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11-24-2011, 08:35 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Let it drip
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,430
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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. Last edited by Sneer; 11-24-2011 at 09:15 PM. |
11-24-2011, 09:11 PM | #4 (permalink) | |
Al Dente
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,708
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Quote:
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: |
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11-24-2011, 09:20 PM | #5 (permalink) |
the worst guy
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Miami is the place
Posts: 11,609
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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.
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11-26-2011, 07:16 AM | #9 (permalink) |
Dat's Der Bunny!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ireland
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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
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11-26-2011, 07:23 AM | #10 (permalink) |
Music Addict
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