Somewhere Over the Rainbow - jazz: In my opinion, here are some of best recordings of the iconic tune. I'm sure there are many others. Want to add your favorite? Enjoy, Mark Judy...

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

In my opinion, here are some of best recordings of the iconic tune. I'm sure there are many others. Want to add your favorite?
Enjoy,
Mark

Judy Garland - https://youtu.be/U016JWYUDdQ

Sarah Vaughn: http://www.jazzonthetube.com/page/257.html

Joey Alexander: https://youtu.be/_1liUart72g

Keith Jarrett: https://youtu.be/eq0EWNuR1H8

Chet Baker: https://youtu.be/voZSr_yWaeU?list=RDvoZSr_yWaeU

Dave Brubeck - age 90? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLYi547vp_4

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

markngolf wrote:

In my opinion, here are some of best recordings of... (show quote)

Here's my favorite, Mark - the late Eva Cassidy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

I don't care what anyone thinks. Judy Garland did the first and the best performance of "Over the Rainbow" ever, and I don't care how hard anyone tries to outdo her, they just won't make it. I saw the movie when it first came out, and it was one of my favorites. I don't particularly care for the Piano because it sounds so basic when played solo. The Accordion is my favorite musical instrument if played right. After that comes the Banjo.

msicman692

Judy Garland is hard to beat, IMHO. What a great classic song.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I can see why it is your favorite. Fabulous!!
Mark

DWU2 wrote:

Here's my favorite, Mark - the late Eva Cassidy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Piano basic?? Accordion and banjo? We have very different musical tastes. Judy Garland's rendition was fantastic. I agree. I saw the movie too. Wonderful!
Mark

shelty wrote:

I don't care what anyone thinks. Judy Garland did the first and the best performance of "Over the Rainbow" ever, and I don't care how hard anyone tries to outdo her, they just won't make it. I saw the movie when it first came out, and it was one of my favorites. I don't particularly care for the Piano because it sounds so basic when played solo. The Accordion is my favorite musical instrument if played right. After that comes the Banjo.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

markngolf wrote:

I can see why it is your favorite. Fabulous!!
Mark

Her version reached #1 on the UK charts back in '98.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

Yes, each one of us has a different taste in instruments. My son plays base guitar for a group here. I like guitar but favor the other instruments.

msicman692

I think Judy Garland set the bar on this one and everyone else who has come along after her and recorded it has tried to live up to her performance. The bar was set pretty high. Granted, we have made great improvements in the recording process since the original was recorded, but Judy Garland really was that good. No auto tune for her.

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

DWU2 wrote:

Here's my favorite, Mark - the late Eva Cassidy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY

She's a wonderful singer, beautiful voice. Too bad she passed at 33 years of age, she would have had a terrific career in singing. There are now two versions of this song that I like, one is an Hawaiian singer who's name I can't pronounce and now Eva Cassidy. Thanks for posting her song.

Rich

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

markngolf wrote:

In my opinion, here are some of best recordings of... (show quote)

Thanks for the memories and links. My favorite is the combo from Iz...... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z26BvHOD_sg

chienfou Loc: Valley Stream, NY

richosob wrote:

She's a wonderful singer, beautiful voice. Too bad she passed at 33 years of age, she would have had a terrific career in singing. There are now two versions of this song that I like, one is an Hawaiian singer who's name I can't pronounce and now Eva Cassidy. Thanks for posting her song.

Rich

Rich, we both like the same two versions of this song. The hawaian singer is Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole. He passed away in 1997. Here is his version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

As I listen to the current crop of music performer, I almost always wonder "where is the melody & harmony and where are the poetic lyrics." OP has listed just a few of the old masters. One of my favorite old music books is Joel Whitburn's listing of stuff hitting the pop charts for 1940 to 1954.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I've had that recording in my music files for many years. I think I originally downloaded it from Limewire, the P2P site. His recording was part of the soundtrack of "Finding Forrestor". https://youtu.be/OvVFh3xgx7Y
Mark

chienfou wrote:

Rich, we both like the same two versions of this song. The Hawaiian singer is Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole. He passed away in 1997. Here is his version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

markngolf wrote:

I've had that recording in my music files for many years. I think I originally downloaded it from Limewire, the P2P site. His recording was part of the soundtrack of "Finding Forrestor". https://youtu.be/OvVFh3xgx7Y
Mark

Oh, that's that big fat Hawaiian "Iz" Kamakawiwo'olez. He give a nice rendition - but? Otherwise he seems to be quite popular though.