Feature Song: “Summertime”
“Summertime” is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. They lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel, Porgy, on which the opera was based, and Ira Gershwin. The song soon became a popular and much-recorded jazz standard, having been described as “one of the finest songs the composer ever wrote.” Gershwin’s highly evocative writing “brilliantly mixes elements of jazz and the song styles of African Americans in the South-East United States from the early twentieth century.”
Gershwin began composing the song in December 1933, attempting to “create his own spiritual in the style of the African American folk music of the period.” The song is sung several times throughout Porgy and Bess. Its lyrics are the first words heard in act 1 of the opera, following the communal “wa-do-wa.” It is sung by Clara as a lullaby, and then ‘is reprised soon after as a counterpoint to the craps game scene, in act 2 in a reprise by Clara, and in act 3 by Bess, singing to Clara’s now orphaned baby after both parents died in a storm.’ The song was first recorded by Abbey Mitchell in July 1935, with George Gershwin playing the piano and conducting the orchestra. Heyward’s inspiration for the lyrics comes from the southern folk spiritual-lullaby, “All My Trials,” having Clara sing a snippet of it in his play Porgy.
My chosen cover may come as a bit of a surprise, given the many great versions of this song over the years, but when I first heard this cover, it was also my introduction to this extremely talented blues guitarist and vocalist, Joanne Taylor Shaw (1985), and I was completely blown away. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve listened to it since I first heard it. I have since listened to every one of her releases, and I can’t help getting the feeling when I listen to some of her vocals that she is in some way channeling the late, great Janice Joplin, which is very fitting, as Joplin does a cover of this song as well. They are by no means the same, and Shaw’s Joplinesque vocals are more apparent in other, original songs, but every so often there is a phrasing, which makes me go hmmmm. Also, she can “shred” with the best of them.
Taylor was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16. In May of 2009, she released her debut album, White Sugar, going on to win Best Female Vocalist (2010) at the British Blues Awards, winning it again in 2011 along with Songwriter of the Year award for “Same as it Never Was,” from her second album, Diamonds in the Dirt.” Her 2021 release, The Blues Album, topping the charts at No.1, was released via Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive Records. Taylor’s cover of “Summertime,” is, in fact, a live performance from her 2022 Album, Blues From the Heart Live, which also features Bonamassa on guitar.
Enjoy!
Porgy & Bess. “Summertime.” Clara played by Paula Ingram (sung by Harolyn Blackwell), with the London Philharmonic conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and Glyndebourne Chorus. From the 1989 recording of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera version of the George Gershwin opera of the same name. The recording was used for the 1993 television adaptation of Porgy and Bess.
As I mentioned above, the song went on to become a much-recorded standard, and I would be remiss if I didn’t provide some of these versions from a few of my favorite female vocalists. So, here you go, from opera to the blues, and everything in between. You’re welcome.
Billie Holiday. “Summertime” cover 1936.
Ella Fitzgerald. “Summertime” cover 1957.
Janice Joplin and The Full Tilt Boggie Band. “Summertime” cover. Live, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1970.
Joanne Shaw Taylor. “Summertime” cover featuring Joe Bonamassa, live 2022.
Los Angeles 2024
“Summertime” is such a marvelous, iconic song, it’s no wonder it’s been, and continues to be, covered so often. My favorite is the one by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, but the version by Joanne Shaw Taylor featuring Joe Bonamassa is tremendous, thanks to their superb guitar work. I don’t believe I’ve previously heard Janis Joplin’s version, but it’s pretty amazing as well. Great post Irwin!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. As you say, it is an iconic song!
I have probably listened to well over 100 versions of this song and I had no idea Janis Joplin sang it. I agree there’s some inspiration from that in the Joanne Taylor Shaw take which is incredible. She is new to me also!
Loved all of these!