Sammy Cahn was one of the most prolific and successful lyricists in popular music from the ’30s to ’60s, which made him an excellent choice for an evening of the Lyrics and Lyricists Series put on by the 92nd Street YM & YWHA in New York City in April 1972. Assisted by singers Bobbi Baird, Shirley Lemmon, and Jon Peck (though he sang most of the songs himself with an enthusiasm that overcame his vocal limitations), and accompanied by pianist Richard Leonard, he presented an autobiography in song and story that was as amusing as it was entertaining. This CD recaptures the event effectively. It also serves as a de facto cast album (though there was also an official one) for Cahn’s 1974 Broadway show, Words and Music, which grew out of this performance and occupied him for much of the ’70s. Among the 30 Cahn lyrics heard here are his four Academy Award winners, “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “All the Way,” “High Hopes,” and “Call Me Irresponsible,” as well as chart-toppers like “Rhythm Is Our Business,” “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön,” “Please Be Kind,” “I’ve Heard That Song Before,” “I’ll Walk Alone,” “It’s Been a Long, Long Time,” “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “Five Minutes More,” and “Be My Love,” and his stories about the writing of these and other songs. Frank Sinatra, who recorded more songs by Cahn than he did of any other lyricist, provides insightful liner notes. – William Ruhlmann