Michael & George (Feinstein Sings Gershwin)
When compared with the (sometimes unnecessary) liveliness found on most Gershwin interpretations, Michael Feinstein's Algonquin cool onMichael & Georgeis a bit of a shock. Lacking the bounce found on his first collection of Gershwin tunes (Pure Gershwin), this album of ballads and show tunes is more soothing than dance-ready. Sadly, the liveliest cut features Feinstein singing alongside a Gershwin-played piano roll with a cheesy dubbed MC introducing the music legend, as if the pair were caught in the act of playing today. We live in odd times: thanks to such rolls, ol' George is getting fairly consistent session work backing his fans some six decades after his death.--Jason Verlinde