Michael Feinstein performs Gershwin medley

"S'wonderful" and "He Loves and She Loves" performed at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in 1987, the 50th anniversary of George Gershwin's death.

[@MariaFerreira-hi9gk]

These songs can only be sung by Michael Feinstein. When he goes all the ethos and depth will be gone. And the Gershwin’s will start to fade away slowly. So sing for us Micheal, sing.

[@joanschilleci7564]

Maria, How right you are about Michael Feinstein. I sing Gershwin songs at nursing homes. Michael is my inspiration. His love of their songs is so evident. I realize every time I sing one that as time goes by, Gershwin music and the music of all of the other great Jewish composers and lyricists of the early 20th Century will fade away. The people I sing for will fade away as will I. But I will try to keep it alive as long as I am able. To live in a world where "rap", "hip hop" and tiresome Country music (where the musicians all wear Western cowboy hats) is as depressing as the fact that to be popular, all the performers only have to do is be vulgar and not really know how to sing or to play a guitar.

[@drdtking]

Nobody knows the Gershwins better than Michael Feinstein. We heard him play at our Orchestra Hall here in the Twin Cities. One of the most enjoyable evenings ever....such a talent!

[@brendadonahuebao4281]

Please

[@mandarinlearner]

For those who might not know, Michael Feinstein lived with Ira Gershwiwhen he was a teenager, learning the music and how it was meant to be performed. Michael is our direct lineage to the music of the Gershwins

[@ruthhellkamp926]

I love his work..and he is the best interpreter of G. Gershwin ever.......

[@ibuaye5]

We can't have enough Feinstein in our lives!!! Please post them!!!

[@veruskario]

I have been this guy fan all my life. He is an angel singing for me every single day. Mchael you are the best. Cheers from Brazil.

[@carolrichards3882]

His voice is the best ever to sing Gershwin. Magnificent gift: nothing more to be said about it.

[@henryleona]

I have been a Michael Feinstein fan for over 20 years. He has been my favorite to this day. Keep on singing and i will keep buying his records.

[@ohdarlin56]

It just doesn't get any better than this. . .

[@bodryn]

Singing AND playing, done to perfection!

[@Candidate2007]

WOW ! I never knew a young Michael ! Can't wait to meet him in person before I die !

[@brighterxthanxsun]

i will really swoon with his charm and persona that reflects off those ivory keys. hallelujah to people like him, reviving music that would either-wise be unheard. hallelujah to his talent. ;D

[@margie2853]

I have loved Michael Feinstein for many years!! What a voice & pianist!!! Bravo Michael!!

[@mortygwhiz]

What talent. I just his song stylings. If he ever comes down to perform on the Mississippi Gulf Coast I'm going to go.

[@drumcircler]

A+ as always, Michael.

[@JeffRyan_88keys]

Beautiful!!! What a talent. He keeps you intrigued!

[@chrissieravi]

He is just exquisite. The greatest interpreter of the golden age, from the modern era.

[@elvispresley718]

Flaming

[@TheProhetess]

Play, Michael, I will listen...

[@MiliMirabal]

Wonderful songs performed by MIchael Feinstein that remember us the composer Gershwin.

[@ThePpcastroneves]

He is really something. What a doublé of pianist and singer. I have the chance to meet him last Christmas at Loews Regency. The show with David Hyde Pierce was very nice. I'd like to see Michael next time alone on stage with his piano. He has such a charisma, charms, spontaneous, smiling and tender. I keep in memory this special moment. Le't's hear from him now.

[@keepthemusicplaying0]

One of my favorite performers!!!

[@ThePie1588]

I first heard him sing and play the piano on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara...he is just awesome! thanks for uploading this.

[@inaclarke4161]

Perfect voice and playing....sweet personality

[@hugecashfan]

Looking forward to seeing you in Dublin next week Michael.Wonderful performance. God bless you

[@sumner407]

What a marvelous talent. Could listen for hours to this guy.

[@northmetrochorus]

He's great!! What a talent

[@Showdax]

Great musician. I honestly only came across him recently because of a spoof. It's great when one form of media can introduce you to another. Thanks for posting this. It amazes me enough when people can play the piano like that, but to sing and play at the same time just blows my mind. Takes extra skill for that. Cheers! @Harry Partridge: Yes! He's made of turtle meat, you know. :P

[@crowtservo]

He sneaks up on you a little bit. “Bo!” he says.

[@Intersounds]

Brilliant performer thank you!

