Harry Connick Jr vs. Michael Feinstein?
The Digital Lad
Does anyone have any experience with the latest album of Michael
Feinstein? I mean the one that has the Gershwin's songs in it. How
is his piano playing and vocal qualities compared to Harry Connick
Jr.?
Leon Harris
who would style himself as a latter-day Nat Cole or Frank Sinatra,
Feinstein is much more out of the tradition of the musical theatre and
"selling" a song. No swinging, not much improvising and more vocal
theatrics than most jazz players. (Comparing those two is like comparing
Ethel Ennis and Ethel Merman)
The new Feinstein disk has several supposedly undiscovered Gershwin
tunes and, in fact, what I most admire about Feinstein is his ability to
dig out and perform the lesser-known high quality "standard-type" tunes.
Leon Harris
tomb...@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu
In article <4psh4n$q...@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu> cal...@umich.edu (The Digital Lad) writes:
>Does anyone have any experience with the latest album of Michael
>Feinstein? I mean the one that has the Gershwin's songs in it. How
>is his piano playing and vocal qualities compared to Harry Connick
>Jr.?
I haven't heard the album, but I think Connick is a much more
accomplished pianist and singer both.
--
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"Use your guts, man! That's what you've got them for!"
--Roy Scheider in Seaquest
Jeff Volkman
On 15 Jun 1996, Leon Harris wrote:
> cal...@umich.edu (The Digital Lad) wrote:
> >
> >Does anyone have any experience with the latest album of Michael
> >Feinstein? I mean the one that has the Gershwin's songs in it. How
> >is his piano playing and vocal qualities compared to Harry Connick
> >Jr.?
> > Apples and Oranges, Calvin. Connick is a jazz piano player and crooner
> who would style himself as a latter-day Nat Cole or Frank Sinatra,
> Feinstein is much more out of the tradition of the musical theatre and
> "selling" a song. No swinging, not much improvising and more vocal
> theatrics than most jazz players. (Comparing those two is like comparing
> Ethel Ennis and Ethel Merman)
> The new Feinstein disk has several supposedly undiscovered Gershwin
> tunes and, in fact, what I most admire about Feinstein is his ability to
> dig out and perform the lesser-known high quality "standard-type" tunes.
I played (in the pit) for Feinstein's performance here in Seattle last
night, and was quite impressed with his delivery of Gershwin's lyrics.
Leon's right; he's not as strong an improvisor or pianist as Connick, but
I gained a new appreciation for Ira Gershwin's lyrics from listening to
Feinstein's interpretations. He's quite good at what he does, but it's a
different bag than Connick.
-Jeff
Steve Sando
Leon Harris (MXW...@prodigy.com) wrote:
: The new Feinstein disk has several supposedly undiscovered Gershwin
: dig out and perform the lesser-known high quality "standard-type" tunes.
You do have to admire him for putting the spotlight on great songs and
composers but I don't think anyone can say he plays well and or even
in a classic style- he plays chords. As for his voice, it's a matter of
taste. Some people think Michael Bolton and Mariah Carey have pleasant
singing voices.
He seems like a nice guy and I think it would be fun to talk show tunes
with him but as an interpreter of the Classic American Songbook I'd rather
hear countless other singers or players.
--
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Steve Sando, Coconut Grove, PO Box 78146, San Francisco 94107
MisterLUCKY on the Web! http://www.wco.com/~coconutg/
voice:415/648.5803 fax:415/282.4394 e-mail:coco...@wco.com
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"Strange how potent cheap music is." - Noel Coward
TIMURA
I couldn't agree with you more, as listening to Michal Feinstein is
painful for me. But let's talk about Harry Connick. What is he doing
with his new music? It is really mediocre compared to his jazz releases.
I saw him yesterday on the Today Show and it was truly a disappointment!
Doug & Craig
Well, I kind of dig the funk stuff, but I miss his big band. I would also
like some more of that Monk-ish trio stuff. Harry's a swinging cat, but
he must like being funky too. But then, son't we all?
Doug
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Dennis S. Klein
TIMURA wrote:
>
> I couldn't agree with you more, as listening to Michal Feinstein is
> painful for me. But let's talk about Harry Connick. What is he doing
> with his new music? It is really mediocre compared to his jazz releases.
> I saw him yesterday on the Today Show and it was truly a disappointment!
>
> TIM...@aol.com
I could not agree more. I purchased "Star Turtle" this week and sold it
to a used CD store because I disliked it so much. As bad as "She" was,
the newest CD is even worse. What is he thinking? Have you heard the
four parts of "Star Turtle", it is horrendous.
Dennis
je...@pacbell.net
Doug & Craig wrote:
>
> TIMURA wrote:
> >
> > I couldn't agree with you more, as listening to Michal Feinstein is
> > painful for me. But let's talk about Harry Connick. What is he doing
> > with his new music? It is really mediocre compared to his jazz releases.
> > I saw him yesterday on the Today Show and it was truly a disappointment!
> >
> > TIM...@aol.com
>
> like some more of that Monk-ish trio stuff. Harry's a swinging cat, but
> he must like being funky too. But then, son't we all?
>
> Doug
>
> \\^// //////
> ( @-@ ) ( o o )
> /-----\ } /---------\ { /--------------------------------------------\
> | ( ~ ) ( - ) Doug & Craig (c-sch...@nwu.edu) |
> | .oooO Oooo. .oooO Ooooo. Our Page: Sweet Swing Jazz On The Web|
> | ( )___( ) ( )___( ) http://pubweb.acns.nwu.edu/~cds653 |
> \--\ ( _|_ ) /---\ ( _|_ ) /-----------------------------------------/
Jeff D'Andre
Ron Pelletier
Check out Harry in the new movie "Independence Day"...
And oh yes, there ain't nothing wrong with a bit of funk every once in a
while......
David Krugaman
Well, IMHO they're both pretty abominable. It's like asking who is a
better actor Jean-Claude Van Damme or Steven Seagal, isn't it.
Dave Krugman
Steve Sando
Ron Pelletier (pell...@gallery41.com) wrote:
: Check out Harry in the new movie "Independence Day"...
: And oh yes, there ain't nothing wrong with a bit of funk every once in a
: while......
No, there's not but Connick's "funky fun" is about as good as Barry
Manilow's big band tribute or Ethel Merman's disco album.