Here's Hoagy Carmichael's classic, "Skylark" as performed by a young Aretha Franklin.
And here's the same song done by Ella.
It's interesting to listen to the differing qualities these two great peformers bring to the song. I actually prefer Aretha's arrangement, but Ella has that marvelous instrument that nobody, not even Aretha, can hope to match.
And here is a wonderful version by Helen Forrest, the best of the big band singers, backed by Harry James and his orchestra. Forrest is wonderful, but the real treat here is the orchestral arrangement.
I think that this performance by Maxine Sullivan is my favorite. Unfortunately, embedding has been disabled, so you have to go here to listen to it.
And finally, a couple of instrumental versions This is by the amazing Lee Konitz.
Aaaaahhh! That's what an alto sax should sound like. Now for a final treat, this is how Art Blakey and the Jazz Messingers interpreted the old standard as an exercise in bop. Not bad for a kid from Pittsburgh.
UPDATE:
Oh my! I just came across this: "Skylark" done by Andre Previn.
Interesting. Verrrrrry interesting!
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