Summertime (Gershwin)-recordings

Subject: Summertime
From:
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 11:08 PM

I'm heard this song while living in Arcata on Public radio. It's chorus was, I think, "Somertime, and the livings easy.." I've been looking for it.

By any chance Would anyone know the artist?

It was a real 'cool-type' blues singer.

Thanks,

Gil

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Kristin
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 11:28 PM

It's from the musical "Porgy and Bess".

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Big Mick
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 11:34 PM

Hey Joe,

Didn't Perry Como do a version of this? Check your LP collection, willya? *grin*

Mick

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Rick
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 11:35 PM

It was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1935 and was one of the songs in "Porgy and Bess". Check the following page: http://www.sju.edu/~bs065903/gershwin/plays/porgy.htm

The song has been covered by lots of singers but I can't remember the name of the one who did the very staccato pop version back in the '70s (I think). I just heard it recently.

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 02:18 AM

Well, Mick, I was going to make a crack about having a version by Sandi Patti....this may well be the ultimate torch song, and I can't imagine Sandi Patti singing a torch song.

A trip to The International Lyrics Server is a real revelation. Of all the songs listed there with "summertime" in the title, only one is the Gershwin classic - and that one is a variation done by Janis Joplin. There are countless recordings of this song - it's one of the truly great songs of this century, I think.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Barbara
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 11:46 AM

It is also where the title to the 'folkie hymnal', 'folkie bible', or just 'blue book' comes from: Rise Up Singing
The second verse of Summertime begins:" One of these days you're gonna rise up singing, spread your wings, and take to the sky..."
So does that mean Gershwin is folk? I don't care, it's a great song.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Chet W.
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 08:42 PM

I have at least fifty versions. Top favorites: Ella Fitzgerald with Louis Armstrong, and Doc Watson.

Chet W.

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: O'Boyle
Date: 11 Sep 98 - 01:48 AM

I have to agree with Chet W. here. Hands down the best version is Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

Rick

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Sep 98 - 02:01 AM

Rick or Chet - what label is that Armstrong-Fitzgerald recording on?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Chet W.
Date: 11 Sep 98 - 05:33 PM

The Ella/Louis recording is on Verve Records. Surely they must have put it out on cd by now.

Chet W.

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Sep 98 - 07:04 PM

Hi, Chet - I was afraid you were going to say that. The only Ella-Louis recordings I have are on Verve, but I don't have their recording of "Summertime." Verve has all sorts of great stuff out on CD, mostly at budget prices. I've got most of their "Songbook" series, including two by the Gershwins. the Armstrong-Fitzgerald songs on the CD's are "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off." Their offering of "Summertime" is by Helen Merrill, and it's also quite nice.
The Verve "Songbook" CD's have 16-17 songs apiece, and there are CD's of songs by Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Kern, Jobim, Mercer, Strayhorn, Berlin, Gershwin, and Arlen. The "Capitol Sings" songwriter series is a bit more generous, with 20-25 cuts a disc, but I think they're full-price CD's (but I found 'em lots cheaper). The Verve stuff is real jazz, and the Capitol recordings might fit better in the "Vocals" category. I like 'em both, though.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Chet W.
Date: 11 Sep 98 - 10:21 PM

There was a separate (I believe double) album, called "Ella and Louis Sing Porgy and Bess". They did all the songs from the opera. Would be a shame if it were not reissued. It's probably going to be cut up and issued in parts, I'm afraid.

Chet W.

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 14 Sep 98 - 12:08 PM

Barbara, Porgy and Bess was labeled by the authors a "folk opera".

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Sep 98 - 03:08 PM

Be sure to check this thread (click here) for some interesting historical information.
Oh, Mick - I checked my collection and found a Perry Como recording of "Summer Wind," but no "Summertime." Chet, do you have a Perry Como recording for Mick?
The Ella and Louis recording of Porgy and Bess is available, as a single CD or as part of a "Complete Ella & Louis on Verve" box set. I was going to post a link to a clip, but the clips I found just had a little bit of horn and no vocals - the horn was wonderful, though.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Sep 98 - 12:01 AM

Nina Simone also did a nice job on Porgy & Bess along with Pirate Jenny & Mississippi Goddam, been so long since I had that LP don't remember title or lable. Barry

Subject: Does anybody have the words to Summertime
From: Peter Ronson
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 10:53 AM

Summertime when the cotton was high

Please

Subject: Lyr Add: SUMMERTIME (Gershwin)
From: schmuze
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 10:58 AM

Summertime and the living is easy
Fish are jumping and the cottin is high
Your daddy's rich and your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby don't you cry

One of these mornings you're going to rise up singin'
Then you'll stretch your wings and you'll take the sky
But til that morning there's a'nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mummy standin' by

OK? I do it in Am with a little slidy thing up to the third fret, taking finger 3 off, don't know what the chord is but it sounds nice. Bye. Schmuze

Subject: RE: Does anybody have the words to Summertime
From:
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 11:22 AM

thanks Schmuze

Is that all the words ?

Regards Peter

Subject: RE: Does anybody have the words to Summertime
From: SteveF
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 12:21 PM

The song comes from Gershwin's musical "Porgy and Bess," and yes, Pete, them's all the words.

Subject: Summertime
From: SelimSivad
Date: 12 Mar 99 - 09:15 PM

This is such a great resource, I'm very surprized that Gershwin's "Summertime" isn't included. If anybody has the lyrics to this tune, could you send it to [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Summertime
From: alison
Date: 12 Mar 99 - 10:22 PM

Hi,

Here's some links to previous threads about summertime

Lot's of waffle but no actual lyrics

Summertime lyrics

Slainte

alison

Subject: SUMMERTIME
From: NANCY P.
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 05:58 PM

I am trying to locate lyrics to a song called "Summertime" I know a little of the song which is as follows; Summertime, and the living is easy Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high Your daddy's rich, and your mamma's good looking Hush little baby don't you cry. Any help you could lend would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: SUMMERTIME
From: Legal Eagle
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 06:06 PM

Gershwin

Subject: RE: SUMMERTIME
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jul 99 - 06:16 PM

Hi - you'll find lyrics and a discussion of the song here (click)
-Joe Offer (lyrics sent by e-mail)

Subject: 'Summertime, and the livin' is easy...'
From: GUEST,nyborder
Date: 11 May 01 - 12:57 AM

Can anyone tell me what the rest of the words are to this song? I don't know the title or the name of the person who wrote it, but it's a commonly known song.

"Summertime, and the livin' is easy The fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high..."

I really want to get the music for it so I can sing the whole thing rather than just two lines over and over....

R

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Summertime, and the livin' is easy.
From: GUEST,Pdubu
Date: 11 May 01 - 02:26 AM

The next two lines are "Your daddy's rich and your mama is good looking; Hush, little baby don't you cry. A good version of this is Doc and Merle Watson CD titled "Remembering Merle"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Summertime, and the livin' is easy.
From: alison
Date: 11 May 01 - 02:37 AM

heres an earlier thread with the lyrics

if you put summertime in the "digitrad and forum search" box.. you'll find other threads about it too....

welcome to mudcat

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Summertime, and the livin' is easy.
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 May 01 - 02:46 AM

This thread (click) is probably our most complete discussion of the song, but I couldn't find a definitive transcription of the lyrics anywhere. I'll transcribe the lyrics and post them there in a few minutes.
If there is any more discussion of the song, please continue it in the other thread. Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Summertime, and the livin' is easy.
From: GUEST,nyborder
Date: 12 May 01 - 10:10 PM

Thanks everyone! The other thread has lots of info!