Essential George Gershwin [LIMITED EDITION]

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 14, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00006FN8K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,043 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Given his seemingly effortless ability at melding such disparate forms as jazz and gospel with his own rare melodic gifts, it's not hard to view George Gershwin as America's first classical crossover artist. But as this glorious, 41-track double-disc introduction to Gershwin's epochal repertoire quickly demonstrates, that assessment woefully shortchanges the sheer grandeur of "Rhapsody in Blue" or the sultry earthiness of "Summertime." Singer and pop musicologist Michael Feinstein produced the set (as well as contributing a new recording of "Home Blues"), and under his guidance it understandably leans toward Gershwin's remarkable body of songcraft, though it also includes more concert-oriented pieces such as the "Rhapsody" and "Prelude No. 2," both in original performances by the composer. But Feinstein's loving sense of American pop song history insures that the performances here are both inspired and enlightening. Indeed, his choices represent not only a who's who of 20th-century pop and saloon singers--spanning a rich pantheon that includes Jolson, Kelly, Astaire, Holliday, Sinatra, Bennett, Waters, Torme, Clooney, Day, Vaughan, and Fitzgerald--but deftly underscore Gershwin's transcendent synthesis of style, era, and distinctly American subject matter. Also includes a written tribute by modern songwriter Diane Warren and an essay by Pulitzer Prize winner Tim Page. -–Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 's wonderful, 's marvelous, June 1, 2003

By	audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I Love A Gershwin Tune, How About You?", November 18, 2004

By	Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless and inspiring, April 9, 2003

By	EDGAR S. OLIVARES "The Entity" (New York City, NY USA) - See all my reviews

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.