Columbia's 1987
Gershwin tribute album brandished the word "Classic" in the title with good reason, as
Leonard Bernstein leads the
New York Philharmonic in a reading of "An American in Paris" and
Zubin Mehta conducts that same orchestra in a medley of themes from
Woody Allen's film Manhattan.
George Gershwin's 1925 player piano roll version of "Rhapsody in Blue" is accompanied by the Columbia Jazz Band under the direction of
Michael Tilson Thomas, who conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic on behalf of Porgy and Bess and performs
Gershwin's "Three Preludes for Piano." Guitarist
John Williams is featured on "A Foggy Day," and flautist
Jean-Pierre Rampal delivers a light and spotless rendition of "Liza." This album, portions of which were recorded live, also contains a lovely, intimate rendition of "Embraceable You" by
Cleo Laine and three arias from Porgy and Bess which are transformed into jazzy orchestral lieder by the incomparable
Sarah Vaughan. ~ arwulf arwulf