Livingston and Evans Songbook

Artist: Michael Feinstein
Label: Feinery
Availability: In stock
Item #: 8011314

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Review

There are major songwriters whose names are as well known as those of the singers of their songs, and there are others who are largely unknown, requiring a list of their biggest hits to bring their accomplishments into focus. The team of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans fits into the latter category, probably because they wrote primarily for the movies rather than the Broadway stage and because their heyday occurred from the late '40s to the late '50s, instead of during the perceived golden age of the 1930s. So, here's the list: {"Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be),"} "Mona Lisa," and "Buttons and Bows" were their Oscar-winners, and among their other hits were "Silver Bells," "Tammy," and "To Each His Own." All those songs are featured on Michael Feinstein's tribute album, the flagship release on his new Feinery imprint for Concord Records. The album was made very much with the support of Livingston and Evans. Livingston (who died of pneumonia on October 17, 2001, at age 86) sings along and plays piano on several songs, and he and Evans submitted to an extensive interview printed in the CD booklet. The songwriters have also provided a number of lost songs from aborted projects that add considerably to their catalog. Writing on assignment, Livingston and Evans were versatile to a fault, such that it's hard to find a consistent style to their work. Feinstein imposes his own style, however, singing the ballads with his exaggerated smoothness and the novelty songs with appropriate sprightliness. On occasion, one wishes for more instrumentation and fuller arrangements to do justice to songs written with Hollywood orchestras in mind, but the intimacy of the songbook approach brings out the songwriters' craftsmanship well. Melissa Manchester's torchy performance of "Never Let Me Go" is a particular standout. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

The heyday of film musicals are thought of as the 1930s and '40s. Jay Livingston and Ray Evans helped keep the idiom alive in the 1950s and '60s in addition to writing for television. Twenty-six of their songs sold more than a million copies, while many of their other pieces are well worth reviving.

This intriguing set may be pianist-singer Michael Feinstein's but it also has Jay Livingston (who passed away in 2001) playing piano on many of the selections and also singing a few of his tunes including a medley of the theme songs from Bonanza and Mr. Ed. A previously unreleased "Anywhere But Here" features Rosemary Clooney and Jose Ferrer, while Melissa Manchester guests on "Never Let Me Go."

Other gems from the Livingston-Evans songbook include "Mona Lisa," "Buttons and Bows," "All the Time," "Silver Bells" and "Que Sera Sera." Throughout this joyful tribute, Michael Feinstein is generous in allocating space to others while directing traffic and sounding at his best during his spots.

This is one of the best Livingston & Evans tributes recorded, putting the spotlight on a songwriting team that deserves to be remembered.

—Scott Yanow

Extended Article

The multi-Oscar-winning songwriting team of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans penned some of the most memorable songs for the silver screen and in the American Songbook. WIth some 26 Livingston and Evans songs that boast record sales of a million or more, the word "popular" in "popular song" certainly applies where Livingston and Evans are concerned. WIth this debut release on the Feinery label, pianist, vocalist and popular music historian Michael Feinstein explores the treasure trove of Livingston and Evans songs with Jay Livingston himself (who also plays piano and sings) revealing new facets of these ageless gems. Vocalist Melissa Manchester joins in on a recording that is as fun as it is insightful.

While supplies last!

You're So Right for Me; Mona Lisa; What Fools These Mortals Be; Buttons and Bows; The Late Scene; Bonanza/Mr. Ed; All the Time; How Much Will I Love You; His Own Little Island; Silver Bells; Ya' Got Class; Never Let Me Go; Jubilie-Jubilo; Tammy; Through Children's Eyes; To Each His Own; Almost in Your Arms; Henriette; The Mating Season; Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera); As I Love You; Anywhere but Here; Wish Me a Rainbow.

Michael Feinstein, Jay Livingston, Pianos/Vocals; Shelly Markham, Page Cavanaugh, Pianos; Phil Mallory, Cliff Hugo, Basses; David Tull, Drums; Wayne Johnson, Guitar; Warren Leuning, Trumpet; Melissa Manchester, Vocals.

Tracklist

Livingston and Evans Songbook
	1. You're So Right for Me	2:28
	2. Mona Lisa	5:00
	3. What Fools These Mortals Be	3:02
	4. Buttons and Bows	2:44
	5. Late Scene	3:54
	6. Bonanza/Mr. Ed	2:03
	7. All the Time	3:04
	8. How Much Will I Love You	3:41
	9. His Own Little Island	2:41
	10. Silver Bells	3:01
	11. Ya' Got Class	2:59
	12. Never Let Me Go	4:51
	13. Jubilie-Jubilo	4:37
	14. Tammy	3:23
	15. Through Children's Eyes	3:07
	16. To Each His Own	4:22
	17. Almost in Your Arms	3:30
	18. Henriette	2:36
	19. Mating Season	3:11
	20. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)	2:16
	21. As I Love You	2:40
	22. Anywhere but Here	3:40
	23. Wish Me a Rainbow	2:54

Details and Credits

Product Details

Label: Feinery
Release date: 2002/10/08

Styles

Nostalgia
Show Tunes
Traditional Pop

Album Credits
Performance Credits
Buddy Cole	Piano
Cliff Hugo	Bass
David Tull	Drums
Eileen Wilson	Vocals
Jay Livingston	Piano
José Ferrer	Vocals
Melissa Manchester	Vocals
Michael Feinstein	Piano
Page Cavanaugh	Piano
Phil Mallory	Bass
Ray Kellogg	Vocals
Rosemary Clooney	Vocals
Shelly Markham	Piano
Warren Luening	Trumpet
Wayne Johnson	Guitar

Technical Credits
Brian King	Engineer
Jill Simonsen	Art Direction
Ray Evans	Liner Notes
Roger Karnbad	Photography
Seth Presant	Mastering
Valerie Whitesell	Production Coordination