NO PLACE LIKE HOME—
UNLESS MICHAEL FEINSTEIN TAKES YOU THERE
Let’s Get Away From It All proves the Great American
Songbook is still first-class travel

When Michael Feinstein opened his show Let’s Get Away From It All at Zankel Hall with the question, “Is there anybody that doesn’t want to get away?” the answer came back loud and clear—with audience enthusiasm, unreserved agreement, and relief at the invitation to forget the ordinary for a few hours. Times are uncertain, burdens many, and the promise of escape—musical, emotional, and nostalgic—has rarely felt more urgent. Feinstein delivered just that: an evening of solace, showmanship, and the timeless charm of the Great American Songbook.

Feinstein admitted upfront that many travel-songs are lackluster and even offered an a cappella example to underscore the point. But because he is a consummate artist, his selection here was both eclectic and exhilarating. Backed for most of the show by Tedd Firth on piano, David Finck on bass and Mark McLean on drums, he also sat at the piano himself for songs like “Where Can I Go Without You?” “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” and “Thanks for the Memory”—proving he is just as adept at playing piano as he is at delivering a lyric.

The program ranged widely: novelty numbers (“Rhode Island Is Famous For You”), blues (“St. Louis Blues”), and dust-soft ballads (“You Belong to Me”). Feinstein prefaced each with rich context—composer anecdotes, lyricist backstories, singer origins—and his storytelling only deepened the experience. There’s a good reason Michael Feinstein has earned the reputation of “ultimate interpreter” of the American songbook: he crafts every note with delicate care, connects phrasing seamlessly, and pairs reverence with verve.

Feinstein brought the show home with “Take Me Back to Manhattan” and the theme to “New York, New York,” reminding us that no matter where you travel, there’s no place like home—especially when Michael Feinstein is singing about it. The night felt like a warm-hearted escape, a courtesy trip through memory lanes, a musical suitcase you can pack and bring with you long after closing time.

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photos by Fadi Kheir

Let’s Get Away From It All
Michael Feinstein
part of Carnegie Hall’s Standard Time Series
Zankel Hall, 881 7th Ave., New York, NY
reviewed on Nov. 5, 2025
for more concerts, visit Carnegie Hall
keep up with Michael Feinstein

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