Product Description 2 CDs of Gershwin's greatest compositions, sung and played by the preeminent artists in the Columbia vaults! Includes Swanee Al Jolson; Someone to Watch over Me Frank Sinatra; Summertime Billie Holiday; Soon Dorothy Kirsten; Let's Call the Whole Thing Off Fred Astaire; But Not for Me Doris Day; I've Got a Crush on You Ella Fitzgerald; Of Thee I Sing Hi-Lo's; Prelude No. 2 played by Gershwin himself, and more. 41 strokes of genius! .com 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
J**A
I loved this book!
I read it while lounging outdoors this summer and every page was a pleasure - largely because I was fascinated by the subject and appreciated the moderately "intimate" details of the story. It was a good read and certainly gave me a much deeper understanding of Gershwin, his background, family, friends, life story, music. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about George Gershwin.
A**R
For the true purist of George Gershwin music.
You need to be a true purist of George Gershwin music. A lot of the songs are done by the original artist & not necessarily up to singing standards nor preferences of today. I loved it myself.
A**S
's wonderful, 's marvelous
If you have any interest in American music of the early 20th century in general, or George Gershwin in particular, you will not be able to look at the playlist to this remarkable 2-dvd set without salivating. This is a who's who of talent beginning with Gershwin himself (Prelude No. 2 for Piano and Rhapsody in Blue) and continuing on with Fred Astaire, Rosemary Clooney, Gene Kelly, Al Jolson, Doris Day, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Harry James, Mel Torme, Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan and Tony Bennett. The sound quality is surprisingly good and the selection is magnificent, the songs presenting a wonderful and vivid protrait of the American music scene in the early part of the 20th century. (Even though Gershwin died in 1937, singers and bandleaders have been performing his songs ever since.)The accompanying booklet contains fine essays by music critic Tim Page and composer Diane Warren, as well as liner notes for each of the 41 selections, and a few pictures.Superb.
L**L
" It is also good, but this Essential CD is perfection
This is an incredible CD. Mr. Gershwin himself is playing the piano for "Rhapsody in Blue", and it is 17 minutes of pure bliss. There are 41 songs on this CD, and in my opinion, not a dud in the group. You will want to listen to it again and again. I also have "George Gershwin, The Ultimate Collection." It is also good, but this Essential CD is perfection!
B**O
Good old music
Good piano music
W**S
If you like Gershwin and singers of the 30's, 40's and 50's then this is amust.
First you have to like Gershwin music then love to listen to the singers of way old. The sounds is good for the most part but it hard to clean up old, old records, that are of archive quality and permission to use them from record companies and families of deceased singers.
P**L
Wonderful Gershwin Collection
Have always enjoyed Gershwin's music. Recently saw one man show "Gershwin Alone" which prompted me to augment my home music collection. This was the ideal collection to fill that need. "Essential" is a good title since it includes many of the Gershwin classics, some performed by George Gershwin himself and others by the artists that made the classical renditions of so many compositions.
B**N
Deeply Familiar
Needless to say, these melodies and songs are timeless gems. Not to sound cliché or redundant, but classics are justthat, for stirring something deep in ones soul, that seems comfortable, and lovingly human. My grandmother kept coming to mind,picturing her knowing the words to all of these, when I used to visit. Now I'm enjoying these so much, I put it on for several daysin a row for a good week.
M**E
Bright light
Great
S**D
Good value
As expected
N**R
Gershwin All Rounder
Initially I was only aware of the standard Gershwin - Walking the Dog, Rapsody in Blue, however after listening to this CD I was surprised at how much other Gershwin creations I was familiar with and was happily introduced to others that were completely new to me. For the non music connoiseur it is an enjoyable listen and great to have on in the back ground.
K**E
Five Stars
Great
B**H
Five Stars
excellent recordings, well pleased with purchase
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