PURE GERSHWIN 'S Wonderful
Our Love is Here to Stay
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)
The World Is Mine
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Isn't It a Pity
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Embraceable You
What Causes That?
He Loves and She Loves (How Long Has This Been Going On)
They All Laughed
The Girl I Love
Someone to Watch Over MeASYLUM Records 60742-2
[56'42"] full-price
ATLANTIC Records 82833
[68'33"] full-priceNICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT:
SONGS BY THE GERSHWINSWho Cares?
Ask Me Again
Anything for You
Some to Watch over Me
Luckiest Man in the World
Fascinating Rhythm
Will You Remember Me?
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Somebody Stole My Heart Away
Foggy Day (In London Town)/Things Are Looking Up
Love is in the Air
They Can't Take That Away From Me
For You, for Me, Forevermore
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN piano and vocals
by Adrian Tan
I've always admired musicians who can play the piano and sing at the same time. What we need here in Singapore is a piano bar with its resident pianist crooning old love songs, novelties, humorous tunes and satirical numbers... an ice-cold cocktail, lush lighting, the occasional laugh from the table behind... Enough fantasizing on Café Casablanca...this is a CD Review.
Michael Feinstein (left) celebrates the music of George and Ira Gershwin who together ruled an entire generation of American music with their wonderful songs; with such "whistle-able" melodies and witty lyrics, that still has audiences tapping their toes and singing along today. George, whose symphonic works were considered "amateurish" until Porgy and Bess, was a genius behind the piano churning out tune after tune with his brother Ira filling in the words. The result: a dynamic partnership that gave the world timeless hits such as "Someone to Watch over me", "They can't take that away from me" and "Embracable you". And if you have that piano bar atmosphere at home, Mr. Feinstein is the one you want singing from your hi-fi.
There's no better person in the world to sing Gershwin. Michael Feinstein had worked with Ira Gershwin (right, with brother George) for six years till Ira's death in 1983 and have since championed the music of the Gershwins as well as other contemporary greats such as Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin and Jule Styne. Perhaps no other but Michael has taken so seriously the study and research into the Gershwins' music, unearthing many rare and some unpublished tunes and arrangements from the songbooks when he was an understudy to Ira. I was introduced to him through the album "Live at the Alconquin" with him in his element behind the piano at the hotel's music bar. If it's a charismatic entertainer with character you want, that's Michael for you.
What makes Michael's renditions of Gershwin in "Pure Gershwin" so endearing is, I feel, the love that he evidently feels for the material. It is perhaps this that gives him the ability to articulate the subtle nuances in each note and word with great feeling that might be closest to how George and Ira wanted it. As a hopeless romantic in "The girl I love" and "Our love is here to stay", or the quirky, humorous optimist on "They all laughed" and "Let's call the whole thing off", Michael excels. The duet with Rosemary Clooney defines for me the song "Isn't it a pity?". The arrangements are superb and so is the playing with fellow pianist David Ross, Michael shows his own brand of virtuosity on the piano while clearly enjoying every minute.
The "Nice Work If You Can Get It" album features orchestral arrangements of the songs, some of which are the original ones used in the composer's day. A refreshing and energetic album raises the work of the Gershwins and Feinstein to new heights. A rare and excellent take on the title track and a 7˝-minute medley "Fascinating Rhythm" that chronicles and demonstrates the versatility of Gershwin's music.
Rhythm and melody that is "fascinating" indeed even after all these years. Also worthy of note are the songs "Anything for you" and "Will your remember me?" which are premier recordings, lost songs given a new lease of life by Michael Feinstein.
The first album is certainly "Pure Gershwin", as it is Michael Feinstein's first full Gershwin album and recording debut. If you compare it to his later works, especially in "Nice Work", you can clearly see the maturing and tremendous development in his interpretation and voice. That is the mark of a true artist. Personally, I prefer the intimate setting of the first album to the extravagant second, perhaps because of the commercial tinge "Nice work" carries with it but certainly, it is an invaluable album for avid Feinstein and Gershwin fans.
To quote William Ruhlmann in a review: "The man has the heart of a research assistant, but few history lessons are this much fun." and surely, I can't say it any better.
More Gershwin! Dayful of Song - Premiere Recording | Porgy and Bess - an Ink-troduction | "The Complete Gershwin" | Gershwin: Remembrance & Discovery
These discs are available at most major CD stores.
Adrian Tan takes pride at being able to harmonize on the piano while singing "Baaaa Baaaa.....Blaaack Sheeeep, Haaave you aaaany wooooool?"
Back to the Classical Index!... or read previous Gershwin features at the InkpotOther classical music reviews by this or any other writer can be obtained from the InkVault by doing a key word search with the writer's name.
037: 19.4.98. up.13.9.98 ©Adrian Tan
Readers' Comments
From: Margie (PtsbrgPhil@AOL.com / Monday, August 2, 1999 at 06:44:54)
I agree Michael Feinstein is a great talent. I saw him once playing the piano and singing with his live voice not lipsinking like some singers do,just Michael and his piano
From: Peg Shavelli (Fabat50@webtv.net / Tuesday, August 10, 1999 at 13:37:25)
The one thing I absolute adore about Michael Feinstein's interpretations of Gershwin songs is that he never changes a single word of the original lyric. This shows the mark of a true artist because he knows the lyric can never be improved upon. I am looking forward to Michael's next CD. I know it will be as fantastic as all his recordings are.
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