Frank Sinatra’s is probably the most famous. George Gershwin composed it. The latest cover I noticed published was by Rickie Lee Jones, and a mighty good one at that.
For me and ladybug, it’s “our song.” (OK, so it’s a lot of couples’ songs, but it spoke to us.)
I did a freedb search to find other versions, and got a list of hundreds… I don’t have the time to review all of them, but I’m looking for one that’s not as down tempo as Frank Sinatra’s version, preferably by a male vocalist.
Well, I jumped onto Rhapsody. Eva Cassidy’s and Gertie Lawrence’s versions weren’t available, so, I’ve nothing to say about them.
But from all the others I’ve sampled, Ella’s is the undeniably best. Linda Rondstadt’s version comes in a very close second. Ella’s version is a bit more bluesy and jazzy, with vocals dominating over the piano accompaniment. Linda’s is smoother and cooler with a full Nelson Riddle orchestration backing her up. Ella’s you listen to and cry to. Linda’s you dance to with that special someone.
As for the others: Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Ricky Lee Jones, Michael Feinstein, Sarrah Vaughan, Elton John… they all suck in comparison. Their voices are thin and warbly and not as full as Linda’s or Ella’s. (IMO, of course.)
There are very few men who cover this song since it was written for a female singer. If you must go with a man, go with Sinatra in his younger years (in his later years he sings flat and glissandos into the last note of every phrase – yuck.)
I like Sting’s version. But I was always a fan of Sting’s voice. I recently listened to Rod Stewart’s version. Blech. Never cared for his singing, but his version of “Someone To Watch Over Me” is simply unbearable.
twickster, I looked over all 993 hits on Amazon for “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and did not see one Joe Williams cover. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t there… I had to slog thru about 80 “various artists” attributions. Do you have an album title, or some better lead? I’m still looking for a better male vocalist version.
And I did listen to about 20 seconds of Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition, and I have to agree, it’s the most powerful. But ladybug said “I thought you were going to find another male version.”
You see, we’re playing one of each. But not back to back.
Other versions found:
Instrumental (orchestra)
Instrumental (piano)
Instrumental (violin)
Instrumental (string guitar)
Klesmer (!!)
Bluegrass
Country
Hip hop
I was really looking forward to Sting’s version, from a recent Grammys Awards, but the clip on Amazon didn’t sound anything like STWOM, so either he took enormous liberties with it, or they linked to the wrong clip.
Thanks for the Sinatra tip, moriah, I’ll look for a younger version of “Young at Heart,” too, since we’re also playing that.
She did an album with. . . I think it was the Nelson Rielly Orchestra? In any case her version also appeared on the “Moonlighting” TV series soundtrack album.
Fan-freakin-tastic.
Its the only song on the cd I even listen to anymore.
Shes dreamy.
Ever since we played it in my high school jazz band, I’ve thought the song works best as an instrumental. On that basis, I really like Sam Pilafian’s version, where the main line is carried by Pilafian’s tuba. The tuba produces such a nice full sound that it’s exactly the right instrument for that song (if it’s played by someone who can maintain tone high in the instrument’s range – which I can’t but Pilafian certainly can).
There is a CD called “London Trombone Sound” which is a recording of sixteen trombones from various London performing groups, and they do a version of the tune with a soloist playing the vocal melody. Being a trombone player myself, I am morally obligated to give my vote to this song. It is VERY beautiful, and the accompaniment is nothing but a choir of trombones, which is a sound to behold in itself.