[sschweiger]

I will happily agree with Leigh Ann and "second" the motion (or "emotion," as Smokey Robinson sang) regarding a replay of the Michael Feinstein "Playing Favories" show.

Eunice and I recently saw Michael at the MGM Foxwoods Resort in CT. He did his "Sinatra Tribute" and it was sensational. He brings more than just a terrific voice, singing style, impeccable taste, and personality to the stage. You can tell that he LOVES the Great American Songbook! He's an archivist and historian of this "American Classical Music." HE ACTUALLY WORKED FOR IRA GERSHWIN!

I'm not Michael's press agent, but I would definitely love to hear his October, '08 "Playing Favorites," since I didn't get my satellite radio until November. If possible, I would like to hear all of the pre-November, '08 programs. In fact, why not have Michael do another show? As he stated so simply and eloquently at Foxwoods, "anyone who loves this music loves Frank Sinatra."

'Way to go, Leigh Ann!"

Originally Posted by sschweiger

In fact, why not have Michael do another show?

Michael has done two different Playing Favorites shows. The first was in October '07, and it was repeated in May '08. The second program in October '08 featured his own album.

I agree, he does a great job. I certainly wouldn't mind hearing a third program hosted by Feinstein.

From the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Remembering The Gershwins: Playing Favorites with Alexis Gershwin
Mon 5/4 6:00 pm ET

During his career, Frank recorded 15 songs written by the Gershwins. This week, George and Ira’s niece, Alexis, stops in to play all 15 of those songs along with one from her new CD, Gershwin Sings Gershwin. It’s a hour of some of the greatest songs ever written, sung by Frank, and presented by the brothers’ only living relative. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 5/7 9:00 am ET; Sat 5/9 12:00 pm ET

Show #66 — Alexis Gershwin: May 4–9, 2009

1. Long Ago And Far Away - V-Disc (Radio) 1944
2. Someone To Watch Over Me - Columbia 1945
3. Embraceable You - Capitol 1960
4. I've Got A Crush On You - Live 1966
5. A Foggy Day (In London Town) - Capitol 1953
6. They Can't Take That Away From Me - Reprise 1962
7. (Bess, Oh) Where Is My Bess? - Columbia 1946
8. Nice Work If You Can Get It - Reprise 1962
9. Love Walked In - Reprise 1961
10. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' - Capitol 1956
11. Alexis Gershwin – The Man I Love *
12. But Not For Me - Reprise 1979
13. They All Laughed - Reprise 1979
14. Love Is Here To Stay - Capitol 1955
15. I Can't Get Started - Capitol 1959
16. The Gal That Got Away - Capitol 1954
    
    *
    
    CD: Gershwin Sings Gershwin (April 2009)

See also website: Alexis Gershwin

This looks like a great show. Thanks for the post. I'm going to be listening.

Alexis Gershwin presented a fine show. It was refreshing to have a host tell us the recording dates and original albums of the songs, and to mention which of multiple recordings was played.

While she played all 15 George and Ira Gershwin songs which Sinatra released ON RECORDS, there were others which he performed on radio and TV. In particular, additional material may be heard on the Columbia/Legacy CD, Sinatra Sings Gershwin.

The first (and earliest) song played in the program, "Long Ago And Far Away," was actually from a 1944 radio broadcast, but it was released on a US Army V-Disc. It may be found in The V-Discs box set, plus on the CD which accompanied Ken Burns' recent TV film The War: Sentimental Journey: Hits From The Second World War. Those CD versions contain an additional narrative intro which was not heard on Playing Favorites, recorded by FS for the V-Disc:

"Gentlemen of the Armed Forces, this is the hoodlum from Hoboken. I'd like to sing a tune for you. My name's Sinatra, and I hope you's like it, hey?"

Next week, from the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Sergio Mendes
Mon 5/11 6:00 pm ET

This program originally aired last year, before our XM friends joined the family. We’re giving it another spin so everyone can catch up with this loving remembrance of Sergio’s friend and mentor. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 5/14 9:00 am ET; Sat 5/16 12:00 pm ET

This program is a repeat of Show #36 from June 9–14, 2008.

This week's Playing Favorites is a repeat of Show #4 from Sep. 24–29, 2007, hosted by Steve Tyrell.

[Leigh Ann]

So great to hear Steve Tyrell tonight - I can't wait for the repeat so I can hear the part that I missed.

Next week, from the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Linda Ronstadt
Mon 5/25 6:00 pm ET

This week, we’re presenting an encore of our very first Playing Favorites show from two years ago. Linda Ronstadt is a passionate student of pop music and we were honored that she shared that love with us as our very first guest. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 5/28 9:00 am ET; Sat 5/30 12:00 pm ET

This program is a repeat of Show #1 from Sep. 3–8, 2007.

Next week, from the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Roger Williams
Mon 6/1 6:00 pm ET

Pianist Roger Williams joined us last August and picked his favorites from Frank’s catalog as well as some instrumental memories from his own. Don't miss this rebroadcast. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 6/4 9:00 am ET; Sat 6/6 12:00 pm ET

This program is a repeat of Show #41 from Aug. 4–9, 2008.

[sschweiger]

Linda's "Playing Favorites" was a joy! She is very passionate about FS and The Great American Songbook, and her choice of songs was excellent!

