Cabaret singer turned crooner Michael Feinstein continues to pay tribute to the American popular standard in his two-disc set Romance on Film, Romance on Broadway. The first disc features Feinstein in front of a live audie... more »nce singing mostly well-worn ballads from classic films (exception: you may not immediately associate Michel LeGrand and Alan and Marilyn Bergman's "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" with the 1982 Burt Reynolds-Goldie Hawn vehicle Best Friends). The second disc is a studio recording filled with ballads and the occasional swinger ("Taking a Chance on Love") from Broadway shows. Accompanied by different combinations of horns and rhythm, Feinstein often stretches a song out to six or seven minutes, thus allowing for relaxed tempos, granting solo opportunities to his first-rate instrumentalists (including pianists Alan Broadbent and Marian McPartland), and indulging his fondness for what he calls the "sighing moment"--when he puzzles the audience with an unknown verse to a song, and then gives them the familiar, satisfying, well-loved chorus. Feinstein might rely a bit too much on his falsetto and there isn't the same sense of wit and adventure of his cabaret years, but this is a classy, enjoyable album for late-night listening. --David Horiuchi« less
Cabaret singer turned crooner Michael Feinstein continues to pay tribute to the American popular standard in his two-disc set Romance on Film, Romance on Broadway. The first disc features Feinstein in front of a live audience singing mostly well-worn ballads from classic films (exception: you may not immediately associate Michel LeGrand and Alan and Marilyn Bergman's "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" with the 1982 Burt Reynolds-Goldie Hawn vehicle Best Friends). The second disc is a studio recording filled with ballads and the occasional swinger ("Taking a Chance on Love") from Broadway shows. Accompanied by different combinations of horns and rhythm, Feinstein often stretches a song out to six or seven minutes, thus allowing for relaxed tempos, granting solo opportunities to his first-rate instrumentalists (including pianists Alan Broadbent and Marian McPartland), and indulging his fondness for what he calls the "sighing moment"--when he puzzles the audience with an unknown verse to a song, and then gives them the familiar, satisfying, well-loved chorus. Feinstein might rely a bit too much on his falsetto and there isn't the same sense of wit and adventure of his cabaret years, but this is a classy, enjoyable album for late-night listening. --David Horiuchi
Romance, Romance, Romance! What a smooth voice on the is 2 cd set!
CD Reviews
The Ultimate Romantic Crooner
Bob Biz | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After flipping through the feature on Michael's house (and it's majestic grandeur) in the November issue of Architectural Digest and reading about his new album, I picked up a copy of this two-CD set and I must say that Michael Feinstein is the ultimate romantic crooner. The songs seem to be lovingly handpicked with the first CD devoted to romantic songs from classic films including "As Time Goes By," "Isn't It Romantic" and my favorite "The Way You Look Tonight" and the second CD showcasing love songs from Broadway including "Always," "The Song Is You" and a brilliant rendition of "My Funny Valentine". I'm really amazed that I've never heard of him before...Feinstein defines exuberance with his exquisite style and the eloquent richness of his voice. This extraordinary romantic collection is the perfect addition to any evening with that special someone!"
Michael is magic
Marilyn | Toronto, Canada | 10/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought Michael Feinstein's new 2 cd set this morning. All I can say is "utter perfection." Each song is a gem to treasure and I should know, the cd has been playing all day. I love it!This has got to be Michael's best effort so far. Do yourself a big favour and get "Romance on Film/Romance on Broadway" and prepare to fall in love.......with the music! As the says goes "He isn't getting older, he's getting much better." His voice is so rich, I swear it could melt concrete."
Please Keep The Music Playing . . .
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 11/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This wonderful 2-CD set is an absolute musical gold mine filled with the most romantic songs from motion picture films and Broadway productions and penned by the finest songwriters: Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Sammy Cahn, Jim Van Heusen, Johnny Mercer, Harry Warren, Mack Gordon, Dorothy Fields, Victor Young, Michel Legrand, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Vernon Duke, among many others.
