Allen Forte discusses in detail twenty-three songs, most of which are jazz standards. Each song includes the complete lyrics and simple leadsheets. The first chapter is a review on melody, harmony, form, lyrics, and rhythm. Chapters two, three, and four cover songs from the twenties, thirties, and forties, respectively.

Forte’s book is very well written and, with his review chapter, assumes no background other than a familiarity with basic music notation. If you are after in-depth discussions about many of the best American songs ever written, then this is your book. If any fault can be found, some of the text may be too analytical for the casual reader, but these parts can be easily skimmed.

Listening to Classic American Popular Songs also includes a two-page conclusion and an excellent index by song, writer, and concept. With the book there is a companion CD featuring baritone Richard Lalli with pianist/arranger Gary Chapman on all songs except “Embraceable You” and “Come Rain or Come Shine” where Allen Forte is the pianist/arranger.

The twenty-three songs discussed are: “Autumn in New York,” “But Beautiful,” “Change Partners,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Fine and Dandy,” “Embraceable You,” “How Little We Know,” “How Long Has This Been Going On?” “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was,” “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Let Yourself Go,” “Manhattan,” “The Nearness of You,” “Something to Live For” “Steppin’ Out with My Baby;” “That Old Black Magic,” “There Will Never Be Another You,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “What Is This Thing Called Love.”

Allen Forte, Battell Professor of the Theory of Music at Yale University, has written eight books, including The American Popular Ballad of the Golden Era, 1924-1950: A Study in Musical Design, and dozens of articles about twentieth-century classical and popular music.