Her versatility as an artist is very special, and somewhat unique among ALL recording artists. Think about her career: she had a terrific run as a rock star; she appeared on Broadway in Gilbert & Sullivan; she had a best seller with a Spanish flavored album; she "crossed over" beautifully into SinatraLand & TGAS, thanks to her wonderful recording relationship with Nelson Riddle. And I've probably played her version of "Perfidia'" about a thousand times. It's as good as any that I've heard over the years!

Simply put, as "Playing Favorites'"1st guest host (or is it hostess?), Linda was right on the money, and well deserving of that initial honor.

In two weeks, from the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Michael Feinstein
Mon 6/8 6:00 pm ET

Members of the forum pages at www.sinatrafamily.com reminded us that we haven’t aired Michael Feinstein’s original visit to Playing Favorites in quite a while. For those who missed this historian’s hour of Sinatra favorites that originally aired in October of 2007, so here it is again. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 6/11 9:00 am ET; Sat 6/13 12:00 pm ET

This program is a repeat of Show #7 from Oct. 15–20, 2007.

[Leigh Ann]

Oh my goodness, are you kidding me?! This is such great news! And I do believe I was one of the people begging for this show. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear it.

[SinatraFan]

Michael's show was one of the best I've heard. I'm glad it's getting replayed. And nice to see the SFF get mentioned on the Siriusly Sinatra website.

[sschweiger]

To all responsible for scheduling "Playing Favorites," thank you for the up-coming Michael Feinstein re-play. I will rev up the tape recorder!

Re: Linda -- I listened to her show again today, and was once again struck by her musical & recording knowledge. She really "gets it!" Her only 'misstep' was saying that FS only needed one or two takes to get a final job done. Years ago, Jonathan Schwartz played part of a recording session from "Wee Small Hours" -- it was the entire "What Is This Thing Called Love?" portion. I could be wrong, but I believe the track we hear on the album was the take #21!

Linda was wonderful, and I'm eagerly looking forward to Michael.

[Leigh Ann]

Michael Feinstein is on now! Thank you so much for playing this show. I love this 1940 version of East of the Sun he's playing right now and can't wait to hear what he has to say during the show.

The mystery guest host this week is... Tita Cahn.

No pre-announcement on the Sirius website, but this is a new show and not a repeat of her earlier two programs (Show #18 and Show #46).

The show celebrates Sammy Cahn's 96th birthday (June 18th) and is dedicated to Nancy Sinatra, Sr. I'll post the details below following the initial program.

Show #67 — Tita Cahn: June 15–20, 2009

"We're here today to celebrate what would have been Sammy Cahn's 96th birthday ... June 18th, 1913."
"Frank had more than one marriage, but he had only one wife, and this is dedicated to her: Nancy Sr."

1. Sammy Cahn – Come Fly With Me
2. I Could Make You Care (with Tommy Dorsey Orchestra) - Victor 1940
3. Thelma Houston – If It's The Last Thing I Do
4. Sammy Cahn talks about writing lyrics and sings examples, including Call Me Irresponsible.
5. Sammy Cahn talks about his early family life.
6. Day By Day - Capitol 1961
7. Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night In The Week) - Columbia 1944
8. Sammy Cahn – (Kiss Me Once And Kiss Me Twice) It's Been A Long, Long Time (with narrative intro)
9. Keely Smith – Be My Love
10. Mario Lanza – Because You're Mine
11. Dean Martin – Because You're Mine
12. Peggy Lee – That's What A Woman Is For
13. Marilyn Monroe & Frankie Vaughan – Let's Make Love
14. Barbara Stanwyck – Take It Off The E-String, Play It On The G-String
15. Only The Lonely - Capitol 1958
16. Come Dance With Me - Capitol 1958
17. Nat King Cole – Put 'Em In A Box, Tie 'Em With A Ribbon (And Throw 'Em In The Deep Blue Sea)
18. Barbra Streisand – Love Is A Bore
19. What Makes The Sunset? - Columbia 1944
20. Sarah Vaughan – Wonder Why
21. Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz – Only Trust Your Heart
22. Sammy Cahn talks about writing ballads, intro to...
23. Ray Charles – Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
24. Buy A Piece Of The Peace - Radio 1945
25. High Hopes With Jack Kennedy (with Jimmy Joyce Singers) - Campaign Promo 1960
26. Garth Brooks – Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
27. I'll Only Miss Her When I Think Of Her - Reprise 1965
28. Julie Harris & Peter Marshall – Opposites
29. Peggy Lee – Walking Happy
30. Time After Time - Columbia 1946
31. Ring-A-Ding Ding - Reprise 1960
32. All My Tomorrows - Capitol 1958
33. Finale Medley: As Long As There's Music / Some Other Time / Where Does Love Begin?
    (with Gloria DeHaven, George Murphy & Chorus) - Movie 1944: Step Lively

Program time: 1 hour, 42 minutes

From the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Tita Cahn
Tomorrow 9:00 am ET

This week, Tita Cahn, the wife of lyricist Sammy Cahn, pays a third visit to the Playing Favorites microphone as she pays tribute to Sammy on the occasion of his 96th birthday! She’s bringing along lots of rarities including audio of Sammy himself and such great artists as Peggy Lee, Mario Lanza, Nat Cole, Ray Charles and….Barbara Stanwyck!?!?! (2 hrs)

Rebroadcast: Tomorrow 12:00 pm ET