Pop Standards - Current Adherence To Traditional Pop

Current Adherence To Traditional Pop

The appearance of lounge subculture in the mid-1990s in the United States helped to enhance the revival and interest in the music, style, and performers of popular music prior to rock and roll. Many contemporary performers have worked in the style of classic pop and/or easy listening swing, including Harry Connick, Jr., Linda Ronstadt, Michael Bublé, Diana Krall, Stacey Kent, John Pizzarelli, Ray Reach, Karrin Allyson, Madeleine Peyroux, Jane Monheit, Maude Maggart, as well as those known as cabaret singers such as Andrea Marcovicci and Bobby Short.

At present, the history or historiography of traditional pop music is still a moving target, with vocalists and music fans continuing to appreciate these timeless songs. In recent years, Rod Stewart has concentrated on reintroducing the "Great American Songbook" to a large scale audience in the same manner Linda Ronstadt did twenty years prior. His first album from the songbook series, It Had to Be You... The Great American Songbook, reached #4 in the U.S. pop chart, and its success led him to release four more albums in this vein. These commercial successes show not only the fine craftsmanship behind the creation of these types of popular songs, but also the desire and enthusiasm the public has when presented with a great song and melody.