Favourite version of Summertime?
 

We all know the song Summertime, written by George Gershwin as the opening aria in his opera Porgy and Bess in 1935. It's one of those songs that has the capacity to connect with people on a deeply personal level, irrespective of social class, race or age and, as result of its universal appeal, is the most covered song in musical history, with over 25,000 interpretations to its name.

Original arrangement


So, what's your favourite rendition? Why does this particular version reverbrate with you more so than any other?

I personally love covers by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, The Zombies, Miles Davis, Albert Ayler and Ricky Nelson, but my favourite has to be this:



For me, it's all in Joplin's voice. There's a desperation in the delivery, a call to make the most of those special, almost intangible moments the song encapsulates. It's as if she knew time was running out for her, and she's imploring the listener to glean as much from life as they can, before it's too late. I also love the intro created by the band, and the guitar work is so emotive.

Over to you.

I know I know...

Why that one?

I feel heretical in saying it, but despite all the great jazz versions, Janis' version is probably the best that's out there.

Then original by Anne Brown from Porgy and Bess is absolutely atrocious; I don't care what anyone else says about it. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong later did a duet that was much better and I especially like Louis' brash trumpet lead in, but I think that this particular live performance by Ella from 1960 is run's a close second to Janis' version:

I was trying to remember which bloody song had that opening for about 15 minutes, then I saw it on a YouTube play list.

It's not my favourite version anyway, if even a version at all.

I would probably go for your selection. It's the one I am most familiar with, but an awesome tune nonetheless.

sam cooke version

John Coltrane's version.

Definitely Janis. She nails the vocals, puts some serious soul in it. The guitar playing is great. I just love that version

That Janis Joplin version is great, I don't think I'd heard it before now. It's aspires to everything I look for in a "Cover" (in that it's almost a new composition in itself). It's original, while maintaining the original meaning and fundamental concept of the piece.

That said, I'm gonna have to say my favourite is the Ella & Louis Armstrong version:



I absolutely adore both their voices, they're so wonderfully warm and deep. It feels like a lazy summer day. While Joplin sounds great, I prefer the song in a lower register (really don't like the first link, far too harsh for the feeling of the accompaniment). Hers works because the accompaniment is changes from soft strings to a harsher guitar sound, so the voice and accompaniment are singing the same tune, to my ears anyway.

The decision is probably helped by the fact that my mum used to play Louis/Ella duets in the car when we were on summer holidays, so the combination of their voices is intrinsically linked with summertime and holidays for me :D