Sunday 27 February 2022

Ella Fitzgerald - Somewhere Over The Rainbow


One of the world's most beautiful songs, sung by one of the world's most beautiful voices.

Judy's version is the most iconic, but Ella's is superb too, and contains the often ignored verses.

Well done Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, but not so well done to MGM who originally thought the song not suitable for The Wizard of Oz. How wrong they were!

14 comments:

  1. I prefer Ella's who I think controlled her voice better. Judy's is good, but I just feel a little harshness in it at times.

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    1. Judy's is more 'characterful'. She was more actress than chanteuse.

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  2. I have always loved Ella but, for me, nothing beats Dinah Washington singing September in the Rain. To which I once danced on the ceiling.

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    1. Yes, a fabulous song, and singer. I can understand your ceiling manoeuvres.

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  3. I remember with pleasure two concerts with Ella when she was touring with Oscar Peterson in the '60's. Absolutely memorable, I often play her music.

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    1. How wonderful to have seen her. One should always grasp at such opportunities when they arise!

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  4. I love Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's version of this timeless song. It is good that it can be interpreted in many different ways.

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    1. I have seen his version too. He was quite some singer.

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  5. I have always loved this song. It seems a relevant song for the dark times that Putin brought to the Ukrainian people. It is filled with optimism... we all need a little of that right now.

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    Replies
    1. I partly had that in mind. A song for our times.

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  6. The lyrics are superb and the singers equally so..

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  7. I've never heard this version, others, but don't remember who.

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