It's a shame that songwriter Harry Warren's name is not as well known as some of his contemporaries like Cole Porter or Irving Berlin. For whatever reason, writing dozens of hit songs like "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" and winning three Academy Awards wasn't enough to get the name recognition he deserved. Hoping to change that, Michael Feinstein pays tribute to the often-ignored composer on Hopeless Romantics, a collection of Warren songs performed by Feinstein and pianist George Shearing. With both musicians quite familiar with ...
Read More
It's a shame that songwriter Harry Warren's name is not as well known as some of his contemporaries like Cole Porter or Irving Berlin. For whatever reason, writing dozens of hit songs like "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" and winning three Academy Awards wasn't enough to get the name recognition he deserved. Hoping to change that, Michael Feinstein pays tribute to the often-ignored composer on Hopeless Romantics, a collection of Warren songs performed by Feinstein and pianist George Shearing. With both musicians quite familiar with the Warren catalog, Feinstein and Shearing decided to focus their attention specifically on Warren's more romantic songs. Therefore, popular upbeat hits like "Jeepers Creepers" and "Lullaby of Broadway" were set aside in favor of softer tunes like "At Last" and "I Only Have Eyes for You." Of course, this approach is a perfect fit for Feinstein, who has crooned thousands of American standards in his subdued cabaret style. The bonus this time around, though, is to have famed jazz pianist Shearing provide the accompaniment. The pairing works fine, especially when Shearing gets to riff a little on slightly more midtempo songs like "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me," but no matter how impeccable and gorgeous Shearing's work is, the album's low-key approach leaves little room for him to shine. Even one of Shearing's most famous snappy songs, "September in the Rain," is reduced to a maudlin ballad. It still works, but the magic of this pairing is something that would be more appreciated in a concert setting where each performer has room to move. As it is, working within the romantic theme and the confines of the studio provides little variety in either tone or tempo. But rising above it all are Warren's songs, and it is beneficial that Feinstein resurrects beautiful yet forgotten tunes like "Shadow Waltz." Of course, Feinstein is pitch-perfect and squeezes every ounce of good sentimentality out of each lyric, much in the way he did on his brilliant 2003 disc, Only One Life: The Songs of Jimmy Webb. This collection, however, is a little too quiet and mannered, but Feinstein and Shearing still do a great service by bringing these tunes back to the forefront. After hearing Hopeless Romantics, the name of Harry Warren should remain imbedded in the listener's memory. ~ Aaron Latham, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $2.00, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord.
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $2.99, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Disc(s) and case show moderate signs of wear and tear. All items include the original case and artwork. All items ship Mon-Fri. Jewel Case has significant wear, including cracks.
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $3.00, good condition, Sold by Bookmans rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tucson, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord Records.
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $3.24, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord Records.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $3.24, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord Music Group.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $4.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord Records.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $6.39, like new condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord.
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $6.39, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord.
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $6.39, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. audioCD. Case Good. Case cracked/scuffed. Disc slightly scratched. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
Add this copy of Hopeless Romantics to cart. $11.35, like new condition, Sold by Lake Country Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Excelsior, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Concord Records.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Like New. CD and inserts are MINT, and jewel case is NEW. Inserts are unaltered. Ships in cardboard CD mailer with complimentary Delivery Confirmation. Books, box sets, and items other than standard jewel case CDs and DVDs that sell for $9 or more ship in a box; under $9 in a bubble mailer. Expedited and international orders may ship in a flat rate envelope rather than a box due to cost constraints. All US-addressed items ship with complimentary delivery confirmation.
Harry Warren?? Who is he?? Everyone has heard of Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin? But who knows who Harry Warren is? If you like the works of Kern, Berlin and Gershwin (and know lots of the words), you will find yourself singing to these well known songs of Harry Warren!!
Harry was born born Salvatore Guaragna on Christmas Eve 1893. In the 1920's onward had a very diverse set of musical output than any popular songwriter and had more hits songs on the radio (and later television)show "Your Hit Parade" than any other songwriter.
Add to this the skills of George Shearing and Michael Feinstein and you have almost a wonderful hour of beautiful piano music and wonderful songs!
George Shearing was known as a jazz stylist, playing for years with his jazz/swing quartet, but he shows how masterful he is as he accompanies Michael!! Honestly, I had forgotten how talented and romantic his playing was!! His playing reminds me how perfectly suited his accompaniment for Michael was.
And last but not least, the soothing, mellow voice of Michael Feinstein! And the wonderful, smooth words of long familiar songs. Simply ~ enjoy!!
