SUMMERTIME * BILLY STEWART * CHESS 1966 * USA
With the well-known lyrics and melody, Summertime is probably one of the most covered song on the world; there are more then 2600 known covers. Composed by George Gershwin for the opera Porgy and Bess, the text of the song was written by DuBose Heyward in 1924. In the original production at the Guild theater Diahann Carroll, in a supporting roll, sang the song first as a lullaby. On this version, arranged by Phil Wright with a funky and brassy big sounding backing, the sensational Billy Stewart gives his voice full reign from the opening acrobatics to the clamorous Jazzy ending.
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