Essential George Gershwin

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 more

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ProductReviews91/100 (9 Reviews)

Recent Reviews

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Dec-20-2006; Thoughts deep enough for tears; Listening to this music I brought back to the America of my childhood and early years. Excuse the subjectivity of this review. I don't think there is anyone who doubts the greatness of this music. And the performers here Sinatra, Benny...; read full review | report as inappropriate

2/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Apr-02-2006; The Essential George Gershwin; I love George Gershwin tunes. But, after listening to the first cut on disk one entitled "Prelude No.2 For Piano," my first thought was: "You've got to be kidding, couldn't the engineers have reduced the "hiss" noise from this great...; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Mar-07-2006; The Best Album Since Ever!!!!; I never knew who Gershwin was until I saw the 7th Heaven episode where they did a tribute to his music. I thought the music was interesting, so I decided to try a cd. I heard Rhapsody in Blue when I was a child.(the second half) I am...; read full review | report as inappropriate

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Dec-12-2005; Gershwin on the Money!; Perlude #2 of Gershwin's "Three Preludes" is my all time favorite piece of music, and this wonderful cd presents it in a warm and loving way, as I think George Gershwin would have.; read full review | report as inappropriate

Selected Reviews

5/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Dec-20-2006; Thoughts deep enough for tears; Listening to this music I brought back to the America of my childhood and early years. Excuse the subjectivity of this review. I don't think there is anyone who doubts the greatness of this music. And the performers here Sinatra, Benny...; read full review | report as inappropriate

2/5: From: Amazon; Posted: Apr-02-2006; The Essential George Gershwin; I love George Gershwin tunes. But, after listening to the first cut on disk one entitled "Prelude No.2 For Piano," my first thought was: "You've got to be kidding, couldn't the engineers have reduced the "hiss" noise from this great...; read full review | report as inappropriate