A Tribute to Gershwin & Friends

George Gershwin (Composer), Billie Holiday (Composer), David Raksin (Composer), Joseph Kosma (Composer), Cole Porter (Composer), Michael [1] Allen Harrison (Composer), Richard Rodgers (Composer), Michael Allen Harrison (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Michael Allen Harrison
• Composer: George Gershwin, Billie Holiday, David Raksin, Joseph Kosma, Cole Porter, et al.
• Audio CD (August 1, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mah Records
• ASIN: B00000374H
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,765 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from MainlyPiano.com, November 1, 2005

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Tribute to Gershwin & Friends (Audio CD)

Michael Allen Harrison's "A Tribute to Gershwin and Friends" is by no means a new album, but it's new to me, and what a killer! I had the opportunity to meet Harrison in Portland, OR last year and to see him play live. He's one of a handful of pianists so extraordinarily gifted that he seems to be the most at home with the piano at his fingertips, making the most difficult passages look like child's play. That doesn't mean that this album is showy or full of bravado. The clarity of Harrison's playing and the depth of emotion conveyed is head and shoulders above the majority of pianists out there (Michael Dulin and Philip Aaberg come to mind as players with this kind of pianism. Awesome, all three!!!) "Gershwin and Friends" is made up of thirteen compositions that harken back to a more innocent era when music was more relaxed and less competitive. Six of the songs were composed by George Gershwin, two are original Harrison pieces, and the others are standards that were composed at about the same time as the Gershwin pieces. Most are piano solos, but a few of the tracks include bass and/or guitar. For the most part, this is a quiet, soulful recording, but there are some upbeat and lively moments as well.

All of the tracks on this album are wonderful, but I have some favorites. The CD opens with a sultry "Our Love Is Here to Stay." With just piano and acoustic bass, this is the perfect slow dance. "God Bless the Child" is dark and slinky in an easy, sensual style. Bass, electric guitar and very light percussion enhance the mood. Yum! "Autumn Leaves" has been one of my favorite songs since I was a kid, and Harrison's arrangement does not disappoint. Flowing and elegant, the heartbreaking melody touches deep within. And then there's "Summertime," my all-time favorite Gershwin piece. Dark and bluesy for a couple of verses, the last minute or so is more uptempo and improvised - an incredible arrangement! "Swanee" begins in a ballad style that is dark and slow and develops into the melody most of us are familiar with in a whimsical, nostalgic style; it ends with a phrase from Stephen Foster's "Old Folks At Home" - a cute touch! "My Funny Valentine," another favorite standard of mine, closes the album with an enchanting love song full of easy grace and tenderness.

What a great album! Michael Allen Harrison has inspired me to pull out some of my Gershwin piano books and dust them off, but I can only dream of playing this music like him! Very highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Being older is great..., September 22, 2011

By 

M. Shelton "Projection Guy" (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: A Tribute to Gershwin & Friends (Audio CD)

I had a friend ask me, "Why did I buy this??" I told him just listen to the music. Sometimes you have to have to listen with your soul & not just your ears. Everything is not going to make a million dollars..it would be nice, but sometimes it's nice to leave something on the world to say, I made a difference. A Tribute to Gerhwin & Friends is just that. It is very soulful & heartfelt. Years from now, this will be played & it will sound just as wonderful as it does now. Sometimes (especially now) you need this. A great CD, a great memory...thanks for a great CD.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tribute to Gershwin and Friends, by Michael Allen Harrison, September 3, 2008

By 

the painter "Painting Artist" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Tribute to Gershwin & Friends (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful album. Michael Allen Harrison plays a lovely piano. I wish he would do more of the old classics like this one for I sure would be happy to buy one.