Search - Michael Feinstein, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra :: Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

This cd is about average, it could have been better

Philip Scott | U.S.A. | 08/17/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"First I would like to say i'm a Michael fan. I own all his catalog. Even though i'm a fan there are some things about this cd that I find in bad taste. Please let me explain!I know it is hard to always be creative. There are just so many ideas to go around and then you have to start duplicating others. This is known as copying what others have done.For this cd I felt like some of the arrangements were too long. For example, Laura as it was performed hear is a six minute song. It really should have been done in two minutes. I'm an engineer and I edited this version of Laura to run two minutes and it is just perfect. Sometimes less is really more. Also, I felt that some of the other songs didn't really have top notch arrangements attached to them. If the arrangements would have been better I whould have had no choice but to bring out the 5 star rating for this project.To talk a little bit about the voice of Michael is my pleasure. His voice seems to be getting better with age. I have always liked Michael's voice and will continue to do so. I will give this cd a favorable recommendation!"

"Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year"

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 03/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""My life is music. It has always been music, and it will always be music. ~ Michael Feinstein ~



"Michael Feinstein with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra" received a nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in the 2003 Grammy Awards and although this album didn't get the ultimate Grammy nod, it's still one of the best recordings from Michael Feinstein.



Recorded in Tel Aviv in 2001 with additional recording at Capitol Studios in California, he is ably supported by Avishai Cohen on bass, Albie Berk on drums, and backed by an 88-piece orchestra - the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Alan Broadbent, whom I've watched in live performances and I can truly say that he's such a fine and talented arranger/conductor/pianist all rolled into one. Mr. Broadbent did a splendid job in arranging all the selections with the exception of "Laura" and "I Won't Send Roses," arranged by David Raksin and Larry Blank, respectively.



Being a dedicated interpreter of the Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein is dubbed as the "Ambassador of the Great American Songbook" and he is an active member of the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board, an advisory group chaired by Marilyn Bergman aimed at bringing together a number of professional organizations and expert individuals who are passionate about the perpetuation of musical recordings.



This is a showcase of Feinstein's effortless singing and piano artistry and made beautiful by Broadbent's grand orchestral works that utilized almost all the musical instruments you can think of -- from piano to percussions, violins to oboes, and trumpets to timpanis.



Feinstein creates an old-fashioned enchantment on all of the twelve tracks, but the focal point of this treasure of an album is his take on "Love Is Here To Stay." This track is absolutely lovely from the first note to the last, and it is one of the most magical moments in my listening experience. "How Deep Is The Ocean," "On A Clear Day" (You Can See Forever) and "The Best Is Yet To Come" are also highlights. For an added drama, he cries his heart out in "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry," a tear-inducing-song. And the most stirring moment is his eloquent and heartfelt take on a poignant song written by Frank Loesser, "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year."



"As if to say that spring will be a little slow to start

A little slow reviving that music it made in my heart

Yes time heals all things, so I needn't cling to this fear

It's merely that spring will be a little late this year"



For music lovers like me, nothing adds more joy to any day or night than listening to the finest music ever created and this CD is such a good example so please give it a listen and enjoy!



With my heartfelt recommendation."

A Cabaret Singer Grows Up

History Reader | United States | 03/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Extraordinary how potent cheap music is." -Noel Coward Like Coward, Mr. Feinstein seems to understand the power of popular, romantic song when flung into the void of an apparently cold universe by an all too human, understated voice...I first heard Michael Feinstein sing and play the piano umpteen years ago in the mad, bad '80s. At that time, I found his choice of material from the great 20th Century American composers refreshing & interesting, his skills as a pianist were good, and his diction to be above average. Yet his voice at that time was a bit weak--there was too much bravura nonsense, too much vibrato and he may have been too young for some of the songs that he sang at the time.Well, we've both matured, (I hope), and Mr. Feinstein has delivered a remarkably smooth, yet heartfelt performance on this album. I'm particularly impressed by his vocal smoothness and emotional restraint, especially on "Love is Here to Stay", "How Deep Is the Ocean", "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year" & "I Won't Send Roses". Mr. Feinstein appears to really understand the depth of feeling that these words and music evoke in him and us. The vibrato is there when needed, but the ripeness of a mature singer is beginning to be heard on his recordings and the Israeli Philharmonic simply gives his singing wings. The only song that doesn't seem to fit is "Stormy Weather"--I kept hearing Lena Horne in my mind's ear, rather than a polished cabaret singer. I hope that Feinstein continues to grow in vocal power and subtlety as he does here. A lovely album for sophisticated romantics."