Porgy and Bess, Jazz and Otherwise...

bostontricky · July-6th-2003, 10:23 AM

Mrs. Tricky was expounding this morning upon the virtues of having a recording of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" around the house for listening, and I concurred. However, there seems to be an incredible amount of versions available and was wondering if any JCers could be of help.

We will probably pick up the Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald album for a good introduction to the tunes, plus neither of us can quibble with Ella's vocals.

Regarding the full operatic recording: We have the "The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection" and it cites a 1975 recording (on London, 3 CDs) from the Cleveland Orchestra under Lorin Maazel, with Willard White and Leona Mitchell.

Anyone?

bluenoter · July-6th-2003, 10:36 AM

If it were me, I'd skip the full operatic version and get an album of the original Broadway cast soundtrack.

Sand · July-6th-2003, 11:08 AM

Magni Wentzel is one of Scandinavia's finest jazz singers who also sings opera and plays classical guitar. She did a recording of Porgy and Bess in 2001 with jazz quintet or sextet. Very good reviews here. Some of the tracks are available for free download

Squaredancecalling Steve · July-6th-2003, 01:06 PM

My favorite is the highlights record of the 50s revival with Leontyne Price, William Warfield and John Bubbles (who played in the original production). It's entitled "Great Scenes from Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess.'" Glorious singing!

Heck, I'm going to go spin it now!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...9813?vi=glance

hornplayer · July-6th-2003, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Squaredancecalling Steve
My favorite is the highlights record of the 50s revival with Leontyne Price, William Warfield and John Bubbles (who played in the original production). It's entitled "Great Scenes from Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess.'" Glorious singing!

Heck, I'm going to go spin it now!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...9813?vi=glance

I wholeheartedly agree, SDC Steve! That sure does seem like a great listen for a hot and sticky Sunday afternoon!

IMO, Leontyne Price possesses one of the greatest (if not THE) voices of the 20th century, and for me this is the definitive version of P & B.

bostontricky · July-6th-2003, 04:39 PM

Just for kicks and giggles, has anyone heard the Cleo Laine/Ray Charles P&B album?

Squaredancecalling Steve · July-6th-2003, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bostontricky
Just for kicks and giggles, has anyone heard the Cleo Laine/Ray Charles P&B album?

Years ago, when it came out. Hated it. Too long ago to remember why. Did they (or just Ray) also do a Guys and Dolls around then? I remember liking that one much better.

bostontricky · July-6th-2003, 07:18 PM

And it's out of print. What little I've been able to dig up suggests

- the highlights with Leotyne Price.

- either the aforementioned Cleveland Orchestra/Willard White full opera, or the Houston Grand Opera version.

- and among interpretations w/lyrics, Ella and Louis and in a different vein, Cleo Laine and Ray Charles.

People's opinions seem to vary wildly about the Bethlehem version with Mel Torme. I like Mel, but...

July-6th-2003, 07:58 PM

IMO the definive "I Love You Porgy" from the P and B suite was by Billie Holliday. It can rip you open.

hornplayer · July-6th-2003, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FredC
IMO the definive "I Love You Porgy" from the P and B suite was by Billie Holliday. It can rip you open.

(imo) then you haven't heard Leontyne Price.

Whatever it is you're looking for, Porgy and Bess is still an OPERA! If you want to pick it apart song by song, then that's not what it is.

BTW: MEL Tormé? singing PORGY??? you've got to be kidding, right???? maybe Joe Williams, but NOT Mel Tormé!

HLJ · July-7th-2003, 12:01 AM

Louis and Ella's version is great and I have that one but for me when I want to hear the music from Gershwins Opera I put on Miles Davis.Peace and all that.

July-7th-2003, 03:31 AM

hornplayer: "(imo) then you haven't heard Leontyne Price."

Then you must not have heard Billie. Price, beautiful trained voice and all, *never* could project the raw emotion of Billie Holliday.
Somehow I would have thought you would have felt that.

As to opera, they are better disassembled, the good good stuff, ie the better arias, taken out and the 90% filler material discarded. IMO, as one who once had taken a Music Appreciation course, (needed what was hoped an easy elective so more demanding tech courses could be taken), with an instructor who *loved* opera, yech , Boris Goudanoff (sp?), more yech!

For Moussorgy, better "Pictures At An Exhibition".

hornplayer · July-7th-2003, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FredC
hornplayer: "(imo) then you haven't heard Leontyne Price."

Then you must not have heard Billie. Price, beautiful trained voice and all, *never* could project the raw emotion of Billie Holliday.
Somehow I would have thought you would have felt that.

I have heard Billie... and she sings that one song the way I'm sure it would've been "felt" -- but she would never have lasted for a whole opera

[/i]
As to opera, they are better disassembled, the good good stuff, ie the better arias, taken out and the 90% filler material discarded. IMO, as one who once had taken a Music Appreciation course, (needed what was hoped an easy elective so more demanding tech courses could be taken), with an instructor who *loved* opera, yech , Boris Goudanoff (sp?), more yech!

For Moussorgy, better "Pictures At An Exhibition". [/QUOTE]

Clearly you are not an opera lover. I am -- though Heaven knows I don't like Boris Goudonov! Thank goodness Moussorgsky only attempted one!