According to the liner notes: "I've always been a sucker for a love song. My favorite kinds of songs to sing are romantic songs, so it seemed a natural idea to put together a collection of songs of the heart." Yes, indeed, he did a fantastic job not only in selecting the most beautiful love songs from early 1920s to the '80s, but also interpreting them in his own unique style with some help from his talented musician friends namely: Marian McPartland (piano), John Oddo (piano/arranger), Alan Broadbent (piano/arranger), Bucky Pizzareli (guitar), Page Cavanaugh (piano/arranger), George Rabbai (flugelhorn/trumpet), Mark Vinci (sax/clarinet/flute), Dan Block (sax), Jay Leonhart and Chuck Berghofer (bass), Joe Cacuzzo and Peter Erkstine (drums). Warren Vaché played the solo cornet (I just love the sound of this trumpet-like brass band instrument) with Bucky Piazzarelli on guitar on "Darn That Dream," one of the nicest tracks on Disc 2.
For me, the most ear-catching track on Disc 1- "Romance On Film" is Harry Warren and Mack Gordon's "The More I See You," which Mr. Feinstein thinks (and I do, too) as the pair's most famous song. This is also one of my all time favorites. Warren's style was greatly influenced by his idol, Giacomo Puccini, the creator of famous operas, "La Boheme" and "Madame Butterfly." Warren and Puccini are two great composers in my long list of favorites. Alan Broadbent superbly arranged this track and he also played the piano. Great piano playing! I must admit I listen to this song repeatedly before I listen to the rest of the tracks.
On "Romance On Broadway" - Disc 2, the standout in my opinion, is a very old song with very nice melody and lyrics written in 1930s by two of my favorite great composers, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, "The Song Is You." I've been hearing it from my father's record (Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra) when I was growing up and considering the music in my soul, this beautiful song never left me since then. It's like a haunting refrain to me. This is one of the main reasons why I bought this lovely set of CDs. I know of only few recordings of this song, those of Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Doris Day and The Andrews Sisters. It's so nice a song to be completely forgotten! I'm so glad that Mr. Feinstein included it in his repertoire. Accompanying Michael in this performance is one remarkable pianist, Alan Broadbent.
All the performances in this 2-CD set are equally superb and outstanding. You'll never skip any track, and you'll get a double delight with his great voice and exceptional piano playing skills on the last track of Disc 2 "Every Time We Say Goodbye." The credit also goes to the exceptional line-up of back-up musicians who have helped Mr. Feinstein in making these recordings great that everyone, not only his fans, can truly enjoy listening to.
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The More I Hear Him
Melissa | West Hollywood, California, USA | 11/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a fan of Mr. Feinstein's for a while now but never felt compelled to rush out and buy every new release by him. But now all that's changed, after receiving the Romance cd set as a birthday present, all I can say is more, I need more of this man's music. This two cd set is the most incredible collection of music on this or any other planet. The songs are so well chosen and so beautifully sung as to make one want to rush out and buy everything this man has every produced After my review is posted I'm going to buy every cd of his that's available in my area and then hibernate while I listen and devour every single note.Thank you Michael for sharing your incredible gifts with the rest of us. I recommend that everyone reading this review rush out and buy this new collection, you will never, ever regret it. Happy listening, I'm going back to listen some more."
Isn't It Romantic, Too?......
Renee | BROOKLYN, NY USA | 11/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I fell in love with Michael's work when I discovered his cd "Isn't It Romantic," (thanks to the now defunct soap opera "Santa Barbara" playing Michael's "I'll Be Seeing You" in one episode). I have since replaced the cd three times, (so much have I played it) plus given it as a gift to at least 5 friends. I think this newest cd is the perfect companion -- or continuation of "Isn't It Romantic." The selection of songs -- especially on Disc #1 (Romance on Film)-- will warm the heart of lovers and lovers of old standards alike.I am particularly fond of Michael's interpretations of "The More I See You" and "The Way You Look Tonight." (And how appropriate that he's included "Isn't It Romantic" on this new collection of songs, as well!) Get a glass of wine, light the candles, relax, listen and enjoy. Oh, and if you like Michael Feinstein's work, you may well enjoy the cds: "A New Standard" by Steve Tyrell, "Here's To Life" by Shirley Horn and "My Romance" by Carly Simon."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
Ann P. from WARREN, MI 
