Customer Reviews

Nice Work If You Can Get It: Songs By Gershwins

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The brilliance of George Gershwin in composing music, the ingenuity of Ira Gershwin in writing the lyrics and the artistry of Michael Feinstein in interpreting these timeless classics make this album one of the best recordings of all-time. It's a common knowledge among Gershwin fans that Mr. Feinstein has worked for Ira Gershwin for years until the songwriter's death in 1983. He's one lucky guy to have worked with one of the greatest songwriters of all-time.

He interprets thirteen selections of which six I consider the very highlights of this recording. My topmost favorite is an unpublished song until 1983, "Ask Me Again," one of the less famous songs of the Gershwins but its words and music are simply splendid and I love it! The flawless arrangement complements his outstanding vocal artisty. Thank you Mr. Feinstein, for being one of the key figures in keeping the music of Gershwin brothers alive forevermore.

The rest of the highlights are "Nice Work If You Can Get It," a medley of "A Foggy Day" (In London Town)/"Things Are Looking Up," a song arranged by the singer himself with Harvey Cohen, "Who Cares?" from the musical comedy "Of Thee I Sing" (who would think this song is 73 years old?) and "Someone To Watch Over Me," a song Ira Gershwin wrote about himself around the time he married his wife Leonore ("he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome..."). This charming version was arranged and conducted by a fine arranger, Don Sebesky. And my all-time favorite - Oscar-nominated "They Can't Take That Away From Me," from the 1937 film "Shall We Dance?" To me, this is the most ear-catching interpretation I've ever heard and has become my favorite for its hauntingly beautiful orchestral arrangement, which was based on the original arrangement by Conrad Salinger in 1948 recording. This charming arrangement was reconstructed by Christopher Palmer and Jeff Atmajian, and conducted by Larry Blank.

"But I'll always, always keep the memory of...
The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea...
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off-key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can't take that away from me"

Don't miss out on this CD. This is one of Michael Feinstein's nicest compilations of songs by the Gershwins. A must-have for all Gershwin and Feinstein fans. I enjoyed listening to it and I'm sure you will, too.

Michael Feinstein worked with Ira Gershwin during the last six years of the elder Gershwin's life and this helped form a bond between him and the musical legends.

His first Gershwin album was a pianist's tribute, and quite good. This album being vocal is a welcome addition indeed. We hear the familiar songs such as "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Fascinating Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away From Me," but more importantly, he introduces a number of previously unpublished songs. "Ask Me Again", "For You, For Me", "Luckiest Man In The World", all are noteworthy.

Feinstein has a large range, and ability to encompass several styles. On "A Foggy Day", one may well recall Fred Astaire. Basically, though, his interpretaion is his own.

This CD is especially recommended for those with a Gershwin collection as well as those who are seeking to develop such a collection.

If you get only one Feinstein CD, make it this one. Each lovingly presented track stands on its own. Most of the songs are accompanied with lush and imaginative orchestrations, some with Michael at the piano. Those are the ones whose sweet simplicity will stay with you the longest. My two favorites are "For You, For Me, Forevermore", and the very obscure "Will You Remember Me?" both of which are hauntingly beautiful. Michael has the rare gift of making you feel that he is singing only to you. If you ever have the opportunity to see him perform live, grab it. He is funny, charming, and loves his audiences.

Michael Feinstein is one of the best singers I have ever heard. He knows his craft exceptionally well. His respect for the popular composers of the earlier twentieth century keeps alive a lot of songs that are to me vastly superior in quality than anything being composed today. Nice Work If You Can Get It is one of his best. A tribute to the Gershwins, it features a number of interpretations that are original and exceptionally well performed. Listen for the subtle nuances in how he phrases, when he uses the power of his voice and when he backs off and sings a line more gently. He possesses a range of singing techniques that most others lack. Very impressive. Buy this!

If you are new to Michael Feinstein, I would highly recommend this particular CD, as I think it's his very best ever. Frankly, several other CDs of his aren't on a par with this one musically or technically, and this is the only one of his that I'm keeping. But what a keeper this one is! Every track is a winner. Enjoy!

The rich orchestration and clear as a bell sound quality of this CD is impressive. The Gershwin tunes are classics interpreted by a unique artist who just keeps getting better. It leaves you with a smile and the feeling that you've just stepped out of a hit Broadway Show. If you love Bennett and Sinatra, this Feinstein collection brings a fresh, lively sound to the whole family. The biggest surprise was discovering my teenagers and their friends loved it too. Now I have to beg my kids to give me back my CD.

On his second Gershwin album, Michael Feinstein opts for a fuller sound and and brings in a full orchestra, a change which is for the most part effective. He stays true to the Gershwins' original intent and at times this can be a deficit. Part of the problem lies in Feinstein's song selection: "Anything for You" sounds mushy and annoying -- but given the lyrical content that's probably was how the song was intended. Feinstein slips into this trap several times but on the album's better songs, like "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Who Cares?" and "A Foggy Day" his energetic yet caressing voice enlivens the melody and helps bring a modern perspective to these old show tumes. The album's strong moments definitely outnumber the weak ones, making it a worthwhile listen.

This is a wonderful compilation of songs to accompany his book, also titled NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT. It is worth having in a Feinstein collection. As usual, he does his best on his (and every) album.

I LOVE this CD. Michael makes me melt into Jello during his exquisite balads especially "For Me Forever More". It seems like he's singing right next to my ear. The arrangment is phenomenal and keeps to the jazz concept that Gershwin was originally about. The total affect is utter contentment.

I LOVE this CD. Michael makes me melt into Jello during his exquisite balads especially "For Me Forever More". It seems like he's singing right next to my ear. The arrangment is phenomenal and keeps to the jazz concept that Gershwin was originally about. The total affect is utter contentment.