On his new album, The Sinatra Project, Michael Feinstein pays respectful homage to the chairman of the Board himself. Collaborating with producer-arranger Bill Elliot here, Feinstein brings his own spin to classic songs recorded by Sinatra. And he does it his way.

Fluently capturing the soft big band sounds of the past, Feinstein and Elliot have created a cozy listen that will woo nostalgia buffs. Singing in his casual, feathery baritone, Feinstein is most comfortable on the softer moments, like a warm reading of “Fool Rush In,” which is a highlight. Here, Feinstein does what he does best: croon intimately. Other highlights include well-phrased, tasty readings of “There’s a Small Hotel” and “How Long Will It Last.”

In spite of the album’s other classic songs, the standout cut is a real beauty that Sinatra never even recorded but supposedly fell in love with, “The Same Hello, the Same Goodbye,” by Alan and Marilyn Bergman with John Williams. This winner should have a life of its own with this premiere recording.
Elliot’s flawless, lush orchestrations make this album worth it. And, the adoration of the singer for Sinatra and for the song selection is apparent on this interesting disc. Feinstein fans won’t be disappointed.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
January/February 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org