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VARIOUS ARTISTS The Very Best Of Gershwin (Decca/Universal) I have many Gershwin albums and I count George as one of my all time favourite composers. Many great stars, musicians and orchestras have performed Gershwin at some time, which is a major credit to this awesome composer. This wonderful two CD package not only showcases the excellent range of Gershwin's works, but it also includes biographical notes that give you an insight into the man who became known as the 'Father Of American Music'. The Very Best Of Gershwin is also a tribute to those who wrote the lyrics i.e. Ira Gershwin and author Edwin DuBose Heyward. Side one is made up of jazz interpretations, and side two gives us the more theatrical and classical side of George Gershwin. 'Strike Up The Band' is brilliantly interpreted by the great Oscar Peterson (the most recorded jazz pianist). Who else could touch the heart so romantically, yet with melancholy than Ella and Louis performing 'Summertime' from Porgy & Bess. Sarah Vaughan's rendition of 'The Man I Love' is one of the noted highlights in jazz history. Blossom Dearie's warm, husky vocals truly compliment the lyrical content of 'Someone To Watch Over Me'. One of the greatest jazz vocalists and stylists is the late great Billie Holiday, and here she sings the beautifully warm 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. Joe Williams, Count Basie, Nina Simone, Anita O'Day are among the many other great jazz artists contained within. The second disc includes the Cleveland Orchestra performing 'Rhapsody In Blue' and 'An American In Paris' that are sheer romance with their sweeping orchestrations and dynamic highs and lows; particularly the breathtaking contributions by pianist Ivan Davis, and clarinet soloist dadadada. Both of these compositions showed that Gershwin was a master at composing musical tapestries. Arthur Fiedler was a great arranger, but his arrangement of 'Three Preludes' is too pompous for my liking. Another gem is performed by pianist Peter Jablonski and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting the memorable 'Piano Concerto in F'. I recommend you seek out Maurice Peress 'MusicMasters/BMG' release of Digital George that features the delightfully, intimate and melancholy renditions of the 'Three Preludes', especially 'Prelude Two'. Ivan Davis is the featured pianist. Background photo shows l-r George and Ira.Gazz Click on album image to see larger album cover 
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