Customer Reviews

'S Wonderful: The Gershwin Songbook

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Since the music of George and Ira Gershwin has been recycled so many times, what makes this collection so valuable? This question can be answered with two words: quality control. The vintage musical choices are stellar. Many of the versions are sublime. The performers are first rate featuring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and so the list of luminaries goes on. In terms of genres, the music could be described as straight jazz, not excluding a jigger of croonerism and big band. This compilation will resonate with jazz purists who find the original stage versions a tad corny. There are several candidates for definitive versions. Armstrong & Fitzgerald's 'Let's Call The Whole Thing Off,' Holiday's 'They Can't Take That Away From Me' and Armstrong's 'There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon' may be the ultimate versions of these standards. Helen Merrill's 'Summertime' also melts from her sultry vocals. Featuring each track's personnel and any significant background information, the liner notes are detailed. "'S Wonderful" is part of "The Complete Gershwin Songbooks," a three disc box set. Not only is this is stronger than the other vocal disc ("'S Marvelous"), "'S Wonderful" is the overall stand out. That written, all three discs are very worthwhile. By purchasing the individual discs through Amazon's marketplace sellers, the set can be acquired for a fraction of the box set's price. "'S Wonderful" is essential for any listener who appreciates both jazz and the music of Gershwin.

sung by those who do it so well-ella fitagerald, louis armstrong, joe williams, helen merrill, and even nina simone-the songs on this album shows the versatile range of george and ira, as well as the timelessness of the music-i am a gershwin fan, but even if you have never heard of any of their music, you will love this album-definantly worth every penny!

I received The Gershwin Songbook, "'Swonderful." My complaint has nothing to do with Amazon or the supplier. I'm just a traditionalist, and found the music and singing to be less than satisfying. As an arranger or singer, how could you possibly think your sense of rhythm or your lyrical ability could exceed that of the master? I'm here to tell you that neither of yours did. Just play the music and sing the lyrics as they were written so the listeners can sing along, snap their fingers and reminisce about happier times.

Gershwin songs, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Amrstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Fred Astaire. Unless you hate this type of music what is not to like? Each track is as good or better than the previous track. 16 timeless Gershwin classic sung by the people that made them classics. I cannot pick a best track on this CD. Is Billie Holiday singing They Can't take that away from me a better track than Ella Fitzgerald singin How long has this been going on?

This is over an hour, 16 tracks, of music that has stood the test of time. Make sure you buy 'S Marvelous on the same order. Yes, you will want both of them. They are two great Gershwin CDs and belong in any collection.