Janos Gereben wrote:

>Well I have to enter a dissenting voice: I have never understood the
>attractions of Sondheim who seems to combine a distinct lack of memorable
>melodies with self-consciously "clever" lyrics.
>
>I tried watching ALNM on PBS when they broadcast it a few years ago.  My
>wife came in partway through and after a few minutes asked "what is this
>dreadful dirge?" Which I, thankfully, took as an excuse to change channels.

I'll agree that the music never reaches great musical heights, but it
always seems to be just right for the clever lyrics.

By the way, how do clever lyrics display self-consciousness?

Alan Dudley <[log in to unmask]>