Customer Reviews

Pure Gershwin

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This early Michael Feinstein work when his voice is still as yet untrained as it is now, is "'S Wonderful". The love he has for Gershwin's music comes through in such a way that even if you had never considered Gershwin one of your favorite composers you will after listening to this CD. I especially love "Liza". Such a beautiful tune and done to perfection by the singer. The duet with Rosemary Clooney on "Isn't It a Pity" is remarkable, especially considering the difference in their ages. Pure magic! "The World is Mine" is done with such hope that it may rekindle some of your own shelved dreams. What's especially great is that the original intros to all of the songs are included in their entirety, putting a whole new spin on the familiar lyrics of the songs. Can't say enough for this CD. Buy it! You'll enjoy it over and over again.

they say the third time's a charm, but in this instance, it is the first time -- michael feinstein's first gershwin album -- that is the charm. this album is by far better and more listenable than the next two -- "feinstein sings gershwin" and "nice work if you can get it".

the listenability of this album may stem from the fact that it is a bare-bones arrangement, with two pianos, a bass and drums, a la a jazz trio, with no embellishment, so michael feinstein's then sincere and unsophisticated voice is the featured instrument.

i heartily recommend this album, as every song on it is a gem and feinstein's voice is more appealing than on the two later albums, when he jazzed it up with what sounds like an echo chamber and other electronic enhancements and he seems to be doing the songs by the numbers.

feinstein's version of "liza," slowed down to ballad form and plaintively phrased, is the best i have ever heard. the duet with rosemary clooney on "isn't it a pity," again brings out the best of feinstein's then-new voice and shows why george's (clooney) aunt is rightfully considered a jazz legend.

the combined "he loves and she loves/how long has this been going on" is another melodic/poignant highlight, while the album's finale, "someone to watch over me," is a stirring anthem to wanting and needing someone and is done with vocal and instrumental passion; it brings this collection of songs to a fitting crescendo.

for a lawyer's kid from columbus, ohio who started out cataloguing gershwin estate material for the reclusive ira and then began singing the songs for family and friends, michael feinstein has done all right for himself. he has become the recognized interpreter of the gershwin legacy, sort of the same way his pseudo-cousin, john, jr. feinstein, has become the recognized interpreter of the bob knight legacy... .

michael feinstein may have hit a home run his first time up with this album, and it may be his best, as it is the purest and most joyful celebration of gershwin tunes, while the others are fancier, more jazzed up and ponderous and less appealing.

the other albums are certainly not bad, though, and i recommend buying them to fill out a feinstein or gershwin collection, but this one is by far the best one to get if you are only going to get one as a sample of either's work. it is nice work, and you can get it.

This CD was one of the first record Michael Feinstein made - he was once worked with Ira Gershwin and this CD was a tribute for Ira and his brother George. Many great songs here included: It's Wonderful, Embracable You, He Loves and She Loves, The Girl I Love, and best of all Someone to Watch Over Me. All of these songs were made by the Gershwin brothers and all are great songs! My only grudge with this album is that Michael's voice is not as developed as it is now, but it's probably because he recorded these songs 15 years ago, when he was still in his twenties. Overall, a great CD collection, definetely worth listening for years to come.

This is simply the best CD in our 500+ collection! My dad loves Gershwin and I love Feinstein, and we can't get enough of the beauty of the music, the simplicity and the genious of the lyrics and the sweetness of Michael's voice. Gershwin songs were meant for Michael Feinstein to sing...

I bought this cd because I am a huge Gershwin enthusiast and am always on the lookout for versions of one of my favorite pieces, "Liza". I'd heard a lot of buzz about Feinstein and the supposed wonderfulness of his Gershwin interpretations, so I thought I would give this album a shot.

I was extremely disappointed. Feinstein seems to suck the life out of Gershwin's compositions, a feat I would have previously thought impossible. Though I concede that vocalists are free to reinterpret songs (many to a great success, as in Louis Armstrong's and Ella Fitzgerals's enjoyable versions of Gershwin), I think Feinstein's lazy tempos "loungy" voice make the tracks on this album boring and annoying.

I have loved to listen to and sing these songs my entire life. I just wanted to warn listeners who perhaps, like myself, enjoy George Gershwin's music for its beautiful clarity and energy (as easily experienced through Gershwin's own recordings, early interpretations by artists such as the Astaires, and even recent broadway "Crazy For You") that they will not experience any feeling of the sort from Michael Feinstein.

Amidst all the gushing that has recently been done over him, I found Michael Feinstein to have attempted to murder "Liza" and the other songs on this album. He merely displays a very unexceptional voice and poor interpretive taste. Fans beware, Feinstein proves that it is possible to make a bad cd of Gershwin songs. I'd recommend listening elsewhere.

I take pride in the fact that i have most of Michaels' cds. He is truly a remarkable talent. Michael is probably one of the greatest discoveries of the past 15 years. There doesn't seem to be much of this kind of talent around any more.

The main concern i have for this cd is the fact that Michael didn't seem to sing enough of The Gershwins' biggest hits. There were some more huge hits that i think should have been included on this project.

I think anybody who buys this cd will be very happy with it. May i please encourage you to experience the voice of Michael Feinstein.

Recommendation: I would urge you to buy this cd.

I have this CD and I don't think I could live without it now. I danced to "They Can't Take That Away From Me" in a local recital. On stage I almost started crying. The song reflects the way that I feel for my partner in that dance. For me That song is THE SONG. I hope others enjoy it as much.....

Feinstein possesses the effortless ability to transport his listeners back to a time when music was a romantic, sophisticated and sometimes bittersweet concoction. He infuses these songs with the same romantic timbre that the composer wished to convey almost 60 years ago. Feinstein is true to the work and faithfully includes the songs' opening patter (which is often lopped off by other performers, diminishing the wit and sophistication of the pieces). My favorite cut is a smoky, subtly-sexy version of "How Long Has This Been Going On." Feinstein's reflection on the discovery of passion is couched in cool restraint and yet effectively manages to convey the power of "chills up and down my spine and some thrills I can't define." Without missing a beat, Feinstein switches to a gentle, wistful mood, thinking about "The Girl I Love." His voice is full of hope and a sweet purity about finding his one-and-only. The piano tenderly keeps pace with the spinning of his dream in an almost heartbreaking innocence. The melancholy lyrics of "They Can't Take That Away From Me" are juxtaposed over a lilting melody and tell the story of a man about to lose the love of his life to another man. He lets her know that he will "always keep the memory of the way you sip your tea, the way you sing off-key, the way you haunt my dreams..." This collection of songs is a straight shot of romance, undiluted by an orchestral background. It's just Feinstein and his piano...making you believe that love really is worth it.

I'm surprised to read a few less than positive reviews of this album, but to each his own, I guess. This is one of my very favorites out of a fairly extensive collection of jazz classics. Michael Feinstein's love for and knowledge of this music shines through every tune. I would contrast this with the work of Harry Connick, Jr, a more recognized name, whose performances always seem to me to be more about Harry Connick, Jr., than about the music. In this album, Feinstein lets the music speak for itself. His very understated vocals and tasteful piano work give the music room to breathe. The lovely reading of "Liza" is worth the price of the CD all on its own.

This is my favorite Feinstein recording, but all I had was a cassette tape. As the steward for the Gershwin legacy and student of Ira Gershwin, this is the best interpretation of classic Gershwin in my opinion. The CD arrived much earlier than I expected too as well, and the price was great!