Research Catalog

Interview with E. Y. Harburg

Title
Interview with E. Y. Harburg, 1971-08.
Author
Harburg, E. Y. (Edgar Yipsel), 1896-1981
Publication
1971.

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
AudioUse in library *LDC 53162Performing Arts Research Collections - Recorded Sound

Details

Additional Authors
Wilk, Max
Found In
Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Description
4 streaming audio files (approximately 3 hr. 37 min.) : digital, mono.
Summary
Edgar Yipsel "Yip" Harburg who worked with many well-known composers (Harold Arlen, Jay Gorney, Vernon Duke, Burton Lane) speaks about his childhood in the "slums" on the Lower East Side of New York City; excellent teachers who had compassion for impoverished children; good public schools; education that included extra studies in clubs (drama, history, composition, sports etc.); his interest in writing lyrics; his business venture (electric company) that was prompted by his work of lighting lamps on the streets of NY; his good friend Ira Gershwin with whom he wrote for a local paper and who introduced him to Jay Gorney after Harburg's business blew up during the Depression thus helping Harburg to start a new and very successful career as a lyricist; George Gershwin, Cole Porter and the composers he collaborated with; and shares his thoughts and ideas about the state of the arts (songs and musicals in particular) in the 70s in comparison to the past. He expresses harsh criticism of contemporary music blaming its "deterioration" on the influence of money, corrupt politics, media which is very profit-oriented, and condemns "the age of abundance versus the age of scarcity" as the culprit of such degradation. The interview ends with Harburg's strict instructions addressed to Max Wilk not to use in print any recorded material without first giving an unedited version to him (Harburg) for editing. He reminds Wilk that much of what he said is off the record.
Alternative Title
  • They're playing our song.
  • Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Interviews.
  • Sound recordings.
Note
  • Title supplied by cataloger from information on the original container.
  • Original interview conducted by unidentified woman for Max Wilk for his book "They're playing our song" published in 1973.
Access (note)
  • Access to original item restricted.
Additional Formats (note)
  • Also available on CD (4 audio discs : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.) copied from archival originals in *LDC 53162.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of: Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Call Number
*LDC 53162
OCLC
879646175
Author
Harburg, E. Y. (Edgar Yipsel), 1896-1981, interviewee.
Title
Interview with E. Y. Harburg, 1971-08.
Production
1971.
Playing Time
005931 005804 005752 004105
Type of Content
spoken word
Type of Medium
audio
computer
Type of Carrier
audio disc
online resource
Performer
E.Y. Harburg, interviewee ; unidentified woman, interviewer.
Event
Recorded in Martha's Vineyard 1971 August.
Access
Access to original item restricted.
Additional Formats
Also available on CD (4 audio discs : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.) copied from archival originals in *LDC 53162.
Linking Entry
Forms part of: Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Local Note
Archival originals: (2 audiotape reels : analog, 7 1/2 ips., 1/2 track mono ; 10 in.) in *LT-10 2171-2172.
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Added Author
Wilk, Max, associated name.
Added Title
They're playing our song.
Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Found In:
Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Research Call Number
*LDC 53162
*LT-10 2171-2172
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