Topix: Vocal News about vocal, collected from various sources on the web.