Customer Reviews

Livingston & Evans Songbook: Michael Feinstein

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I have been searching for this CD for a long time.
It is a winner. Of course, I am biased. Ray Evans is from my home town of Salamanca, NY. He and Jay Livingston have written some really great American music. I love the melodies and especially focus on the clever lyrics of Ray's.

I had never heard of Ray .I was flabbergasted in 1948 when Ray showed up in our home town to preview the opening of Paleface at the local theatre. It featured the Oscar Winning song" Buttons and Bows" . A guy from Salamanca is a Hollywood phenom?? What a week it was. I have been a big fan every since.

Micheal Feinstein does a fine job.

Michael Feinstein's songbooks have all been enjoyable and this one is one of the best. A wonderful mix of 23 different songs, including "To Each His Own", "Que Sera, Sera", "Tammy", "Silver Bells", "Mona Lisa", "Button and Bows" and "His Own Little Island". Michael sings many songs with the wonderful Jay Livingston, including "Ya Got Class" and the themes from "Bonanza" and "Mr. Ed". Melissa Manchester performs a great version of "Never Let Me Go".
A bonus is the song "Anywhere But Here" recorded in 1958 by Rosemary Clooney, Jose Ferrer, Eileen Wilson and Ray Kellogg.

Also included is an interview with Ray Evans and Jay Livingston.

A wonderful album that you won't be sorry you bought!

The first time I visited my daughter in her house near Pittsburgh, her husband told me that the house next door was once the home of Jay Livingston. "Who's that?" I asked. I think the answer was, "He wrote 'Silver Bells.'" I knew that song (is there anyone who doesn't?) and then discovered this recording and a whole lot of great music that Mr. Livingston and Ray Evans created over several decades.

I like Michael's rendition of many of them, breathing new life into some old chestnuts like "Mona Lisa."

But I especially value the piano-playing and singing of Mr. Livingston! What a thrill to hear this legendary musician toward the end of his life. He sounds like he was having a great deal of fun. Thanks to Michael for capturing those wonderful moments.

Oh, by the way, it was my honor to participate in the dedication of a Pennsylvania state historical marker commemorating Jay Livingston in his hometown several years ago. I get a charge out of seeing it every time I visit that town!

Michael once again gives us a fresh look at great songwriters. Livingston and Evans may not be the household names that Gershwin or Porter are, but everyone will recognize their classics like "Mona Lisa" and "Que Sera." Livingston plays piano on a number of tracks and shares a few vocals with the always mellow Michael, and Melissa Manchester makes a smoldering guest appearance. Some of the 23 tracks are wonderful songs we may never have heard, and even the theme songs from Bonanza and Mr. Ed are thrown in for extra delight.

This collection of songs is different from his other albums in his Songbook series. This one if more fun. He doesn't do just the recognized songs but things like the themes from Bonanza and Mr. Ed; how unusual for a singer of romantic ballads.

Michael has the amazing ability to make a theme song sound wonderful; he is truly an exceptionally talented person.

You've done it again Michael and I can hardly wait to see what you do next or as the Gershwin song says, "Oh do it again"!!!

Jay Livingston and Ray Evans personified the "everyman" more than any other songwriters of their generation. They had the wonderful facility to write whimsical, funny songs and then come back with a song that still breaks your heart long after you've heard it.
Teamed with the obscenely talented Michael Feinstein, this recording renders a pretty accurate picture of their career. Everything from their years at Paramount studio ( where they wrote "Buttons and Bows" and the perinieal Christmas favorite "Silver Bells"). their work in Night Clubs( tailoring work for Betty Hutton and Rosemary Clooney), their contribution to Television ( Writing the theme's to "Bonanza" and "Mr. Ed) to their efforts on Broadway ("Let it Ride" and "Oh Captain!") It's all here!!

This recording features Mr. Livingston on the piano, and his he a delight to listen to! My only criticism is the exclusion of the number they wrote for the last Broadway show they contributed to, "Sugar Babies"( a wonderul bouncy number entitled "The Sugar Baby Bounce". Pun intended!)

I bought this cd and I've never been so disappointed in anything in my life. If I could use one word to describe this effort it would be DRECK. I did find that it made an excellent drink coaster but nothing more, well maybe a frizbee.

The selections are terrible, Melissa Manchester sings a song that's totally unrecognizable and Michael Feinstein doesn't hit a good note in the whole thing, save your money people. I wish I could get mine back.