Added: 3 years ago
From: bankman58
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  • I think that it might be Curtis Mayfield on acoustic guitar. When Jerry left The Impressions to go solo, the breakup was extremely amicable, and Curtis continued to perform as well as to write many of Jerry Butler's hits while he was under contract to Vee Jay. Jerry left Vee Jay to

    go to Mercury Records where he enjoyed his greatest commercial success performing the music of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. He still resides in Chicago, and has continued to collaborate with Sam Gooden and Fred Cash.

  • The Ice Man in his prime.Great song.I believe his brother is playing the guiatar.

  • I just got through having a little choke up. The song takes me back to our childhood home. Me and my brothers in the early 60's wrestling on our front yard as my Dad washed his 1960 Chevy Impala and my Mom was making us lunch. All of us boys with Mom and Dad, Grandparents and all the love and security we had back then.My Dad loved this song. How I miss those great days in Los Angeles back then. It's all like a dream now. I guess one doesn't realize the treasure he has when he's in it.

  • I see why they call him the Ice Man. His voice gives me the chills

  • The one and only.

  • Oh My God! My Dad had this 45. So cool to hear it with all the scratches and pops. LOVE THIS SONG! And I have to agree that Jerry is wayyyyyyyyy the best.

  • ok, lets play the race card. they both did a great job with MOON River. Many black artists have covered white artists and made hits from their songs and I can name many. White artists Harry Nillson, The skyliners, Barbara Lewis etc.

  • great song

  • YOU SYMBOLIZE HOPE

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  • Thanks Bankman. I remember this song from my early teens. I always thought Jerry Butler had the best vocal and Mancini the best instrumental.

    Pete--Louisville, KY

    

  • has to be the greatest crooner of all time.

  • I love your version..... scratches and all

  • you're quite welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

  • Nice talk up:) Great song.

  • THE ICEMAN COMETH! This is the definitive version of the Mancini written classic.

    Unfortunately, Jerry Butler never got his due for this exemplary vocal performance during the 60s, when "race music" policy was still rampant throughout this country on AM radio. Inferior artists such as Andy Williams got the credit at the time. Who remembers Andy's version now? NO ONE! Jerry Butler has endured the test of time. His version is now considered the definitive one.

  • @rotsa1

    That is simply not true. This was the first version that I ever heard, back in 61, when the film came out, followed closely by the Mancini version. In Miami. On AM radio. They were hits at the same time. Once, I heard the two blended together by a DJ.

    I didn't hear the Andy Williams version till several years later, when he used it as the signature song for his tv show.

  • THE definitive version as far as I'm concerned. Precious.

  • There is something about watching a spinning disc playing a great song the appeals to me, great vid!!!!

    Peace and much love to all

  • Jerry's awesome, a very early influence on me.

  • Jerry Butler's incomparable vocals....the western harmonica and guitar....i't does not get any better than this classic...a million thanks for posting!

  • One of the best versions, by the Ice Man, Mr Cool.

  • Jerry Butler the man with the Golden Voice

    I remember playing this in my lowrider...............

  • In the fall of 1961, I think, is when this song came out by Jerry Butler. It wasn't until later that Andy Williams did it. This version is really the original. I know. .....I was "there" and lived it and was in love for the first time @ 16 :) Mmmmmmmm

  • Esa guitarra @ 1:49 hace que se me caigan las pantaletas.

  • Jerry's version of "Moon River" is the only one that hit the Top 40. I had always thought Andy Williams had the bigger hit since that was the one that you always heard on the radio. I loved the instrumental by Mancini too. Jerry truly was the "Iceman". He sang so coooool.

  • To me this is the ultimate version. Eat your heart out Andy Williams. Love particularly the ending of this song. They don't come any better than this version.

    Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA

  • This is a great version but hey, it's not the best...

  • Sorry, but Jerry killed this song. I didn't even know it was a re-make until I read Jerry's musical background. Jerry sounds effortless and puts so much feeling into this song. I especially love when he hits the low note at the end. Simply brilliant.

  • @royalsoulness does Jerry sing the song that start of .....there's a story of beautiful women on an island in the sea? I LOVE THAT SONG

  • Long live the ICE MAN! I like the Andy Williams version as well.

