Favourite version of Summertime?

Sneer · 11-24-2011, 07:35 PM

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.

**Goofle** · 11-24-2011, 07:53 PM

I know I know...

Sneer · 11-24-2011, 07:55 PM

Why that one?

**Janszoon** · 11-29-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomClancy11

I know I know...

Honestly this would probably be my vote too, if it counts as a version of it. It's not great or anything but not bad, I like the vibes/flute combination. "Summertime" is just not a song that's ever really done it for me, and despite loving a lot of jazz generally speaking, all the jazz versions of it that I'm familiar with (Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker) are pretty dull to my ears. I had never heard the Janis Joplin version until reading this thread but that didn't really do it for me either.

Engine · 11-29-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumor

This one is really beautiful as well.

'Tis isn't it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

"Summertime" is just not a song that's ever really done it for me, and despite loving a lot of jazz generally speaking, all the jazz versions of it that I'm familiar with (Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker) are pretty dull to my ears. I had never heard the Janis Joplin version until reading this thread but that didn't really do it for me either.

I'm surprised you hadn't heard the Janis version. I remember hearing that song all of my life, fascinated by her bizarre rasp. In fact, I think I myself thought she wrote Summertime for a while.
As for the jazz part, I don't love most of the versions. And even though I'm not much of a fan of Ella Fitzgerald, my next favorite Summertime version after Billie's is probably the Ella/Louis Armstrong version, mostly for Armstrong's part.

Sneer · 11-29-2011, 04:15 PM

I think the thing that really sells the Big Brother version to me is the guitar, which sounds strange considering you have Janis in the forefront belting out a tune almost to within an inch of her life.

s_k · 11-29-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomClancy11

I know I know...

How could I not see that posting.
I was playing that song in the car this afternoon and I thought "got to post that one". It's very summery indeed. I love the drama that's always in Bradley's voice, somehow. I love his voice anyhow, probably one of my favourite voices, ever. And I love the arrangement. It's got all sorts of little things added to a brilliant groove but it somehow manages to keep grooving. It's epic. I love sublime and I love that version of summertime.

SATCHMO · 11-24-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

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 David, 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 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:

**Goofle** · 11-24-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

Why that one?

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.

~~killcreek~~ · 11-25-2011, 12:14 AM

sam cooke version

11-24-2011, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,397	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. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show Last edited by Sneer; 11-24-2011 at 08:15 PM.

11-24-2011, 07:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,397	Why that one? __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

11-29-2011, 04:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,397	I think the thing that really sells the Big Brother version to me is the guitar, which sounds strange considering you have Janis in the forefront belting out a tune almost to within an inch of her life. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

11-25-2011, 12:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
~~killcreek~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: mars university Posts: 132	sam cooke version