Paul Simon reviews Finishing the Hat, the new and long-awaited book of Stephen Sondheim lyrics with history and commentary by Mr. Sondheim, himself. I received my copy last week but haven't had the time to give it the attention it deserves. If you're the least bit interested in musical theater or just the art 'n' craft of creating lyrics, you probably already ordered one but just in case you haven't, here's an Amazon link. The book only covers Sondheim's work through 1981 and another volume is in the works.
I'm not sure what to make of Simon's article which takes odd detours into discussing his own work. I would like to think he doesn't call Sondheim "…the theater's finest living songwriter" to hint that the composer of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the best one who doesn't write primarily for the theater. I believe I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.