Michael Feinstein - Romance on Film / Romance on Broadway

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Music reviews of Romance on Film / Romance on Broadway

Music Review: Something's Gotta Give!
Rating: 4 Stars

I will confess upfront that I truly did wish to enjoy this two disc set more than I, in reality, actually do. I've long been a huge fan of Mr. Feinstein and own several discs of his as well but, for the most part, almost everything included here sounds as if it's all been done many, many times before. And, sadly, it has. Michael sings in his usual warm and earnest tones and there's no small amount of love/affection that he feels for these songs ( and each individual composer! ) but for my taste it all seems rather lagubrious at times. Starting off disc one with one of my favorite's " The More I See You " Michael slows down this selection to a lovely ballad and is able to put a wonderfully exotic spin on a song that I thought I knew so well, awarding the song a certain 'sexy' feel that comes across deliciously well. But, unfortunately, things do tend to get a bit 'sticky' after that. Obvious parallels will be made when tackling standards such as " All The Way ", " The Second Time Around " and " The Way You Look Tonight " and although Michael handles these selections with his usual ease and competency he seems add little else. At this point it simply begs to be asked that if a singer, while no doubt having his heart in the right place, can not tackle an age old classic from a fresh perspective, than where is the motivation? It's wonderful that these songs are still being played today but I simply request that the singer dig a little deeper emotionally and bring something new to the table. The tunes to be found here are generally very well performed and impeccably played but I kept getting this sinking feeling that Michael is simply trying far too hard to convey some sort of true/real emotion that, for the most part, seems less than genuine. I'm not suggesting that he's being even slightly disingenous....simply that he appears to be 'acting out' the emotion that he thinks he should be feeling in each song. While listening to Billie Holiday's " Lady In Satin " one can hear a singer who, while no longer capable of singing as beautifully and elegantly as in years past, is nevertheless able to transcend that shortcoming simply by awarding each track with an almost gut-wrenching honesty and heartbreaking emotion that she so obviously feels in each selection. And, speaking only for me, that honest, intuitive feeling that exists is much more important that just being able to competantly relay a song's lyric's. Sentimentality in itself is fine but with the countless renditions of these songs available to the music lover I simply require the performer to perhaps 'put themselves out there' a little more and treat his audience to fresh and new ideas in tackling these wonderful standards. Which, I am sure, Mr. Feinstein's considerable talents are are more than up for that challenge!

With all that being said....there are some nice things here as well. " As Long As She Needs Me " is done extremely well, as is " The Best Things In Life Are Free. " Mr. Feinstein certainly knows his way around a song and is more than capable of relaying, on a certain level, each selections surface emotions. Plus, his vocals, warm and truly intimate, do cast a certain spell that is impossible to deny. All in all there are some true 'diamonds in the rough' to be found here if one is willing to do just a little digging. As for me I think I have preferred a one disc outing, much smaller portions but alas, much leaner as well! In the end, I will remain a strong supporter of Michael Feinstein and will continue to purchase his other disc's as well but like that gentleman at the bar who is still regaling us with his 'wisdom' concerning romance, women, love ( and all it's complexities! ) I believe I've heard enough for one night. Four stars....begrudgingly. Thanks!

Description of Romance on Film / Romance on Broadway

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