it is hard to find a bad version, though Janis Joplin's cover lead to a lot of questionable versions.
The weakest "Summertime" I've ever heard was a doo-wop version by the Marcels (pre-Joplin). It actually starts out fine, but it doesn't change to the major chord (on the line, "so hush little baby..."). That minor-to-major chord change is the meat of the whole song, and the Marcels (or their arranger) just steamrollered right over it.
Same here. To be honest, that blaring horn section heard behind her sounds too stiff to have ever played any blues or R&B, but somehow this LP rises above all that.
Comments
some other versions I like that have not been mentioned:
McDuff's on Getting our thing together
Gerry Olds Trio
The weakest "Summertime" I've ever heard was a doo-wop version by the Marcels (pre-Joplin). It actually starts out fine, but it doesn't change to the major chord (on the line, "so hush little baby..."). That minor-to-major chord change is the meat of the whole song, and the Marcels (or their arranger) just steamrollered right over it.
Big Mama Thornton[/b]
I'd go for Nina Simone, John Fahy, Al Green.
Stronger Than Dirt, a 1969 LP on Mercury.
I celebrate this entire album.
Louis kills it for days. It's the voice.
Same here. To be honest, that blaring horn section heard behind her sounds too stiff to have ever played any blues or R&B, but somehow this LP rises above all that.
Another good "Summertime": Doc Watson.
many copies destroyed in a flood, apparently according to those in touch w/ the label owner.
kidding, kidding
one of his more recent ones
Curfew
Fifth Flight
Love Sculpture
Rebirth
Toy Factory
Featured at the end of this playlist:
So good
I got this 45 a couple months ago and was pretty blown away! It's like a funeral dirge.
R.I.P. Hansi!
Modern Jazz Quartet has a nice version.
Peace,
Big Stacks from Kakalak
i can find zero videos of it online...but this early Azymuth-project version is fantastic!