Of course, we absolutely agree with you, Alan. Thanks for your comment and your support of the music of Al Jolson. Please do subscribe to this channel if you've not already, check out more material at the website, www.jolson.org, and consider joining the International Al Jolson Society for even more material and access to Jolson's legacy.
Al was not a good singer! His tamber is so strange,,, people still like him because of the nostalgia for the time. Yes he was super famous in his time, but his music has not really aged well compared to his contemporaries.. yes he will always be considered a great entertainer,, but it does not mean hes good.
Kelja, while I understand your opinion, and you are absolutely entitled to your opinion, to say that Al Jolson was not a good singer is tantamount to saying that Rembrandt was not a good painter. Styles change through the years, in art, literature, and music; but that his particular style does not "age well compared to his contemporaries" is not supported by the dearth of material by his contemporaries, remember that he started recording in 1911 and had 23 #1 hit singles, and recorded through 1950, shortly before his death. And in the opinion of those contemporaries, and scores of stars who outlived him, from Eddie Cantor, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Elvis and Jackie Wilson, Jolson WAS the greatest. I suggest you visit the Jolson website at www.jolson.org and listen to the full range of his recordings, from ballads to up tempo numbers. After all, Michelangelo's David remains a masterpiece 520 years since it was completed, despite out of proportion hands and other "flaws."
Contemporaries meaning? Has not aged well? As of September 2023, A CD of his is selling better on Amazon's Traditional standard pop lists than those of Adele, Taylor Swift. Michael Bublee, and other current contemporary artists! Al Jolson died over 72 years ago, 73 upcoming in October. He made his first record in 1911, That is a lot of change over very much time, in style, means of presentation, exposure etc etc. Material dating back pre the mass electronic media, means of production, and exposure, to modern ears, is generally difficult for modern acceptance, less those that are historical inclined, vintage record collectors etc, but Al Jolson's later, after WW2 work on record, radio and film is not, it remains just as acceptable, relevant, as contemporary sounding as Sinatra, Dean Martin. Tony Bennett. Bobby Darin, and all others that can be put into a traditional standard pop genre. The Al Jolson has not stood the test of time etc, is a load of BRAINWASHING proper gander by forces screaming out for contemporary acceptance and PROFIT! IT is a disaster how many it CONS!
A very meaningful song tenderly sung by the great Al Jolson.
The Greatest Singer Ever Recorded .
Of course, we absolutely agree with you, Alan. Thanks for your comment and your support of the music of Al Jolson. Please do subscribe to this channel if you've not already, check out more material at the website, www.jolson.org, and consider joining the International Al Jolson Society for even more material and access to Jolson's legacy.
Al was not a good singer! His tamber is so strange,,, people still like him because of the nostalgia for the time. Yes he was super famous in his time, but his music has not really aged well compared to his contemporaries.. yes he will always be considered a great entertainer,, but it does not mean hes good.
Kelja, while I understand your opinion, and you are absolutely entitled to your opinion, to say that Al Jolson was not a good singer is tantamount to saying that Rembrandt was not a good painter. Styles change through the years, in art, literature, and music; but that his particular style does not "age well compared to his contemporaries" is not supported by the dearth of material by his contemporaries, remember that he started recording in 1911 and had 23 #1 hit singles, and recorded through 1950, shortly before his death. And in the opinion of those contemporaries, and scores of stars who outlived him, from Eddie Cantor, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and even Elvis and Jackie Wilson, Jolson WAS the greatest. I suggest you visit the Jolson website at www.jolson.org and listen to the full range of his recordings, from ballads to up tempo numbers. After all, Michelangelo's David remains a masterpiece 520 years since it was completed, despite out of proportion hands and other "flaws."
Contemporaries meaning? Has not aged well? As of September 2023, A CD of his is selling better on Amazon's Traditional standard pop lists than those of Adele, Taylor Swift. Michael Bublee, and other current contemporary artists! Al Jolson died over 72 years ago, 73 upcoming in October. He made his first record in 1911, That is a lot of change over very much time, in style, means of presentation, exposure etc etc. Material dating back pre the mass electronic media, means of production, and exposure, to modern ears, is generally difficult for modern acceptance, less those that are historical inclined, vintage record collectors etc, but Al Jolson's later, after WW2 work on record, radio and film is not, it remains just as acceptable, relevant, as contemporary sounding as Sinatra, Dean Martin. Tony Bennett. Bobby Darin, and all others that can be put into a traditional standard pop genre. The Al Jolson has not stood the test of time etc, is a load of BRAINWASHING proper gander by forces screaming out for contemporary acceptance and PROFIT! IT is a disaster how many it CONS!