Essential George Gershwin | Various Artists | The Essential George Gershwin

Essential George Gershwin | Various Artists | Gershwin on the Money!

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Essential George G...

	Essential George Gershwin Various Artists Sony, 2003 average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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

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The Essential George Gershwin

Absolutely great album! Wonderful Gershwin would be enough but add all the greats in music and vocal categories and it's a smash hit, one after another. It is definatley a journey down memory lane, well worth the purchase. I will play this many times over, timeless!

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.

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 always looking for a great artist and someone I feel is deserving of listening to. I'm proud to say that after I bought this album and listened to it, I am truely a Gershwin fan. And with me getting married soon, this was the best time to get introduced to his music because Embraceable You is definitely the most perfect song ever.

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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 Goodman, Billie Holiday, Ella, Jolson, Tony Bennett, Fred Astraire, Doris Day are the tops of the top.
That is to say as a review there is really nothing more to say, but that this is the top of the top in popular music.
But again listening to the very distinct sounds of someone like Jolly , or Sinatra, or the clarinet of Goodman I am connected to so many specific sights and scenes of my own past life, and of people who so loved this music and are no longer hear to enjoy it. As for Gershwin he is just the best there is, these melodies have been heard so often they sing in my soul as in so many other souls, wherever we go.
It just brings me thoughts deep enough for tears.

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