March 16, 2010 8:17 AM
Blue Skies - by Irving Berlin
Being sung at our house these days. First sung by Ben in a show when he was 12 or so, part of Maddy's repertoire and now being sung by Daniel's chorus at school.
We were very blessed in California with a local theater company - Cinnabar Theater - that made a priority of offering kids a rich musical heritage, including early 20th century American music of all genres. So our kids got a healthy dose of songs like Blue Skies, composed by Irving Berlin just a few years before the 1929 stock market collapse.
What do you think? I'm struck by the poignancy of the cheerful lyrics on top of a decidedly wistful melody.
Frank Sinatra:
Bing Crosby, from the 1946 movie:
Ella Fitzgerald - not my favorite version, but does this woman have the best voice in the world or what? Maddy told me she was the first woman to scat sing
Willie Nelson:
The Muppet Show warning: this is 2 minutes and 26 seconds of your life you will never get back :) - but maybe your kids would like it:
Other versions:
Eva Cassidy (amazing, as always)
