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Michael & George (Feinstein Sings Gershwin) | 
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| Artist: Michael Feinstein
Label: Concord Records
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy Used: $1.50
You Save: $10.48 (87%)
New (13) Used (17) from $1.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 59371
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.4
MPN: 4849
UPC: 013431484929
EAN: 0013431484929
ASIN: B00000BII9
Release Date: September 15, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: [CD-9594] Disc has a few surface scratches. Happily shipped within 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Embraceable You | | • | Nobody but You - Michael Feinstein, DeSylva, Buddy | | • | Love Is Here to Stay | | • | Do It Again | | • | Of Thee I Sing | | • | Funny Face | | • | Lonely Boy | | • | Shall We Dance? | | • | Oh, Gee! Oh, Joy! | | • | Delishious | | • | I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise | | • | Love Walked In | | • | Comes the Revolution | | • | Soon | | • | Swanee |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
When compared with the (sometimes unnecessary) liveliness found on most Gershwin interpretations, Michael Feinstein's Algonquin cool on Michael & George is a bit of a shock. Lacking the bounce found on his first collection of Gershwin tunes (Pure Gershwin), this album of ballads and show tunes is more soothing than dance-ready. Sadly, the liveliest cut features Feinstein singing alongside a Gershwin-played piano roll with a cheesy dubbed MC introducing the music legend, as if the pair were caught in the act of playing today. We live in odd times: thanks to such rolls, ol' George is getting fairly consistent session work backing his fans some six decades after his death. --Jason Verlinde
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| Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 "Surely, As Long As We Care, Gershwin Is Here To Stay" January 27, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"Many other writers were deeply envious of him, wishing they too had that magic spark endowing his creations with an evergreen energy even now still combustible. George is one hundred and his music is ageless. His songs are sung, re-sung and reinterpreted in every conceivable genre, and they thrive. His concert works are beloved. Surely, as long as we care, Gershwin is here to stay." ~ Michael Feinstein, Liner Notes, 1998 ~
Michael Feinstein recorded this great centennial tribute to George Gershwin in 1998. This is one of the best-ever Gershwin tributes of all-time. Thanks to the innovative talents of Michael Feinstein, Bruce Roberts and David Tobocman, who wrote the incredibly beautiful, smooth jazzy arrangements of these timeless songs from the Gershwins. It's so nice to listen to these chestnuts with new arrangements and styles.
I have always cherished all Michael Feinstein CDs from my collection. They're absolutely gorgeous and worthy of repeat listenings every now and then. He's truly one of the greatest interpreters of the Great American Songbook and he's one of the best things that ever happened in the history of popular music. Additionally, all of his Liner Notes are self-written and so informative. You'll learn a lot about the origins of each song in the repertoire.
The best tracks for me include "Embraceable You" so uniquely rendered with its beautiful arrangement, which incorporates an overlapping instrumental background of the songs "Fascinating Rhythm," "Somebody Loves Me," "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "Rhapsody In Blue" and Gary Foster bridges it with his superb alto sax solo. It's one of my favorite versions of this gem.
Of course my perennial favorite "Love Is Here To Stay" is also a beguiling version sung with the intro verse, which was written by Ira shortly after George's death. It goes . . .
"The more I read the papers
The less I comprehend
The world and all its capers
And how it all will end
Nothing seems to be lasting
But that isn't our affair
We've got something permanent
I mean, in the way we care."
Listen closely to two more remarkable tracks, "Do It Again" and "Love Walked In." They have similar arrangements and I think they are the best arrangements I've ever heard for these songs. "Love Walked In" has background vocals. All I can say is wow!
Join Michael Feinstein as he takes you to a sentimental journey to the world of George and Ira Gershwin.
Michael Feinstein: In a Class All His Own January 11, 2007
If Michael is singing - I want to hear it! His Gershwin is always superb. Alongside all the previous Gershwin releases - this earns a treasured spot. To hear the neglected verses or intros to the songs as well as his illuminating notes is a much welcomed pleasure. This is some of the best Gershwin of our time! This singer always delivers the goods and here more so.
NOT HIS BEST May 20, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Feinstein is probably the best contemporary interpreter of the music of the Gershwins, however this partiuclar CD is a bit too somber. Yes, Ira and George could be somber and brooding, but this offering has too much of that for this man's taste.
Delishious! November 20, 2001
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I've a confession....before actually purchasing this wonderful cd I had been a 'closeted' Michael Feinstein fan for many years. But, at last, it's time to come out and express my deep rooted admiration for this amazing artist! For years I have respected the work of Micheal Feinstein and upon the release of "Michael & George" thought I might enjoy this as well. Much to my surprise my then "current girlfriend" who generally disliked anything to do with Broadway musicals, actually liked it so much she ended up keeping the copy I eventually purchased before we parted ways. Mmmm...typical! So, seeing how I was beginning to miss having this cd around (which,I'll confess, may be more than I actually missed having HER around!) I quickly bought another copy to add to my collection. This cd was a slight change of departure for Michael (for convienience sake we'll keep this on a first name basis). While he had previously released two cd's featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin he had never, up to this point, put out a collection of their songs using a slightly more contemporary approach. And, at the risk of losing any 'street creed' among fellow readers, I applaud him for this inventive approach! If nothing else his choice of using more modern charts actually,for me, enhances my enjoyment of these classic pieces. Michael approaches this cd in a singing style that is subtle, hushed yet also, dare I say,very intimate. His voice has always had such a warm texture and he sings these songs with a certain "playfulness" that is generally missing when performing Gershwin. If there is one problem that I constantly come across when listening to other singers attempt these wonderful tunes it is simply that in many instances they are being "overly sung" by the artist. I'm simply not a fan of "vocal gymnastics! It isn't easy to do but Michael is able to convey more in a quiet, almost imperceptible whisper( see " Embraceable You") than most singers do when 'tackling' a song and beating it to death ( see Celine Dion). The vast majority of these songs were written for musicals and should be sung with a certain,how to say,"Joie De Vivre" but how I wish more singers subscribed to the "less is more" theory when it comes to approaching a piece of music. I think we may all agree that Gerswn's songs are truly strong enough to under go a slight moderation...every now and than. C'mon, these are only songs...not the Ten Commandments! Overall, I simply adore this cd. Although I know it's a cliche but when he performs "Funny Face", "Embraceable You" and "Lonely Boy" I swear I am hearing these songs for the first time. And when it comes to "Do It Again"...well, let's not go there! This is a wonderful package and if you've been a Gershwin fan as long as I have please give Michael's "Michael & George" a listen. Just promise to listen with an open mind! It's a disc that is at once warm, intimate and oh so sexy. Mmmm....now I wonder what happened to that ex-girlfriend of mine! Four and One-Half Stars!!
 Award Winning Musicality at its Best! November 19, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This award-winning album of Gershwin songs is not your standard Feinstein balladeering. He is a master at interpreting these wonderful, old standards. If only he had included my favorite Gershwin, BUT NOT FOR ME; that would have capped it off and made it the most special.
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