Sunday Reflection: Talent

 

"The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in this business. You've got to keep on working that talent. Someday I'll reach for it and it won't be there."-- the legendary songwriter Irving Berlin (5/11/1888 - 9/22/1989). Berlin is perhaps the greatest songwriter of the 20th century (along with the Lennon-McCartney duo), penning such classics of the American Song Book as "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Cheek to Cheek," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "God Bless America," "How Deep Is The Ocean?," "Easter Parade," and his greatest hit of all "White Christmas." He composed an estimated 1,500 songs, while writing the scores for 15 Hollywood films and 20 Broadway shows.

Berlin was wrong that someday he'd reach for talent and it wouldn't be there: it was there for him throughout his long career.

(image: Wikimedia Commons)

 

Sunday Reflection: Talent

"The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in this business. You've got to keep on working that talent. Someday I'll reach for it and it won't be there." -- legendary composer Irving Berlin (5/11/1888 - 9/22/1989), from "Irving Berlin: An American Song." Berlin was the creator of most of what's been called "The Great American Songbook," including "God Bless America," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Easter Parade," "White Christmas," "Cheek to Cheek," "There's No Business Like Show Business," and so many more.

Thankfully, when he reached for that talent, it was always there. 

 

Weekend Music Threefer

 

One of the greatest American composers, Irving Berlin, was born 133 years ago today in Czarist Russia (and lived to 101!).  It's hard to select from a songbook that extends from 1907 to 1971, one that includes such standards as "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Easter Parade," "White Christmas," "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody," and, of course, "God Bless America."  We decided to go with three favorites that also showcase other mega talent:  "How Deep Is The Ocean" written in 1932 and recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1958;  "Blue Skies," written in 1926 and recorded by Count Basie in 1945 (vocal by Jimmy Rushing);  and "Cheek To Cheek," written in 1935 and performed that same year by Fred Astaire in the film "Top Hat" (where the song is arguably eclipsed by the dancing of Astaire and the glowing Ginger Rogers.).  Hope you enjoy.