"Summertime" by Joni Mitchell

I am absolutely blown away by Joni Mitchell's (previously here) voice in this excerpt from her all-star concert tribute when she received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. It sounds as if, miraculously, she has shaved thirty years off her voice...and considering the harrowing health issues she has been through the last several years, this is especially wonderful to hear. Long live Joni!

PBS stations will broadcast the concert — “Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song” — at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 31 (check local listings) and on PBS.org and the PBS App as part of the co-produced Emmy Award-winning music series. It will also be broadcast to U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world via the American Forces Network.

Mitchell got her start performing in coffee shops and nightclubs in her native Canada and would go on to become an icon among music makers, setting a new standard marrying music and lyrics. With such songs as “Both Sides, Now,” “Chelsea Morning,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock” and “The Circle Game,” Mitchell became a household name.

Mitchell redefined the role of women musicians. She oversaw all aspects of her albums, including songwriting, arrangements, performance, production and artwork. Her sound crosses musical genres from folk to jazz, classical and rock, and she continues to inspire her fellow artists.

Mitchell is also a talented painter, creating the cover art for many of her albums, and her visual art will be featured prominently in the tribute concert, along with her music.

“I’m a creative person. I like the creative process,” Mitchell said. “I’ve been a painter all my life. I’ve been a musician most of my life. If you can paint with a brush, you can paint with words. … It’s a great honor to join the pantheon of recipients.”

Bestowed in recognition of the legendary songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin, the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is the nation’s highest award for influence, impact and achievement in popular music. The honoree is selected by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with a board of scholars, producers, performers, songwriters and other music specialists. Previous recipients are Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, songwriting duo the late Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, and Lionel Richie.

https://jonimitchell.com/

"Summertime" by Annie Lennox

I have been a huge fan of Annie Lennox ever since she and Dave Stewart burst on to the scene as Eurythmics. I saw their very first tour here in the United States in 1983 and witnessed first hand Annie's glittering, ferocious live persona (one reviewer at the time called her a "hissing, spitting wild cat" on stage!). Over the years she has only become more masterful and in control. She may have mellowed a bit but she has lost none of her intensity.

So I was thrilled when a dear friend gifted me for Christmas Annie's newest release, "Nostalgia," a collection of jazz and vocal standards. Now, lest one think that this is a Linda Ronstadt moment slavishly trying to recreate the sound of a bygone era, or even worse, a Rod Stewart moment trying to play to a demographic who will coo and sigh over these songs because a younger generation won't listen to you anymore, Annie's release is a glorious collection of songs interpreted by a master vocalist. She explores these songs and their meanings exactly the way the greats--Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald--used to, with open emotions and open heart. Annie is not trying to recreate a sound or an era with these songs, she is simply feeling and singing them. Which is pretty stunning.

And I think possibly the most stunning song of all on "Nostalgia" is the touching, painfully melancholic "Summertime," the 1935 Gershwin song written for "Porgy and Bess." I have a soft spot for this song... I grew up hearing my mom sing this. And in fact, I have a recording I made from an original 78 vinyl record of my mom, at sixteen years old, singing this song with a lone piano. She made the recording, along with a few other songs, when she was auditioning for talent shows and bands. Annie's poignant, insightful version is sweet agony.

http://nostalgia.annielennox.com/