[@chrissieravi]

Sheer class!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davidheath3835]

It's wonderful Michael bravo laddie ❤

[@MauroDanielMezaZamora1998]

Remembering that wonderful performance of Michael Feinstein from "A Musical Toast: The Stars Shine on Public Television", which first ever aired as part of the conclusion of PBS' Festival '87 Pledge Campaign for many PBS stations including KPBS in San Diego, Circa Sunday March 22, 1987!! Sadly at that time, KPBS felt short VERY BADLY of its $450,000 goal and took only $370,208 for Festival '87, a sharp drop of the Festival '86(March 1986) take of $499,325!! TV Worth Watching and TV Worth Paying For!!!

[@xander7ful]

I love how he threw in a little phrase from Rhapsody in Blue. That's genius.

[@srich49]

James Cagney was right when he said " there is no other music than Gershwin!"

[@moviemonk1000]

I'm a libertarian and you dont know what you are talking about Mr Feinstein knew Ira in his later years and thats it Mr Feinstein is a treasure

[@mariaangelaviolani1858]

Absolutamente maravilhoso🎶❤🎵!!

[@williamillwill]

Fantastic!

[@druther530]

Here's the deal, Feinstein is an artist. And as such has the right to perform any way he chooses. Instead of condemning him, why not step outside of tradition and convention and listen! He has a marvelous feel for Gerswhin. He worked for and became very good friends with Ira. I think that probably gave him and opportunity to appreciate the Gerswhin brother's music.

[@mk181818]

Marvelous !!!

[@beritbranch2436]

Cabaret! Love, grandma!

[@drdtking]

I'll add to the debate: The Gershwins were the greatest words and music team of all time....

[@gerontius34]

What a class act.

[@DanielProfitt]

FEINSTEIN RULES......

[@MariaLucille-z8e]

I love you ❤

[@solwrappednpaperlips]

@keepthemusicplaying0 I always have a look when you apreciate something, you have such a good taste ! In this case I would say it is pleasant .

[@KCOtutti1]

This man obviously is a live performer (and a wonderful pianist)... I just heard this song on the radio with him (with orchestra) and that did nothing for me. I really thought it was quite boring. This is so much better!

[@druther530]

Here's an idea, why not just enjoy his performances and hang your narrow minded opinions on a coat rack. Feinstein is a gifted artist and has probably done more to draw attention to the music of Gerswhin than any other artist in recent years. His inclusion of the the intros and the the straight ahead stripped down arrangements he chooses focus attention on the music. People have the right to make their own decisions. Tolerance is a virtue in many cultures. Why not try it on for size?

[@jthirsch1]

Michael Feinstein....The best.

[@marquamfurniture]

Agreed (George and Ira best team of all time.) But Cole Porter... words and music, was the best One-man team of all time!

[@marielima09]

☘️💕⭐🙏

[@Jointlock]

MF is a genius, and just because you have no talent, or musical ability or training you have to attack his personal life? He is kind, decent and vital to preserving our American musical heritage. And he is a tireless performer, and has more talent than most people on earth, but you see fit to denigrate him? Who are you??? Your lack of civility is what is wrong with the world today. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[@virginiwoolf]

He has that something in his voice, not from this time...

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

"His lovely wife Ira" is a well-known joke among Gershwin fans.Ira pretty much stayed in the background, & because Ira is also a girl's name, some people thought that he was George's "lovely" wife. Similarly, people often thought that Fritz Kreisler built automobiles. Ira was Oscar Levant's neighbor on Roxbury Dr. & was very open to those who would carry the torch for his brother when Rock was 99% of the market. Befriending Feinstein only goes to show that he wasn't lucid in his old age.

[@Dylonely_9274]

2:31

[@Wushutigercranekungfudragon]

HOw the hell can he do that w/o looking at dey keyz, and while singing staying on key, he fitting in balladz and stride piano all at da same w/o looking dat pretty bastard, im bout to go practice. it alwayz one dat triez to up the annie on you.. Damn it.lol. thiz iz wat music iz suppose to be

[@HarryPartridge]

We believe in Gaaameeerrraaaaaaa

[@1940ssinger]

is it just me..or does he look like barry manillows lost brother from his mothers later indiscretions?? he look lots like him lol

[@WayneYonke]

Since everyone here seems comfortable speaking out their ass: here goes!

[@Wushutigercranekungfudragon]

@ibuaye5 -ALL IN AGREENCE SAY I>

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

At the risk of being accused of gay bullying, I will not say what I think of you. I don't know what your physical description has to do with my comments on music. There are lots of 6'7" homosexuals in law enforcement. Did you happen to work in San Francisco or the West Hollywood area?

