The Cartoon Music Book
"Just try watching a classic Tom and Jerry or Bugs Bunny cartoon with the sound off, and see how flat the jokes fall," offers pop music critic Neil Strauss in this compilation of essays, interviews, and opinions. That thesis epitomizes the book's overriding purpose. Instead of addressing cartoons' obvious high art-low art baggage, the contributors (who also include critic Leonard Maltin) examine their existential problem: can the obnoxious soundtrack exist as art on its own? Goldmark, a professor and Rhino Records producer/editor, and Taylor, a Chicago-based author and journalist, offer a resounding yes. They explore the tune-toon symbiosis of Disney and Warner Brothers golden age composers (Leopold Stokowski, Carl Stalling), as well as of contemporary toonsmiths (e.g., Mark Mothersbaugh of Rugrats and Alf Clausen of The Simpsons). Insightful and surprisingly engaging, this book at the very least gives readers an excuse to watch the Yosemite Sam reruns Saturday morning. Recommended for all libraries.Eric Hahn, Fargo, NDCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.