Customer Reviews

The Essential George Gershwin

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you have any interest in American music of the early 20th century in general, or George Gershwin in particular, you will not be able to look at the playlist to this remarkable 2-dvd set without salivating. This is a who's who of talent beginning with Gershwin himself (Prelude No. 2 for Piano and Rhapsody in Blue) and continuing on with Fred Astaire, Rosemary Clooney, Gene Kelly, Al Jolson, Doris Day, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Harry James, Mel Torme, Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan and Tony Bennett. The sound quality is surprisingly good and the selection is magnificent, the songs presenting a wonderful and vivid protrait of the American music scene in the early part of the 20th century. (Even though Gershwin died in 1937, singers and bandleaders have been performing his songs ever since.)

The accompanying booklet contains fine essays by music critic Tim Page and composer Diane Warren, as well as liner notes for each of the 41 selections, and a few pictures.

Superb.

According to the liner notes: "George Gershwin produced melodies the way an apple tree bears fruit -- naturally, prolifically, inevitably."

True enough, if he lived a lot longer, he would undeniably be the most prolific composer of all-time and would have created a lot more lovely and remarkable melodies. I considered him the most brilliant composer America ever produced. In my heart, his music will linger on forever! It has that unbelievable charm and there's something about the melodies as well as the lyrics. Thanks to the brilliant mind of George and the creative talent of Ira in writing the lyrics, we can appreciate and enjoy the finest music we'll ever know in our lifetime. This is the kind of music my late parents loved listening to and I was greatly influenced by them. I have loved the music of the Gershwin Brothers as far back as I could remember! Imagine a grade-schooler loving this kind of music then? Just because I've been hearing them played over and over in our turntable and eventually learned to appreciate and enjoy them!

This 2-CD Set features superb performances of Goodman, Sinatra, Bennett, Fitzgerald, Clooney, Astaire, Day, Torme, Feinstein, among many others. On Disc One, the tracks I enjoyed the most are Fred Astaire's "They Can't Take That Away From Me" which was originally recorded in the '30s from the movie "Shall We Dance?" a haunting rendition of "Someone To Watch Over Me" by Frank Sinatra, arranged by Axel Stordahl and was recorded in the '40s, a duet by Dinah Shore and Buddy Clark's "'S Wonderful," Gene Kelly's mellow rendition of "Our Love Is Here To Stay," the last song ever composed before Mr. Gershwin was hospitalized; and "How Long Has This Been Going On" by Felicia Sanders. Two legendary songbirds of all-time, Rosemary Clooney and Doris Day covering two of the best tracks, "A Foggy Day" and "But Not For Me," respectively.

The very highlight on Disc Two is the ultimate piece of classic in the modern era, "Rhapsody In Blue" a masterpiece performed by the great composer himself, Mr. George Gershwin.

Other noteworthy tracks are Ella Fitzgerald's "I've Got A Crush On You" and Maureen McGovern's heartfelt performance in a medley of "Love Walked In/Embraceable You" with its enchanting piano back up. Tony Bennett's singing "Who Cares?" is so fabulous with its forceful piano intro! "...He's not concerned with stocks and bonds he'd been burned with.... Who cares?.... Love's the only thing that matters..." Accompanying him in this wonderful performance is the Ralph Sharon Trio. This is one of the best tracks on the second CD.

This is definitely a must-have not only for all Gershwin enthusiasts but also for "would-be" Gershwin fans! It's certainly a keeper.

How's this for a first? The first album in the "Essential" series consisting of various artists. Of the 41 tracks on this double-album only two of them were performed by Gershwin himself and one of them , the almost-fourteen minute "Rhapsody In Blue" was partially recorded some forty years after his death. The performers on this compilation read like a who's who of artists inspired by Gershwin's brilliant compositions. Singers like Billie Holiday have two tracks here as well as Tony Bennett, Fred Astaire and Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra. Georges Guetary has a song "I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise" which he performed in the 1951 film "An American In Paris". Oscar Levant also performed "Third Movement" in that same film though it had been recorded years earlier. Finally, Michael Feinstein who co-produced this album has a beautifully performed rendition of "Home Blues" which closes the second disc. There's an insightful essay by Tim Page and one by songwriter Diane Warren about the legacy he left behind. Although he passed away on 7/11/37 of a brain tumor at age 38 he left behind a huge body of work that continues to inspire today's musicians. This album can truly attest to that.

Absolutely great album! Wonderful Gershwin would be enough but add all the greats in music and vocal categories and it's a smash hit, one after another. It is definatley a journey down memory lane, well worth the purchase. I will play this many times over, timeless!

Perlude #2 of Gershwin's "Three Preludes" is my all time favorite piece of music, and this wonderful cd presents it in a warm and loving way, as I think George Gershwin would have.

Listening to this music I brought back to the America of my childhood and early years. Excuse the subjectivity of this review. I don't think there is anyone who doubts the greatness of this music. And the performers here Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Ella, Jolson, Tony Bennett, Fred Astraire, Doris Day are the tops of the top.
That is to say as a review there is really nothing more to say, but that this is the top of the top in popular music.
But again listening to the very distinct sounds of someone like Jolly , or Sinatra, or the clarinet of Goodman I am connected to so many specific sights and scenes of my own past life, and of people who so loved this music and are no longer hear to enjoy it. As for Gershwin he is just the best there is, these melodies have been heard so often they sing in my soul as in so many other souls, wherever we go.
It just brings me thoughts deep enough for tears.

I never knew who Gershwin was until I saw the 7th Heaven episode where they did a tribute to his music. I thought the music was interesting, so I decided to try a cd. I heard Rhapsody in Blue when I was a child.(the second half) I am always looking for a great artist and someone I feel is deserving of listening to. I'm proud to say that after I bought this album and listened to it, I am truely a Gershwin fan. And with me getting married soon, this was the best time to get introduced to his music because Embraceable You is definitely the most perfect song ever.

This is perhaps the greatest compilation of George Gershwin's work. It is wonderful and I listen to it all the time. I would recommend it to every music lover as a "must have" for your collection.

essential is a great title for this CD. Wish they made them like him still. True classics that will live longer than me.

I think the first place I heard a Gershwin piece was in a Tom & Jerry cartoon as a kid (the episode where Jerry leaves for the big city only, lives the highs and lows and then returns before Tom wakes up from his cat nap). I loved the music in that episode but didn't know who had composed it until recently.

After receiving this album as a gift I have to say that I am very pleased with it and will continue to explore more Gershwin.

Although I tend to like 'albums' per se... or set complete
pieces, I think that this double album does a good job of introducing the listener to the range of Gershwin. Incredible. So many songs!!!... and performed by the people who made them (once) famous- Fred Astaire, Al Jolson, a young Sinatra. I imagine that Jane Russell's rendition of "Do It Again" was a pretty adult oriented piece for the time... even today it made my blush a bit.

I would recommend this album to anyone who is interested in both a beginning look at the history of American music, and a taste of what Gershwin has to offer.

I don't give it 5 stars because I think that this isn't the pinacle of the Gershwin stuff out there.... but still a great beginner for 'greatest hits' type listening and easy to enjoy.