Change of Heart: The Songs of André Previn / Change of Heart: The Songs of Andre Previn

Singer/pianist Michael Feinstein has spent his entire career celebrating pre-rock pop music with a scholar’s ear for detail and a music lover’s need to get it just right. Here he teams with GRAMMY®- and Oscar-winning composer/pianist/conductor Andre Previn (plus bassist and co-producer David Finck) for a stripped-down survey of 12 tunes from Previn’s vast career. While certain songs will be recognizable to fans of Previn’s stage and film music, there are also obscurities like "The Easy Way," which was written for the film Valley of the Dolls but not included on the soundtrack. A noted archivist, Feinstein resurrects "Empty Is My Room" and "Goodbye," which Previn had written for the film adaptation of Goodbye Mr. Chips. Both are fine songs, leading one to wonder why Previn’s music was replaced on the project before the film was finished. Other notable tracks include “You’re Gonna Hear from Me,” which has particularly strong playing by Previn, and the album closer “Goodbye,” where Feinstein wrings just the right amount of passion out of the lyrics without overplaying it.