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Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook

by Something Wonderful: Exploring the Great American Songbook
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Latest episodes

  • Ep. 6 – Barbra Streisand: From Brooklyn Dreamer to Songbook Superstar

    May 4, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

    In this episode, John and Adam explore the extraordinary career of Barbra Streisand, the Brooklyn girl who wanted to be an actress, took only one singing lesson, and became one of the defining voices of the 20th century. The hosts trace…

  • Ep. 5 – Hammerstein & Sondheim: Mentor, Protégé, and the Changing American Musical

    January 16, 2026 · 1 hr 18 min

    In this episode, John and Adam explore one of the most consequential—and unlikely—relationships in the history of the American musical: the mentorship and friendship between Oscar Hammerstein II and Stephen Sondheim. What began as a chance…

  • Ep. 4 – Perry Como: Mr. Relaxation and the TV Age

    October 24, 2025 · 1 hr 15 min

    In this episode, John and Adam explore the timeless appeal of Perry Como, the unflappable crooner whose calm presence and smooth baritone made him one of America’s most cherished entertainers. From his beginnings as a small-town barber to…

  • Ep. 3 – Ella Fitzgerald: The First Lady of Song

    October 8, 2025 · 1 hr 27 min

    In this episode, John and Adam celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Ella Fitzgerald, whose voice helped define—and in many ways create—what we now call the Great American Songbook. From her humble beginnings in Yonkers to her…

  • Ep. 2 – Steve & Eydie: The Keepers of the Songbook

    October 8, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    In this second episode, John and Adam turn their attention to Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, the dynamic duo who became two of the most devoted champions of the Great American Songbook. With warmth, wit, and a deep appreciation for…

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  • Ep. 1 – Rodgers & Hammerstein: From Broadway to the Charts

    October 7, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    In this inaugural episode, John and Adam kick off Something Wonderful by revisiting the golden age of American musical theater through the legacy of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Blending scholarship, humor, and music history, they trace how…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

This series takes listeners on a song-by-song journey through the Great American Songbook. In each episode, they delve into a particular song or collection of standards, offering historical context, musical commentary, and reflections on how the piece fits into the broader canon of American popular music. Through insightful analysis and storytelling, John and Adam explore the lives of the songwriters, the cultural and social backdrop of the era, the song’s evolution in recordings and performances, and what gives it enduring appeal. The podcast aims both to educate lovers of classic American music and to revive deeper appreciation for these timeless songs.