  • The very first time I heard it sung was by Andy Williams. But There was also a version on the raido by Hank Mancini the composer which was basically an instrumental version with ensemble vocal harmony in the breaks. As I recall. When I was a kid and had a newspaper delivery route Mr. Henry Mancini was one of my customers. Whenever I had to go to collect my Mom always wanted to come to the door with me but Mr. mancini never came to the door to pay. He had a housekeeper pay me and with a big tip.

  • My favorite rendition of this song...Jerry hits it out of the park!

  • @MingnonDunn Jerry hits everything he does out of the park

  • 非常に古いラベル〜

    

  • レーベル面がすごいかっこいいなぁ。

  • Thanks !!

    My favourite song.

  • The song was used in Breakfast but not the very best version - Jerry's. I asked them to record Jerry's voice over the bland version or remake the whole movie. This is better than Andy Williams version too because of Jerry's fantastic voice and the gorgeous music, particularly in the middle. I hope they have a non-static version somewhere.

  • I never knew Jerry Butler sung this. I just rented breakfast at tiffinys a few months ago, I'm 41 and I wanted to know what the hype was about..

  • Is this the version that was in the movie?

  • @stevieplez2 In the movie as I recall the song is sung by the lovely Audrey Hepburn. They wanted to have a professional singer cut the track and have Audrey lip sync to it but she refused. She said either I sing the song or you can find someone else for the movie. Also though she didn't actually play the guitar part she had a guitar teacher teach her how to finger the chords so it would look realistic and she did a damned good job at it didnt quite get that beautiful minor7-5 chord but did well.

  • @dennyandpennie Yeah but who was the professsional that sung this originally was it Jerry Butlers version?

  • @stevieplez2 Just realized that the original song in the movie is played in 3-4 time while Jerry's version is done in 4-4. I just love Jerry Butler. Every thing he ever did was great. Wasn't he an original member of The Impressions? Mr Bankman 58 if you read this you might want to post a great song another great singer and one of Burt Bacarach (sp???)very first songs "Any Day Now" by Chuck Jackson. Bacharach also wrote "Little Red Book" by the band Love. Figure that one out if you can-I can't.

  • I heard and or read that Andy Williams' version of this song was not released as a single. Doesn't matter. Even though Andy Williams probably had an overall better

    recording career compared to Jerry Butler, Jerry Butler's version is by far the best.

    Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA

  • Guess I'm in one of those...mahogany...melancholy moods...and hearing The Ice Man sing this kinda takes me back...to `67...and Hawthorne, NJ...& ~ Robyn Lozzi Wherever ye are - God Bless Ye girl...

  • Thanks bankman .. you always have an informative introduction and good taste in musci.

  • This to me is the version which is magical. 

  • and was used in the movie "The In Crowd" 1987

  • Andy Williams version was OK,but this masterpiece by Jerry Butler leaves old Andy in the dust !!!!!!!!! By far,hands down,the BEST version of this song.One of those songs that you can feel the passion in the Iceman's voice..........

  • @borecleaner1 Andy Williams sucks no matter what he sang. The Ice-Man Ruleth..

  • Just spied an old film on TV called "The In Crowd" from 1987. . .

    . . .and they used this version of "Moon River".

    Never heard it before and it's beautiful!

    Thank you for posting this. . .

  • Andy Williams also sings this song and I have compared the two, both are good but I like this one better.

  • I thought there was gonna be a lot of HISSING & CRACKING!

    Great Gain Beautiful Recording!

    I loved Andy Williams also!

  • Love this song, played it as they lowered my father's coffin tear*

  • Best take I know of!

  • Jerry's version is the best!

  • I read a long time ago that Jerry didn't really want to do this song because it wasn't really a 'soul' song. Thankfully, somebody saw the potential greatness that he could give to this. It became my favorite by Jerry.

  • This was by far the best version of MOON RIVER ever sone by anyone, I agree.

  • by far and away the best version, I can't believe radio stations play other artists quite simply when you are the best do not compromise

  • gotta love the iceman...beautiful song love his voice and feel toward the song..

  • Mark Twain. Life on the MIssissippi. My god this is a masterpiece!

  • It was 48 years ago when I first heard this song when `Breakfast At Tiffany's' was the fall attraction at Radio City Music Hall.

