We're of the opinion that no performer's appeal has dropped as much over time as Al Jolson's. By that we mean, given what a huge star he once was, it's intriguing how dated and, well, odd he sounds to many people today. Not that many other performers became stars in the first three decades of the 20th century are moving many records (or mp3s) these days, but Jolson, to our ears, stands nearly alone among the stars of that era in being a not terribly easily acquired taste for 21st century listeners. This profile, first published in 1934, reviews Jolson's rise from a hardscrabble childhood to unparalleled stardom. Give it a read, and see if you're won over. And when you reach the end, we've included a pair of Jolson recordings for your consideration. "Sonny Boy," especially, is Al at his most ... emotive.