Customer Reviews

Michael Feinstein Sings The Jule Styne Songbook

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Another winner from Michael Feinstein for fans of Jule Styne's music

Singer and pianist Michael Feinstein has been fortunate enough to have sung and worked with the legends of American popular song from Ira Gershwin to Jule Styne. Having come across Michael Feinstein Sings The Jule Styne Songbook with Jule Styne, Piano several years ago by accident, I happened to see track 16 on the CD, which was a song that Harry Connick, Jr. had covered during his live shows, "All I Need is the Girl. That particular song as well as the other 33 classic Tin Pan Alley and Hollywood scores selections further enticed me to continue to listen.

All of the songs on the album are absolutely legendary especially how many may identify each song first and foremost from the Broadway shows in which they were introduced and sung and the composers who's names are unforgettable, Sammy Cahn, Bob Merrill, Stephen Sondheim, et al. Although listeners may be surprised of their presentation, stripped down or unplugged versions, but possibly best identified as the most intimate and raw renditions where Feinstein provides the vocals and Styne the piano accompaniment, though he sneaks in a little vocals on the song "The Guy in the Polka Dotted Tie" and "Time After Time."

The entire package of the CD is exceptional. The liner notes are also another interesting part of the album as well because there are a few comments about the songs and as a treat, the A Personal Note on the Recording section, which is a ten-page interview by Michael Feinstein with Jule Styne. The record was released in 1991 and Styne performed and recorded these great songs at the young age of 85. Indeed, for those who enjoy and never get tired of listening or singing along to songs of yore, especially songs from the Great American Songbook, this is worth more than one listen.

good performances -jule styne shows he was a great composer and pianist and a great character ! Michael does a good job but his singing is not extraordinary

To do a project of Jule Styne songs must be the greatest idea, but what happens when you delute his beautiful songs with medley after medley....diaster. What a shame to ruin Jules' songs with such foolishness. I have never been a big fan of medleys.

The good news about this project is that Jule played piano real well. Also Michaels' voice sounded good. I would have preferred a project where there were a lot of indidiual songs being performed. I'm sure my opinion matters, but i'm unhappy about how this project turned out. I feel like, I the fan somehow got short changed. Should my voice matter to Michael and his people.

Recommendation: I Can Not Recommend This Cd