Michael Feinstein - Live at the Algonquin (1987)

Before he forged a reputation as the walking, talking encyclopedia of American popular song, Michael Feinstein was a cabaret singer, and this 1987 live recording from New York's Algonquin Hotel captures him in his element. Feinstein performs ballads, list songs, a medley of Ira Gershwin songs, and comic songs, all to his own expert piano accompaniment. Some of the best (and least familiar) numbers are those aimed at the knowing audience, including "You," a hilarious cut-and-paste job of famous song phrases, and "On Such a Night as This," a poignant listing of bygone musical moments. Feinstein also sings "Old Friends," the cheery Sondheim number from Merrily We Roll Along, and "Old Friend," the heartbreaker from Nancy Ford and Gretchen Cryer's I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road. This is Feinstein at his best.