    It's been my favorite music tune since.

    Notice how the plaintive arrangement is reminiscent of that in Dee Clark's `Raindrops' on the same label.

    Thanks for this beautiful music.

    Happy New Year!

  • It DOES sound like Raindrops! Boy we had so much good music then!

  • Yes We Did !

  • Neptunesque--great post. Same here when I first heard it way back when. It made me cry then and it makes me cry now.

    None like it.

  • Thank you; When he presented a 'cabaret-style' evening in 1993 in suburban NYC (one the Jersey side), I wondered how emotional it would be to hear "Moon River" live as conducted by Henry Mancini. His show also included of course other movie themes such as "Charade", "Days Of Wine And Roses", etc. and TV stuff like "Mr. Lucky" and "Peter Gunn" themes.

    To show his appreciation of American music in general he closed the program with "The Stars And Stripes Forever".

  • @Cissy2cute

    Also wanted to say that you may read the background story of this song in the book "Love Me Tender: The Story Behind The World's Best-Loved Songs". Here, It is suggested that the actual identity of "Moon River" is possibly in Johhny  Mercer's home state of Georgia as well as the real-life lady who may have served as the inspiration for the character of Holly Golightly.

    Thanks and be well.

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  • Thank you and Happy New Year to you!

  • Jerry Butler's version of "Moon River" is brilliant--the best one of all. It's so great to hear it again. Thanks, Bankman58, for posting it. You bring much happiness to a lot of people who love beautiful music.

  • a Johnny Mercer classic but i love Jerry's rendition

  • para mim essa musica é um classico...me faz sonhar,muito linda.

  • Best version of the song ever made, and one of the greatest songs of all time.

  • This is in 4/4. Andy Williams' was in 3/4. Plus I like this one better -- and it's the Iceman.

  • My favorite version of this beautiful song. It makes me want to cry.

  • How incredible it would be to be living back in 61 listening to this on the radio.

    Re: Simpler Days Carry Lucas on the flip side of Dance.

    Such deep soul and such peace!

  • @trailboyus66 I know that the radio was bangin back then... The radio songs made u feel good and wanna drink LOL

  • What a voice! Jerry Butler is the only Ice Man I know who could melt butter,only Otis Redding could compare

  • Amazing peace music!

  • i luv the ICEMAN from a child when my father played it..may his soul rest in peace

  • And, hey. if you're a big Jerry Butler fan, how about posting his Motown single "The Devil in Mrs. Jones" Down, dirty, and disco!

  • Your prederence well and good. My concern is that alot of great albums of R&B, pop, and standard are being vaulted. The Ben E. King version is noteworthy because it is Ben's version and he does the composition justice. It's like "Blue Moon": The Rodgers and Hart standard was given a radical makeover by the doo-wop group "The Marcels" as you know. No one thought the original could be sung in that manner; Now it's a "classic" Now if you want to get miffed at something, try remixes!

  • For ( tcm036910 ), this is indeed a lovely song. The movie is " Breakfast at Tiffany's ", with Audrey Hepburn. The book was written by Truman Capote.

  • LOOOOOVVVEEE this song! First heard it in a movie, cant recall the name. They only played a little of it but that was all it took for me to fall in love. I made a mental note that i have to find the name of the song. Some years later it came to my mind and the only words i could remember were Moon River, I did a search and eureka i found it. Then i heard the full song for the first time. It just elicits such feelings of love and joy in me and i will dance to this song at my wedding.

  • Was the movie by any chance called "The In Crowd"? A movie about Jerry Blavit in Philadelphia. It's the movie where I heard this version of the song and completely fell in love with it.

  • @333Jewels...absolutely!!! Great movie! Highly underrated flick! Just got back from Savannah, GA, where we own property on "Johnny Mercer Blvd" and this version is definitive Makes ya choke up!!! Driving along the coastal marshes at sunset with this coming thru the speakers is all about Savannah!.....I have often wondered what Mercers opinion of this version was..

  • @packard400 Wow! I  just got chills when I read your message!

