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Somewhat disappointing for this fan of both Sinatra and Feinstein. To paraphrase Frank -- "It's the wrong songs in the wrong style"
Michael has done another outstanding job on this CD.He has taken some great Sinatra songs and made them his own.You couldn't possibly be disappointed in this CD.
The quality of the sound is very good and the artwork is very nicely done. Some people say that Michael Feinstein is no Frank Sinatra; and that may be true. "There's A Small Hotel" is clearly a major highlight of this album. Indeed, "The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye" is a song written for Frank that (according to Michael Feinstein) Frank never recorded at all.
"I've Got A Crush On You" is a tune that has a lot of good things to be said for Michael's version of this ballad. Michael's voice is in great form here; and the choice of songs is excellent. I also like that music by Bill Elliott & His Swing Orchestra. The Sinatra Project is a warm tribute to the great Frank Sinatra by Michael Feinstein. What a fine way to end this album.Despite a few relatively minor glitches with vocal arrangements here and there that don't quite sound as melodic as they could have been, Michael Feinstein still scores a goal with his tribute album to Frank Sinatra. "There's A Small Hotel" gets a very sensitive treatment from Michael who sings this with lots of class and grace.
Listen also for "Fools Rush In;" "Fools Rush In" is a fine romantic ballad that Michael was practically born to perform; and I'm sure that Frank Sinatra would be very proud of Michael Feinstein's interpretation of this ballad."The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye" is yet another very tender love song that gets the royal treatment from Feinstein; Michael sings this elegantly and it works very well. Yes, some may say that Michael's rendition is a bit awkward; but Michael's rendition has its value, too."Begin The Beguine" has a wonderful arrangement for the percussion and flute; Michael never sings a superfluous note and that's grand.
These are indeed songs that Frank didn't record very much and so it is a way for Michael to show his deep respect for Frank Sinatra and yet put his own stamp on these ballads to make these renditions his own. Nevertheless, this tribute album has a very real value precisely because these are Frank Sinatra songs that Sinatra never recorded very often.
"You Go To My Head" sparkles like silver and gold when Michael Feinstein sings it; the music fits in perfectly with Michael's vocals. The CD starts with Michael Feinstein performing a great rendition of "Exactly Like You." The musical arrangement makes good use of the brass and although the arrangement overall is very lush, it's Michael's voice that remains squarely front and center--and that's great.
Michael's excellent diction bolsters his performance even further; and I'm very impressed. "You Go To My Head" is another major highlight of this CD."How Long Will It Last" is a very pretty duet with Michael and China Forbes of Pink Martini; and the CD ends with Michael Feinstein performing a most boisterous version of "At Long Last Love." "At Long Last Love" gets its strength from Michael's singing and that incredible big band style musical arrangement.
I guess I'm not the only one who thinks that way; we now have this c.d., to prove the point.Only it doesn't. Michael wails on the flashy uptunes "The Song Is You" and "At Long Last Love," much as Frank would have. Here, this c.d. Feinstein sing "Fools Rush In" and "All the Way," you realize: a) He doesn't have the depth of soul of Sinatra; and b) Neither does/did anyone else.The best Frank Sinatra tribute I've heard is the 2004 Tierney Sutton release, "Dancing in the Dark." There, Tierney and Christian Jacob did not try to place Frank's music in Frank's context, but in their own; and the recording was much better for it. is also its biggest flaw. He isn't - and neither is Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Jr., or anyone else you may care to name.
Sinatra is one of a kind. It took 70 years for Pavarotti to dull the legend of Caruso (somewhat), and it may take at least that long for Sinatra to be eclipsed or matched.The biggest plus about this c.d. The last time I reviewed Michael Feinstein, I labelled him as the closest thing, amongst contemporary singers, to Sinatra. But given that this is intended to evoke The Chairman of the Board, I have to go four. is glaring in its invitation of Sinatra comparisons.Not a good idea. He sounds lovely on "Begin the Beguine" and "You Go To My head." But when you hear Mr. If Blue Eyes gets 5, Feinstein gets 4.
They sound like something Count Basie would have done - for Sinatra. I said he's the closest thing to Sinatra; I didn't say he is Sinatra. reminds me too much of "Sinatra and Basie: Together for the First Time." And that happens to be my favorite Sinatra disc.If this disc had been anything but "The Sinatra Project," I'd probably give it 5 stars. Bill Elliott wrote and conducted these arrangements (as well as produced this disc), and they are fantastic. And as such, the c.d. There is much to appreciate here. RC
Michael Feinstein does a Great job but The selection of Sinatra music could have been better chosen
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