Sergio Vellatti - Ol' Man River (Showboat)

REQUEST: "Ol' Man River" (music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II) was a popular song written for the 1927 musical "Show Boat", that contrasts African American hardship and struggles of the time with the endless, uncaring flow of the Mississippi River, from the view of a dock worker on a showboat.

The most famous rendition of it, one that is still noted today, was sung by Paul Robeson in James Whale's 1936 film version of "Show Boat" (Robeson had first performed the song in the 1928 London production of the show and in the 1932 Broadway revival, and had even recorded it with Paul Whiteman's orchestra back in 1928). Many musicians and musical groups have covered the song, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Al Jolson, Ray Charles, Jim Croce, and The Beach Boys and it is considered an American classic. William Warfield sang it in the 1951 film version of "Show Boat", another rendition which became very famous. (It became his signature song, and he performed it several times on television.) Famous bass singer of The Temptations, Melvin Franklin was known to sing this at most concerts, and it eventually became his signature song, as well. Judy Garland, one of the few female singers to attempt the song, sang a powerful rendition of it on her television show in 1963, and also recorded it.

Here is my humble attempt at this powerful, broadway chart. I hope I do it justice and I hope that you all enjoy it!

Thank you for watching! Much appreciated! : )

Category:

Music

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