Michael Feinstein, author of The Gershwins and Me, tells the story behind Someone to Watch Over Me by George and Ira Gershwin at Westminster Town Hall Forum. Watch the full talk here: • Michael Feinstein - Th...
I agree with you . This is one of the best known and loved romantic ballads in American music and that beginning verse is so very much part of the song. Another Gershwin ballad that most vocalist inappropriately shorten was written for the musical “An American in Paris”. Micheal refers to this later, “Our Love is Here to Stay”. Ira put his heart into that one as he had to write the lyrics after his beloved brother died. George already wrote the melody. One of Irving Berlin’s song that most singers don’t sing the intro is in “God Bless America”. Check out the Kate Smith version when it was done in the movie “This is the Army”. I did find one RU-vid piano piece where the pianist included that part. Some much beauty in the work if these magnificently talented men nothing should ever be left out.
Michael, you sing this song beautifully!! Someone is watching over us!! I just love these Gershwin tunes!!! This music will never die! Thanks to Michael.
Have seen Michael twice in Ann Arbor, MI. He never ceases to impress me with his total professionalism, unique talent, and Joe Good-Guy likable personality. His eyes are incredibly blue, his grooming fastidious. Someday when I'm visiting NYC, I'll get to see Michael in person in his Loews night club. And, since he always does Gerschwin, my favorite composer, could anything be better.
Love this. Love the song, love Mike's style, love the backstory! Noticed that clever modulation from C to Db (by way of Ab). Amidst a torrent of chromatic flourishes - sneaky devil ;-) (E, F, G - then - C, Db, Eb (the 3,4,5 of the Ab scale) using C as the fulcrum tone)
Great expression! I am going to sing this song in my debut at the Metropolitan Club in New York City. What a most beautiful melody and story line for a cabaret show.
I was once asked to name my favorite line from a popular song, and I immediately said, “The way we danced ‘til three.” It encapsulates all the memories of a lost love, and no one sings that one line more perfectly than Michael.
You can see why Gertrude Lawrence's rendition is so good, despite her limited vocal range. Or because of that limited vocal range, the words do the work of the song, not the talent of the singer. It's also why Fred Astaire was so good. Frank Sinatra was one of the few vocal stylists with the range and the talent with the phrasing to let the words rule the song as well as his musical gift.
I only just discovered this man through a Fred Astaire tribute, he is a damn legend. My only complaint is that he isn’t 100% correct on the Black Tie dress code.
Klutzy: yes, I think he's gay, but absolutely genuine, generous, opened, and so talented. It's rare to find one this successful but still so himself. What talent do u speak of at this level?
Good job......but.....check out Willie Nelson’s version. I can feel willies pain and passion, and the romance of the words. I don’t feel it here.....way too jazzy.
I loved this, and learned from it, but why switch the gender to a "girl" when Feinstein is gay? Be brave, Michael. It works just fine being sung to a man.
It is a tribute to Ira and Lee Gershwin. The gender is accurate and selflessly, appropriate to the rendition from that perspective. Mr. Feinstein is openly gay.
His clothe color is off. The shirt has a busy design so the tie must be a no-design one color one, and vice versa. Also, his black suit is too pitch black as if at a funeral. Lastly, his voice is too feminine which I'd bet Gershwin wouldn't approve.
They in the know seem to regard Mr. Feinstein a legitimate standard-bearer for the Gershwin; Berlin: Rodgers and Hart tradition. Sartorial objection seems selective and inappropriate, considering dvd and album covers, sometimes in black tie, actually. Also, aversion to attire can be overcome easily by averting one's eyes and listening to the performance only. By-the-by, Rudy Vallee and Carmen Lombardo, among many others, sang Gershwin suitably enough.