[@elvispresley718]

How could you stand to listen to this guy for more than a few minutes?

[@SilviaAldovini]

I was unaware of his existence in life before your post...and still felt comfortable... Is anyone thanking for this experience? :)

[@elvispresley718]

very funny! Still better than Leon Russell?

[@OfficialVertigoBand]

elvis presley ummmm..... you could just listen to this great performer.

[@elvispresley718]

Henry Nurse Great? I think Michael is kind of like Madonna in the sense his real talent was cultivating people who could help him get ahead in the music business. I dont think this is the kind of music which sounds better when it is turned up loud

[@OfficialVertigoBand]

elvis presley ok. 1 why were you watching this if you don't like him 2 not all music needs to be listened to loud. He is a great performer and I know that he is a kind person as well.

[@moviemonk1000]

Look you can be rude and infantile as much as you want " art for art sake" the conversation should be about " who now is filling it up like : Berlin,.Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rogers and Hammerstein etc..If there is no one then indeed , The Great American Song Book is long gone now and just a memory

[@mauricioduron3193]

Point taken. So. What brings you here?

[@moviemonk1000]

Oscar levant would not agree with you. PERIOD! I know a guy who worked on " The Band Wagon" 1953 with Oscar Stop serving up hyperbole

[@cats1087]

Wow does he remind me here of Barry Manilow.

[@princeandrey]

So much melissma, spurious emotionality, and what an atrocious face-lift!

[@princeandrey]

Yes, we can and we do. Vulgarity, ostentation, weak, breathy pseudo-stylings; replete with heartless, shallow, showbiz sentimentality. The lineage can be traced all the way back to Streisand!

[@epf1961]

Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Jimmy Van Heusen, Cole Porter, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart/Oscar Hammerstein... Are you kidding? The world of great popular music doesn't belong to Gershwin along, by ANY means!

[@Rickriquinho]

This broadway-like kind of singing is very poor and banal, listen to Sarah Vaughan or Chet Baker that you will know what is real standard singing.

[@WayneYonke]

Bernstein's interpretations of Gershwin were horsesh!t. Who is to say that these were not more accurate versions to what the brothers had in mind? Or maybe just Ira? What about interpretations of Beethoven over the years of editors, and students of students of students, etc? And if you are concentrating on his sexuality over this great performance, I think YOU may have the issue with homosexuality. and it's ok- because we won't judge you either.

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

OK, so you actually know "a guy" who worked on "The Band Wagon" in '53. Bully for you! But my dog's better than your dog, so there!!!

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

Libertarians are, perhaps, the worst offenders of them all. At least, DemocRATs can plead stupidity. You ought to know better than to defend this impostor. Again, MF appeals mostly to homosexuals & the elderly. I don't like seeing his version of Gershwin anymore than I what you might find on The Lawrence Welk Show. Too cutsie for my tastes. Oscar Levant would also agree with me.

[@mauricioduron3193]

Might you not find a venue more suitable to your tastes than this one?

[@princeandrey]

C'est dommage! Like a grimacing mask.

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

Michael Feinstein lovers really do not understand Gershwin at all. This is the Gay man's version of Gershwin. People who love this style adore musicals over opera. There's nothing wrong with that. Musicals were Gershwin's bread & butter at the time, but what he really wanted to do was to be taken as a serious composer. Those who bash me obviously are democRATs. DemocRATs love to destroy freedom of thought, esp. when it makes sense. They blame others for their problems & speak in riddles.

[@YKLWEF]

You might as well say "People who like the Goldberg Variations played on piano don't understand Bach at all: he wrote the work for harpsichord and didn't think much of the fortepianos of his day." In my humble opinion, the composer's proclivities must take second place to what listeners of today consider beautiful. And for me that most certainly includes Michael Feinstein's interpretations of Gershwin.

[@mauricioduron3193]

It might help to elaborate how someone who genuinely "loves" music would prefer one genre above another.

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

Michael Feinstein seems to turn Gershwin into a gay man. While listening to this very effeminate rendition of this medley, one cannot help but to imagine fairies and pansies dancing about. This is NOT what Gershwin had in mind when he & his lovely wife Ira wrote such show tunes. Oscar Levant would have a field day poking fun at the way Feinstein performs. Gershwin didn't write this music for blue-haired old ladies, but that's about all Feinstein seems to be able to attract. Very disappointing!

[@paulnurmi302]

Ira was George's older brother. Gay actually means happy.