Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
Posted by Rene at 7/13/2010 12:22 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Ira Gershwin Michael Feinstein Brian Wilson KCRW George Gershwin
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Ira Gershwin Michael Feinstein Brian Wilson KCRW George Gershwin
As most Brian Wilson fans know, Brian was asked by the Gershwin estate to 'reimagine' some classic Gershwin songs and 'collaborate' with George and Ira.
It's a scary prospect, you know, to take on such legendary music (by another legend, no less). I think there were a lot of Wilson fans that were concerned about how this project would work out. Well, the last week or so, there was a song that was released on BrianWilson.com. The song is called "The Like In I Love You." It is based on an old Gershwin rarity called "Will You Remember Me."
Since the release of this song, the conversation has been 'where does Gershwin end and Wilson start?' It's an interesting question. To compare the songs, we'd have to hear the original Gershwin song. The original tune by George and Ira Gershwin was never officially released after it was composed. It was supposed to be included in the show "Lady Be Good" and performed by Fred Astaire. However, it was tossed out of the production and not heard very much since then.
It has since been recorded twice by Michael Feinstein. The first version was from a radio program he hosted called "Cabaret Americana" on Los Angeles station KCRW, September 3, 1990, a special Labor Day program. During the final hour of the show he was playing obscure Gershwin recordings or performing songs on the piano that had never been finished, or otherwise released. I am fortunate to have a copy of that program. Below is a snippet of that radio show. Michael Feinstein performing "Will You Remember Me." I am placing it here because it is very, very rare and of historical significance.
Will You Remember Me - Michael Feinstein from "Cabaret Americana"
The second version Michael Feinstein recorded was officially released on a CD called "Nice Work If You Can Get It." If you'd like to hear that, you should visit Amazon.com or iTunes. You can hear a snippet of it. It's really just a polished up version of the piano demo heard above. The 30 second snippet is probably sufficient.
You can listen to the new Brian Wilson recording on his website, Brianwilson.com.
Hope this helps.
It's a scary prospect, you know, to take on such legendary music (by another legend, no less). I think there were a lot of Wilson fans that were concerned about how this project would work out. Well, the last week or so, there was a song that was released on BrianWilson.com. The song is called "The Like In I Love You." It is based on an old Gershwin rarity called "Will You Remember Me."
Since the release of this song, the conversation has been 'where does Gershwin end and Wilson start?' It's an interesting question. To compare the songs, we'd have to hear the original Gershwin song. The original tune by George and Ira Gershwin was never officially released after it was composed. It was supposed to be included in the show "Lady Be Good" and performed by Fred Astaire. However, it was tossed out of the production and not heard very much since then.
It has since been recorded twice by Michael Feinstein. The first version was from a radio program he hosted called "Cabaret Americana" on Los Angeles station KCRW, September 3, 1990, a special Labor Day program. During the final hour of the show he was playing obscure Gershwin recordings or performing songs on the piano that had never been finished, or otherwise released. I am fortunate to have a copy of that program. Below is a snippet of that radio show. Michael Feinstein performing "Will You Remember Me." I am placing it here because it is very, very rare and of historical significance.
Will You Remember Me - Michael Feinstein from "Cabaret Americana"
The second version Michael Feinstein recorded was officially released on a CD called "Nice Work If You Can Get It." If you'd like to hear that, you should visit Amazon.com or iTunes. You can hear a snippet of it. It's really just a polished up version of the piano demo heard above. The 30 second snippet is probably sufficient.
You can listen to the new Brian Wilson recording on his website, Brianwilson.com.
Hope this helps.
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