About the Album: Michael Feinstein releases his new CD through Concord Records on October 25, 2011.
About the CD: "When the foremost custodian of the Great American Songbook pays tribute to the music's greatest practitioner, the results are guaranteed to be both dynamic and original. Such was indeed the case in 2008 when Michael Feinstein crafted The Sinatra Project, which marked his ninth Concord release and was nominated for a Grammy. Feinstein, long recognized as not only one of the world's finest vocal and piano stylists but also for his tireless efforts to preserve, protect and promote the songs and songwriters that shaped the golden age of American music, wanted to pay tribute to the rich Sinatra legacy, but was determined to do so in a way that was fresh and unique. With The Sinatra Project, Feinstein explains, he "decided to focus on the aspects of Sinatra's art that people don't always think about; specifically, his particular taste and style in choosing music and how he pervaded it, paying close attention to the arrangements and orchestrations, which were important elements in making Sinatra great." Feinstein took songs Sinatra had sung-some instantly familiar others relatively obscure-and reinterpreted them in "different ways that still reflected his style and approach. It was a way into the material that allowed me honor him without copying; to bring the essence of him through without being an imitator."
Now, with The Sinatra Project, Volume II: The Good Life (set for release by Concord Jazz on October 25), Feinstein has found another inventive way in. "The second volume is really about Sinatra and his friends," says Feinstein. "It's about the people he influenced and who influenced him. The focus is more on the 1960s. The album includes a few songs Sinatra never sang, which was intentional because I wanted to encapsulate that era and show that, though he was still very important, music and styles were changing. It was the ushering in of a new sensibility, and yet the 1960s was still a time when rich, standards-type songs like ‘For Once In My Life' were still being created alongside newer pop elements like rock and roll."
Close to a dozen superstars, many of whom Sinatra counted as close friends and also deeply admired as artists, influenced Feinstein's song selections and his stylistic choices, including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Ann-Margret, Duke Ellington, Fred Astaire, Nancy Wilson and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Again Feinstein combines familiar and comparatively obscure material, creating a 12-track playlist that extends from such signature Sinatra tunes as "Luck Be a Lady" and "The Lady Is a Tramp" to the extremely rare "C'est Comme Ça," co-written by Ellington and Marshall Barer for the 1966 Broadway flop Pousse Café (a musical adaptation of the 1930 Joseph von Sternberg film The Blue Angel, starring Marlene Dietrich).
Label: Concord Jazz
South Street Seaport Museum to Present February Book Club
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- February 03, 2025
South Street Seaport Museum's monthly book club will continue in February. Seaport Museum staff and special guests will stir up lively discussions informed by our shared love of literature, history, and preservation.
URBAN MOMFARE Cast Recording to be Available This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- February 03, 2025
Red Lyric Productions will release the original Off-Broadway/NY Fringe Cast Album of Urban Momfare. The musical had a run at the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival, where it received a Best Musical Award.
Exclusive: 'Early Teenage Crisis' From HOUSE ON FIRE
by Stephi Wild
- January 30, 2025
Gretchen Cryer recently wrote a new musical with her granddaughter, Gracie Hyland, titled House on Fire. We have your exclusive first listen to a song from the show. Listen to “Early Teenage Crisis” here!
Video: Stewart F. Lane Unpacks the History of the Iconic Palace Theatre
by Joey Mervis
- January 30, 2025
Broadway-lovers know that the legendary Palace Theatre has gone through quite a transformation over the last several years. What happened at the Palace before now? Watch in this video as Lane chats with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge about the venue's incredible history
Mark Solomon to Speak At The Drama Book Shop in March
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- January 22, 2025
An event featuring OVER THE SHOULDER: A Freelancer's Guide to Telling Stories and Editing Films by Mark Solomon, will be presented at The Drama Bookshop. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Valev Laube Debuts 'Liminal' Streaming Now
by A.A. Cristi
- January 02, 2025
Valev Laube, the celebrated Estonian-American musician, composer, and multimedia producer, has finally released his highly anticipated debut album, Liminal. Now available across all major streaming platforms.
Cinco Paul Unveils SCHMIGADOON-Themed Alphabet Book
by Josh Sharpe
- January 02, 2025
Schmigadoon! creator Cinco Paul has announced that he has co-written a new alphabet book based on the musical series. Written alongside Ray Kampf (who also created the illustrations), the book is described as 'a sophisticated whimsical and colorful alphabet book.'
WICKED Digital and Blu-ray Special Features Revealed
by Josh Sharpe
- December 26, 2024
Fans can prepare for the official Wicked digital and Blu-ray release with the extensive special feature listing which includes documentaries, deleted scenes, commentaries, and more. Take a look at the full list below!
HADESTOWN: LIVE FROM LONDON Limited-Edition Vinyl Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- December 20, 2024
Hadestown: Live from London – the original London cast album for Tony and Grammy Award-winning “Best Musical” Hadestown – has been released as a limited-edition deluxe gatefold “pop-up” vinyl. Learn more!
Exclusive: Listen to an Excerpt from Cher: The Memoir: Part One
by Team BWW
- December 17, 2024
Lending her voice to the audiobook is none other than Stephanie J. Block, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Cher in The Cher Show. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book- Chapter 2, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Listen here!
Georgia Shreve Releases 'SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS' Album
by Blair Ingenthron
- December 08, 2024
Spirit of Wagner Award recipient Georgia Shreve has unveiled her holiday album, Spirit of Christmas. Featuring original compositions, timeless classics, and an all-star cast of performers, this collection promises to become an enduring part of the holiday music tradition.
Back to Upcoming Releases...
|