Nice Work If You Can Get It: Songs by the Gershwins

Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin, Michael Feinstein

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 1996)
• Original Release Date: February 13, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002J6Z
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,170 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "For You, For Me, Forevermore", November 21, 2004

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

The brilliance of George Gershwin in composing music, the ingenuity of Ira Gershwin in writing the lyrics and the artistry of Michael Feinstein in interpreting these timeless classics make this album one of the best recordings of all-time. It's a common knowledge among Gershwin fans that Mr. Feinstein has worked for Ira Gershwin for years until the songwriter's death in 1983. He's one lucky guy to have worked with one of the greatest songwriters of all-time.

He interprets thirteen selections of which six I consider the very highlights of this recording. My topmost favorite is an unpublished song until 1983, "Ask Me Again," one of the less famous songs of the Gershwins but its words and music are simply splendid and I love it! The flawless arrangement complements his outstanding vocal artisty. Thank you Mr. Feinstein, for being one of the key figures in keeping the music of Gershwin brothers alive forevermore.

The rest of the highlights are "Nice Work If You Can Get It," a medley of "A Foggy Day" (In London Town)/"Things Are Looking Up," a song arranged by the singer himself with Harvey Cohen, "Who Cares?" from the musical comedy "Of Thee I Sing" (who would think this song is 73 years old?) and "Someone To Watch Over Me," a song Ira Gershwin wrote about himself around the time he married his wife Leonore ("he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome..."). This charming version was arranged and conducted by a fine arranger, Don Sebesky. And my all-time favorite - Oscar-nominated "They Can't Take That Away From Me," from the 1937 film "Shall We Dance?" To me, this is the most ear-catching interpretation I've ever heard and has become my favorite for its hauntingly beautiful orchestral arrangement, which was based on the original arrangement by Conrad Salinger in 1948 recording. This charming arrangement was reconstructed by Christopher Palmer and Jeff Atmajian, and conducted by Larry Blank.

"But I'll always, always keep the memory of...
The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea...
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off-key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can't take that away from me"

Don't miss out on this CD. This is one of Michael Feinstein's nicest compilations of songs by the Gershwins. A must-have for all Gershwin and Feinstein fans. I enjoyed listening to it and I'm sure you will, too.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IMAGES OF RAINBOW AND STARS, May 19, 2005

By	Paul A. Minafri (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Shortly before this CD was published, I had the pleasure to see Mr. Feinstein perform on a snowy April evening at RAINBOW AND STARS in New York City. The night was magic, his performance flawless, his charm contagious, and the memory is fixed into my "hard-drive" for the rest of my life. This CD is the closest I have been able to replicate that evening's performance. It captures the beauty of the night, and more importantly, the scope and magnificence of the Gershwin songbook. IF YOU ONLY OWN ONE FEINSTEIN CD, this should be the one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The previously unpublished Gershwin is a bonus here, June 27, 2002

By	Neal C. Reynolds (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Michael Feinstein worked with Ira Gershwin during the last six years of the elder Gershwin's life and this helped form a bond between him and the musical legends.

His first Gershwin album was a pianist's tribute, and quite good. This album being vocal is a welcome addition indeed. We hear the familiar songs such as "Someone To Watch Over Me", "Fascinating Rhythm", "They Can't Take That Away From Me," but more importantly, he introduces a number of previously unpublished songs. "Ask Me Again", "For You, For Me", "Luckiest Man In The World", all are noteworthy.

Feinstein has a large range, and ability to encompass several styles. On "A Foggy Day", one may well recall Fred Astaire. Basically, though, his interpretaion is his own.

This CD is especially recommended for those with a Gershwin collection as well as those who are seeking to develop such a collection.