Gershwin and Feinstein - Timeless Artistry Forever in Style
DEverts998@aol.com | San Ramon, CA | 01/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was stunned to see the negative comments from some reviewers, as I found this album to be Mr. Feinstein's greatest work to date. I found his vocals to be especially warm and lovely, with a newfound maturity not heard in earlier recordings. I think it is clear he put his whole heart into this album, and it clearly shows from beginning to end. To say (as did one reviewer) that the orchestrations are somehow not appropriate for Gershwin's music is, in my opinion, entirely missing the point and the dramatic testimony of this album: that is that George's music, 100 years after his birth, is as modern and relevant as ever. Listen, for example to "Do it Again", a very sexy and thoroughly modern arrangement - WOW! That each track has been uniquely selected and produced only serves to highlight the truth, at least in the humble opinion of this quite rabid Gershwin fan: When it comes to George, nobody knows his music and no one pays him greater tribute than Michael Feinstein. Bravo!"
I LOVE IT
DEverts998@aol.com | 07/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thank god I bought the CD before I read some of the reviews. This is a wonderful CD and is destined to be one of my favorites. I love Gershwin, I love Michael Feinstein and I love the orchestration. It is nice to have the music as enjoyable today as when it was written."
"Gershwin would approve of interpretation by Feinstein"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 11/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If George Gershwin were alive today, he would give Michael a thumbs up for the outstanding interpretation of his works. There is no one today that comes to mind, with the sense of timing and expression that is Michael Feinstein.In celebration of George Gershwin's centennial, Michael who is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts and interpreters of Gershwin's music...delivers delightfully eclectic and insightful performances of Gershwin's compositions. From swinging renditions that echo the era in which the songs were written, including a performance of Michael singing to the accompaniment of a George Gershwin piano roll.Michael and George are so compatible, like ham and eggs...peanut butter and jelly, a real treat through lyric and music, that will never go out of style. Warmth and versatility mixed with the timeless quality of a great American composer's music...Michael and George, who could ask for anything more?Total Time: 55:35 on 15 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD 4849...(1998)"
If you don't love it at first, keeping playing it.
J. Lovins | 10/14/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For those of us who've collected all of Feinstein's CDs, this one's a surprise: not quite the sound and style we've come to expect. I'd been warned in advance that it was awful, so expected the worst. But when I listened the first time, I thought it wasn't all that bad. And by the third or fourth time through, I realized that I was loving it. This is now one of the most-frequently played Feinstein CDs in my collection. It also has a nice whimsical touch: Feinstein singing, accompanied by George Gershwin on the piano (thanks to a piano roll). Because I love all the songs on this CD, I won't bother citing a favorite. They're all wonderful."