  • @333Jewels ..thanks! I appreciate it! We were cruising the squares, and shot down Victory drive.....peak of azalea season....and the moss is hanging off the trees as they canopy over the street....its priceless! Then out over the causeway out to Tybee beach...and this song came on, and it was just so "right"....I'm all for Paula Deen and "midnight in the garden of good and evil".....but thats NOT all about Savannah.......what I just described along with this tune as the backdrop IS...

  • Thank you for this pleasure.

  • Henry Mancini once said that this was his favorite version of his classic 'Moon River.' Mine, too.

  • Reminds me of my late Dad and growing up as a kid in the early 60's Los Angeles. What a precious time it was. I close my eyes to this song and I envision my childhood home and neighborhood. Mmmmm Good times

  • I read your comment and for a moment I thought I wrote it.  Only difference is that I was in Chicago. Mmmmm Good times

  • Great song from a Great movie(Breakfast at Tiffany's)

    This is my favorite version of moon river, sung by Jerry Butler.

  • ...And while we're at it, why don't we give a listen to Ben E. King's version of Moon River? He gives a fresh interpretation of this clasic. The track can be found on "Ben E. King Sings For Soulful Lovers"

  • Fresh interpretation??? the Ice man did it right the first time.....Moon River & Jerry Butler are one.....no other version for me...thanks anyway.

  • I like this version best.

  • This is the song I faintly remember as the origional other then Andy W. and Henry M.

    KTTR 1490AM Rolla played this along with many of the pop hits of the 50's and 60's. They gave me the taste of the first country-rock by playing the late Skeeter Davis.

    Thanks for this song. Anyone got Summer Symphony By Jack Gold?

  • I like Andy William's version, and Dion also did a nice version, but Jerry Butler's is the best , in my opinion. Thanks for posting it.

  • beautiful thanks nana

  • reminds me of mom every time i hear it. jerry was and still is her favorite

  • hi bankman58, thanks for responding ,also " what's so good about goodbye" is another early Miracles hit, but my favorite is " i'll try something new " early motown is hard to beat beginning with Marv Johnson and the Marvelettes, thanks again.

  • hi, yes i have been to the Royal in 1963,64, i lived on linden Ave and i sold newspapers outside of Nates and Leons in 1959,60 ,61, that North and Linden area had everything, movies,shops, etc. this is where i spent my teenage years, thanks again, i also like from 1962 the Miracles "i'll try something new" keep up the good work.

  • Thanks taxiguy1942. I have The Miracles "I'll Try Something New". I'll remember to post that song.

  • great memories from Baltimore in 1962 , thank you so very much.

  • You must have gone to the Royal and then to Nate's and Leon's

  • Thanks for pointing the way back home, this is trully where I reside musically.

  • Andy Williams version is good but Jerry sings his version with deeper tones, which makes his version more pleasant to my ear.

  • thanks for posting this song. I thought that I was the only person on this earth that new the jerry butler song Moon River. i love the violins and voice. Thanks

  • As good as Mancini's instrumental.

    Thank God for Jerry and the person

    posting this gret song.

  • Thank you. While there is a great Andy Williams version, noone tops the Iceman!

  • that's why he is the iceman...

  • Great version by one of the greatest.

    The song is so universal and sung so well by so many artists--Jerry Butler's is surely at the top..

    Still, you an still live Audrey Hepburn's version in her movie w/ George Peppard..

    Thnaks for the posting!

  • the best one

  • hey, this is a great version of the tune. probably the best version. thanks for posting.

    Paul

  • I love this. Thank you so much for posting it.

  • one of my favorite songs, my favorite renditions: jerry's, & audrey's both soulful & so different, his voice, her lack of voice, w. innocence & feel

  • I absolutely love this version by the Ice Man! Thanks sooooo much for providing it!!

  • best version of this song I ever heard

  • Best version of this song, hands down!

  • Thanks for posting. I was going to post this song too. I have that album man. My daddy loved this song. He did not care who sang it. I remember back then, when this song was played, he always asked Mama "May I have this dance"......

  • Hey,that's great. Sounds like you have some great memories from this song.

  • Mannnn this version is better than Andy's! Thanks for posting this one buddy!

  • Andy Williams also did a cover version of that song too. Nothing can beat this over Andy Williams, but Andy's version is way better. I also have the original done by Henry Mancini in my collection. Nice song!

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