The Best Of Gershwin Love Songs by Mev Berman & The Avalon Strings – A Timeless Gem That Still Hits Different
Let me tell you, this album isn’t just some random collection of George Gershwin tunes. It’s like stepping into a warm bath of nostalgia, with strings so lush they feel like a hug from the past. Released in 1969 under Avalon Music (yep, Canadian vibes all the way), it blends genres like Easy Listening, Jazz, Classical, and even Stage & Screen magic without breaking a sweat. And oh boy, does it work.
First off, props to Mev Berman for wearing multiple hats here—he’s arranging, conducting, playing oboe, and making sure everything sounds ridiculously smooth. If that ain’t dedication, I don’t know what is. Then there’s Neil Chotem stepping in on a few tracks to add his own flair, and Lesley Young pulling double duty as producer and English horn player. You can hear their chemistry—it’s alive, almost breathing through your speakers.
Now, let’s talk about two tracks that stuck with me long after the record stopped spinning: “Summertime” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”
“Summertime,” man… it’s haunting. Like, goosebumps-on-your-arms kind of haunting. Sure, we’ve all heard covers of this Porgy and Bess classic before, but something about how Mev Berman and The Avalon Strings tackle it feels different. The arrangement is stripped back enough to let Fujiko Imajishi’s violin soar, but rich enough to wrap you up in its melancholy. Every note drips with longing, like summer nights that stretch forever but still end too soon. When I listen to this version, I’m not just hearing music—I’m remembering summers I never even lived. Weird, right? But that’s the power of Gershwin done right.
And then there’s “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” This one hits me square in the chest every time. Maybe it’s because the lyrics are simple yet devastatingly true—you can lose everything, but no one can take away memories of love once shared. Or maybe it’s how Mev layers those strings; they’re tender but steady, like an old friend reminding you that life goes on. There’s a moment near the end where the tempo slows ever so slightly, and honestly, it feels like the whole world pauses with it. Goosebumps again. Always.
What makes this album special isn’t just the technical brilliance (though Gary Gray’s engineering deserves a shoutout—it’s crisp without being cold). It’s the way these songs feel personal, even though they were written decades ago. Listening to them feels like flipping through someone else’s photo album and finding pieces of yourself tucked between the pages.
Here’s the kicker: I didn’t expect to fall for an orchestral/easy listening crossover record from 1969. I mean, who does nowadays? Most people would scroll past this thinking, “Nah, too fancy for me.” But trust me, give it a shot. Whether you’re into jazz, classical, or just need something soft to play while pretending adulthood isn’t hard, this album delivers.
Fun fact: Did you notice how many versions of certain songs are listed twice in the tracklist? Was that a typo, or was someone trying to make us think twice about repetition? Either way, it kinda works. Life repeats itself sometimes, doesn’t it?
So yeah, if you’re looking for an escape—a little slice of timeless beauty—grab yourself a copy of The Best Of Gershwin Love Songs. Just don’t blame me when you start humming “Summertime” at odd hours of the night.
They Can't Take That Away from Me, song (from Shall We Dance?, film)
02:45
A Foggy Day In Londontown
4:29
Someone to Watch over Me
3:43
They Can't Take That Away from Me
2:45
A Foggy Day in Londontown
4:28
But Not For Me
4:40
Porgy and Bess, opera~Bess You Is My Woman Now
04:34
Love Is Here to Stay (1)
3:23
My Man's Gone Now
4:11
How Long Has This Been Going On
3:21
Love Is Here To Stay
3:23
A Foggy Day (in London Town), song (from A Damsel in Distress, film)
04:28
Porgy and Bess, opera~My Man's Gone Now
04:11
Summertime
4:33
How Long Has This Been Going On?, song (from Rosalie, musical)
03:21
Love Is Here to Stay (2)
1:16
Bess You Is My Woman Now
4:34
My Man's Gone Now
4:11
Love Walked In
4:2
The Man I Love
5:15
They Can't Take That Away From Me
2:45
Summertime, song (from Porgy and Bess, opera)
04:33
But Not for Me, song (from Girl Crazy, musical)
04:40
The Man I Love, song (from Strike Up the Band, 1st version; orig. composed for Lady, Be Good!)
05:15
Somebody Loves Me, song (from George White's Scandals of 1924, revue)
03:50
Love Is Here to Stay, song (from The Goldwyn Follies, film)
03:23
Someone To Watch Over Me
3:43
Somebody Loves Me
3:50
Love Walked In, song (from the The Goldwyn Follies, film)
04:02
But Not for Me
4:40
Someone to Watch Over Me, song (from Oh, Kay!, musical)
03:43
Somebody Loves You
3:51
Images
Catalog Numbers
SOLCD22
SOLTA22
Labels
Avalon Music
Listen online
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lytte på nettet
kuunnella verkossa
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Formats
CD
Album
Cassette
Companies
Role
Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)
Avalon Music
Copyright (c)
Avalon Music
Manufactured By
Avalon Music
Distributed By
Avalon Music
Engineered At
Manta Sound
Mixed At
Manta Sound
Credits
Role
Credit
Arranged By
Mev Berman (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13), Neil Chotem (tracks: 4, 7, 10, 12)
Art Direction
Calibre Design
Concertmaster
Fujiko Imajishi
Conductor
Mev Berman
Engineer
Gary Gray
Mixed By
Gary Gray
English Horn
Lesley Young
Executive-Producer
Andy Burgess, Gordon Gibson
Liner Notes
Andy Burgess
Music Consultant
Howard Baer
Oboe
Mev Berman
Photography By
Rob Waymen
Producer
Lesley Young, Mev Berman
Written-By
George Gershwin
Notes
Program time - 50:07
Printed/Made in Canada.
Barcodes
Barcode: 0 9674-18022-2 5
Mastering SID Code: L382
Mould SID Code: IFPI6000
Matrix / Runout: #960724CC SOLCD-22 L382 MFG BY CINRAM
Rights Society: SOCAN
Barcode: 0 9674-18022-4 9
About Mev Berman & The Avalon Strings
Oboist
Interesting fact about Album
Did you know? The album *The Best Of Gershwin Love Songs* by Mev Berman & The Avalon Strings, released in 1969, is a beautiful blend of genres like jazz, classical, and easy listening. What makes it special is how it brings George Gershwin's timeless songs to life with lush orchestral arrangements. Fun fact: Mev Berman not only conducted and arranged most of the tracks but also played the oboe! It’s like having one person wear multiple hats—talk about talent.
