Pure Gershwin

Michael Feinstein, George Gershwin (Tribute)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002H4W
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,062 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. 'S Wonderful

2. Love Is Here to Stay

3. Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)

4. World Is Mine

5. They Can't Take That Away from Me

6. Isn't It a Pity?

7. Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

8. Embraceable You

9. What Causes That?

10. He Loves and She Loves (How Long Has This Been Going On)

11. They All Laughed

12. Girl I Love

13. Someone to Watch over Me

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Pure Gershwin was Michael Feinstein's first album, and it remains one of his best. It may not have the production values of his later Gershwin tributes, Nice Work if You Can Get It (1996) and Michael & George (1998), but it simply and directly presents Feinstein in his piano-bar days, singing to his own tasteful accompaniments with occasional contributions from bass and drums and a second piano. Establishing the patterns for his later albums, he sings unjustly neglected verses to familiar songs, uncovers some never-before-recorded gems ("The World Is Mine," "What Causes That"), and provides song-by-song notes. Longtime friend Rosemary Clooney guests on "Isn't It a Pity?" --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FEINSTEIN - YOUNG AND IN LOVE, January 19, 2001

By	Marty Roscoe "martymagee" (Ocala, FL) - See all my reviews

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars they can't take that album away from me, May 9, 2002

By	John W. Cotner (Belmont, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feinstein Really Got the Rythm!, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

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.