Customer Reviews

Michael & George (Feinstein Sings Gershwin)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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!

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.

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)

This cd gets better with every playing. Feinstein's rich voice conveys the meaning he is finding in the Gershwin classics at all times. The couple of reviewers who slammed this cd must be fans of "Grateful Dead"

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.

I've a confession....before actually purchasing this wonderful cd I had been a 'closeted' Michael Feinstein fan for many years. But, at last, it's time to come out and express my deep rooted admiration for this amazing artist! For years I have respected the work of Micheal Feinstein and upon the release of "Michael & George" thought I might enjoy this as well. Much to my surprise my then "current girlfriend" who generally disliked anything to do with Broadway musicals, actually liked it so much she ended up keeping the copy I eventually purchased before we parted ways. Mmmm...typical! So, seeing how I was beginning to miss having this cd around (which,I'll confess, may be more than I actually missed having HER around!) I quickly bought another copy to add to my collection.

This cd was a slight change of departure for Michael (for convienience sake we'll keep this on a first name basis). While he had previously released two cd's featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin he had never, up to this point, put out a collection of their songs using a slightly more contemporary approach. And, at the risk of losing any 'street creed' among fellow readers, I applaud him for this inventive approach! If nothing else his choice of using more modern charts actually,for me, enhances my enjoyment of these classic pieces. Michael approaches this cd in a singing style that is subtle, hushed yet also, dare I say,very intimate. His voice has always had such a warm texture and he sings these songs with a certain "playfulness" that is generally missing when performing Gershwin. If there is one problem that I constantly come across when listening to other singers attempt these wonderful tunes it is simply that in many instances they are being "overly sung" by the artist. I'm simply not a fan of "vocal gymnastics! It isn't easy to do but Michael is able to convey more in a quiet, almost imperceptible whisper( see " Embraceable You") than most singers do when 'tackling' a song and beating it to death ( see Celine Dion). The vast majority of these songs were written for musicals and should be sung with a certain,how to say,"Joie De Vivre" but how I wish more singers subscribed to the "less is more" theory when it comes to approaching a piece of music. I think we may all agree that Gerswn's songs are truly strong enough to under go a slight moderation...every now and than. C'mon, these are only songs...not the Ten Commandments!

Overall, I simply adore this cd. Although I know it's a cliche but when he performs "Funny Face", "Embraceable You" and "Lonely Boy" I swear I am hearing these songs for the first time. And when it comes to "Do It Again"...well, let's not go there! This is a wonderful package and if you've been a Gershwin fan as long as I have please give Michael's "Michael & George" a listen. Just promise to listen with an open mind! It's a disc that is at once warm, intimate and oh so sexy. Mmmm....now I wonder what happened to that ex-girlfriend of mine!

Four and One-Half Stars!!

"Many other writers were deeply envious of him, wishing they too had that magic spark endowing his creations with an evergreen energy even now still combustible. George is one hundred and his music is ageless. His songs are sung, re-sung and reinterpreted in every conceivable genre, and they thrive. His concert works are beloved. Surely, as long as we care, Gershwin is here to stay." ~ Michael Feinstein, Liner Notes, 1998 ~

Michael Feinstein recorded this great centennial tribute to George Gershwin in 1998. This is one of the best-ever Gershwin tributes of all-time. Thanks to the innovative talents of Michael Feinstein, Bruce Roberts and David Tobocman, who wrote the incredibly beautiful, smooth jazzy arrangements of these timeless songs from the Gershwins. It's so nice to listen to these chestnuts with new arrangements and styles.

I have always cherished all Michael Feinstein CDs from my collection. They're absolutely gorgeous and worthy of repeat listenings every now and then. He's truly one of the greatest interpreters of the Great American Songbook and he's one of the best things that ever happened in the history of popular music. Additionally, all of his Liner Notes are self-written and so informative. You'll learn a lot about the origins of each song in the repertoire.

The best tracks for me include "Embraceable You" so uniquely rendered with its beautiful arrangement, which incorporates an overlapping instrumental background of the songs "Fascinating Rhythm," "Somebody Loves Me," "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "Rhapsody In Blue" and Gary Foster bridges it with his superb alto sax solo. It's one of my favorite versions of this gem.

Of course my perennial favorite "Love Is Here To Stay" is also a beguiling version sung with the intro verse, which was written by Ira shortly after George's death. It goes . . .

"The more I read the papers
The less I comprehend
The world and all its capers
And how it all will end

Nothing seems to be lasting
But that isn't our affair
We've got something permanent
I mean, in the way we care"

Listen closely to two more remarkable tracks, "Do It Again" and "Love Walked In." They have similar arrangements and I think they are the best arrangements I've ever heard for these songs. "Love Walked In" has background vocals. All I can say is wow!

Join Michael Feinstein as he takes you to a sentimental journey to the world of George and Ira Gershwin.

This could be better than everything in the music business! I do have other of Michael's recordings, but...this is one of his best! It soothes my soul, calms my heart, provokes thoughts/feelings I didn't know were there, and makes me think about how much more there is to life than just what we think we are. Thank You! So very much! Jeff

This award-winning album of Gershwin songs is not your standard Feinstein balladeering. He is a master at interpreting these wonderful, old standards. If only he had included my favorite Gershwin, BUT NOT FOR ME; that would have capped it off and made it the most special.

This is one of the most beautiful albums I've ever listened to. Feinstein truly understands these songs, both thematically and musically, and his renditions have a depth of feeling and emotion that is rarely found in pop music these days.