What's In Your CD Player/iPod/MP3/Computer/Hi Fi, Right Now?

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:17 pm

Well, I will not deny that Eva Cassidy singing "Over the rainbow" and "Fields of Gold" are both very moving performances, and I do love them both.

Marian

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:05 pm

I agree with Marian that those Eva Cassidy recordings are moving performances, but her Over The Rainbow is far from the best. First off, she doesn't include the opening verse---the best part of the song. NExt she starts out strong but then her vocal quality begins to sound thin and girlish. And at times she changes the melody so much that you can even recognise the song. One time Richard Rodgers or Irving Berlin (can't remember which) stated that he couldn't tolerate jazz musicians changing his melody. He said he wrote that melody for a reason ... why do they feel they should change it?

Sometimes it's fine to slightly alter the melody which Doris Day does in her version of Over The Rainbow. The absolute MASTER in making the most effective alterations in the melody is Matt Monro. Listen to how he slightly changes the melody in Fly Me To The Moon, Stranger In Paradise, For All We Know, and so many recordings. I always wonder if these slight modifications were his own, George Martin's, his accompanist, the song arranger, or the orchestra conductor, or someone else.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:33 pm

Back with us eh Mike

Eva Cassidys version is very beautiful, but when you have a classic song like "Over the Rainbow" I think virtually every artist that covers that song, puts their own particular "mark" on it.

P.S. Mike, the "Wizard of Oz" is a great movie musical. You were probably a little frightened of it in your younger days Mike, which might have put you off it. I found out, that if I was a bit frightened of anything in my younger days, I too was wary of watching it again. The one that springs to my mind immediately is "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" and I'm still a bit scared of it!!!!

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:20 pm

Yes, holidays and training courses over, so bit of catching up going on here!

Interesting and thought provoking comments from Paul, as always. It does annoy me a little when words are changed, and also tempo, so I guess changing the tune significantly it could be annoying. But I think the only way I could listen to 'Over the Rainbow' AND enjoy it is if the tempo was cranked up! And if Matt or Bobby Darin sang it!

I know what you mean about the scary aspect of 'Wizard of Oz' - I don't think its that, although I still worry about the flying monkeys - but more for their own safety! I just find all of the characters annoying, the songs dreary, and the whole film torture to sit through! Give me 'Mary Poppins' or the 'Sound of Music' any day! Or 'Aladdin' or 'Beauty and the Beast' for that matter.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:12 pm

The "Wizard of Oz" is recognised as one of THE best musicals ever Mike, in fact it makes favourite "all time film" top 10 lists all the time. It was a also a very high money making film at the box office. But I know what you mean about the movie Mike. It was made in 1939, whereas "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music" are from the sixties, films from that era were more upbeat and decidedly more modern in nature, when compared to the movies of the late 30's, or early 40's.... ie the songs, film techniques, acting styles, the sets etc.............. But I love movies from that period in time Mike, (30's - 40's)

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:20 pm

Hi Robert - not averse to a 30s Musical - '42nd Street', 'Top Hat', 'Flying down to Rio' etc are all great, and love 40s musicals too - 'Strike up the band' springs to mind, as does 'On the town'. Its just THAT film lol. The 1930s to me were a an age of glamour and style, big ships, new planes, skyscrapers etc. but WoO just doesn't say that! Maybe it was more influenced by the Great Depression!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:55 pm

Hi Robert Mike etc--I think that with those films like "Wizard of Oz" "Meet Me in St Louis" "Singing in the rain " "Easter Parade" etc--a lot of their appeal is nostalgic---and after all how many films of today will be shown on telly at least once a year, in 50 years time!!!

Back to the discussion of "Over the Rainbow" like Paul--I think the best part of the song is the intro, and without that the recording lacks something---when I hear the first line---"When all the world is a hopeless jumble, and the raindrops tumble all around" [a bit like today really!]--but I'm sure that at some time we can all relate to those words-I know that I can. To anyone who has not heard Jane Monheit sing this song, try and listen to it---somehow!! And talking of Doris Day--yes we were!!---Jane does a super version of "Tea for Two"--complete with seldom heard, but beautiful intro. And yes, I know I have mentioned all the above before, but if I can persuade someone to listen to Jane, it will be worth it !!!

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:04 pm

Our preference for female singer Ella Fitzgerald's in this case "Over The Rainbow " is the accuracy of the tone, the phrasing and the vocal range, that's so like most of her music, you can just listen and enjoy, you don't have to listen and detect faults, because generally there aren't any. As far as we know this Harol Arlen album with Ella was the only time that Billy May worked with Ella.
We do agree Marian that Jane Monheits version is superb, and we much prefer it to Eva Cassidy's version, which although had enormous popularity, somehow never really took off with us, but Doris Day's is also a great version.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:43 pm

Hi Lena and Harry--I really love Ella Fitzgerald too--cannot say I have heard her sing "Over the Rainbow" but her "Rodgers and Hart" songbooks
take some beating !!

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:54 pm

Yes Marian the "Rogers and Hart Songbook is just fantastic with Ella.
How often do we come across albums that make it impossible to choose your favourite track. ?? or even tracks. ?? This is an example.
Ella Fitzgerald was in a class of her own.
We also like Sarah Vaughn and Dinah Washington.

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 1:14 pm

Even though Ella's version is pitch perfect and Jane's version is so innovative with regard to improvisation, I must say that only Judy Garland nailed the song's emotional core. Though her voice was shot and she was sometimes off-key, Judy Garland always managed to touch everyone's heart with her live versions of Over The Rainbow at her concerts right down to the very last one in Copenhagen when she was frail and sick. You empathise with her when she sings of hope over the rainbow especially since her life was a mess.
She turns this song into a personal triumph when she hits the final notes "why then, why can't I?".

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 2:35 pm

Hi Terence--I think we will all agree that--love her or hate her---Judy was a one-off!

I just bought a Christmas dvd [black and white]where she sings christmas songs with her children--I cannot wait to see it---but I want to watch it at Christmas time!

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:00 pm

Hi Marian

I have this on laserdisc and it's a charming hour with her children Liza, Lorna, Joe & guests Jack Jones and Liza's boyfriend at that time who is a superb dancer.

You must wait for Christmas to spin the DVD Marian.
It captures the Christmas spirit so well and will bring much cheer to you. Spin it now and it may seem horribly off-season.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:57 pm

It's a great dvd Marian, but I agree, should be watched at Christmastime - enjoy!

Marian.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:32 am

We have a really nice video of a "Family Christmas" with Tony Bennett and it does somehow feel that the only time to watch it is at Christmas.

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