Cook And Feinstein Release Their Album, Cheek To Cheek, Available 1/18

Barbara Cook, Broadway's legendary singing actress, and Michael Feinstein, the platinum-selling vocalist and pianist, will release their first-ever duet CD "Cheek to Cheek," recorded live during their sold-out engagement at Michael's nightclub Feinstein's at Loews Regency last season. John Oddo and Lee Musiker serve as Music Directors and provide the arrangements. The disc, released through DuckHole Records, will be available on iTunes, Amazon.com and in stores on Tuesday, January 18.

"Cheek to Cheek" combines these two show stopping performers on disc for the first time. According to The New York Post, "the pair display both winning personal and musical chemistry. The evening reflects Feinstein's canny ability to mix pop standards with enough obscure selections to keep things fresh." Each of these vocalists fill each song with unexpected twists, spirited swing and incomparable musicality.

Their voices blend beautifully on a lighthearted and imaginative duet medley of the two standards "The Very Thought of You" and "Tea or Two." The old vaudeville chestnut "Shine On Harvest Moon," which closes the festivities on a warm note, perfectly highlights their musical alchemy.

Michael's bravura solo performances of "Without A Song" and "You're Gonna Hear from Me" are called "tours de force of traditional pop belting executed with perfect intonation, enunciation and dynamic control" by The New York Times. Always a champion of newer songwriters in addition to the masters, Feinstein offers a particularly tender reading of "Ever After," the title song from the upcoming Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich stage musical. Ms. Goldrich accompanies Michael on the piano for this track.

Ms. Cook's interpretation of "Here's To Life" was hailed at "the definitive rendition" by The New York Times. "Just when you think Ms. Cook couldn't go any deeper into song lyrics," the review continued, "she expresses new levels of empathy and understanding." According to The New York Post, "her exquisite torch-song-style rendition of 'I've Got You Under My Skin' was a revelation." Lee Musiker created the brilliantly reimagined arrangement for the Cole Porter classic.

"Cheek to Cheek" was produced by Feinstein and Cook, and also features Aaron Heick on reeds, George Rabbai on trumpet, Warren Odze on drums and David Finck on bass.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos