Always True to You in My Fashion: Piano/Vocal/Chords

Kiss Me, Kate stands as one of Porter's most complete theatrical achievements, and this collection captures 19 songs that showcase the full range of his gifts: comic patter songs that demand crisp diction, tender ballads with sophisticated harmonic language, and rhythm numbers that drive the show's momentum. The inclusion of historical context, production photographs, and Patricia Morison's personal reflection transforms this from a simple songbook into a document of Broadway history. For accompanists and singers alike, these arrangements offer both accessibility and depth.

These songs swing between sophistication and showmanship. One moment you're navigating Porter's witty, intricate rhyme schemes and the next you're playing a melody so warm and singable it feels inevitable. The orchestrations translated here capture both the elegance of Porter's harmonic language and the theatrical flair that made Kiss Me, Kate one of Broadway's enduring triumphs.

Vocalists preparing songs for recital, audition, or performance will find complete arrangements with lyrics and chords. Pianists and keyboardists can work through these pieces as both accompaniment studies and solo performance vehicles. Music students and directors researching mid-century American musical theater will appreciate the historical documentation alongside the musical scores.

• Approach the comic numbers ("Tom, Dick or Harry," "Brush Up Your Shakespeare") with precise diction and rhythmic clarity; Porter's humor lands hardest when the words are crystal-clear and the tempo is steady.
• Balance the harmonic sophistication in ballads like "So in Love" and "Were Thine That Special Face" with vocal line simplicity; let Porter's chords support the melody without overshadowing it.
• Use the chord symbols to explore voicing options at the keyboard; Porter's jazz-influenced harmony rewards thoughtful reharmonization and contemporary voiced accompaniments.
• Observe Porter's dynamic markings and tempo indications carefully, as they often carry comedic or emotional intent integral to the song's effect.

Extract individual songs for a musical theater revue or cabaret evening, selecting from both the well-known hits and the deeper catalog Porter wrote for the show. Use this collection in an American songbook course or jazz vocal studies, pairing the arrangements with recordings of the original cast or contemporary performers. The historical essays and photographs make this valuable for musicology seminars focused on twentieth-century American music and theater.

• Reading and performing lyrics with clear articulation and comedic timing
• Interpreting sophisticated jazz-influenced harmony and contemporary voicing choices
• Accompanying vocalists with stylistically appropriate keyboard textures
• Understanding the relationship between lyrical content and musical character
• Analyzing Porter's melodic construction and harmonic language across contrasting song types