Thursday, July 4, 2019

Two versions of "America the Beautiful"

Here are two renditions of "America the Beautiful,"  for July 4th.

The first, which I had not heard until perhaps four or five years ago, is sung by Frank Sinatra (accompanied by a chorus), though I don't know the year of the recording.  I like his version very much.  

It was not uncommon for Sinatra to change certain lyrics, and there is one alteration, near the start of the song. The phrase "above the fruited plain" becomes, in Sinatra's rendition, "above thy fruited plain."  I don't recall ever hearing any singer make this particular change--yet coming from Sinatra, it sounds interesting, and pleasantly distinctive.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0xC9xFuBvo

The second version of the song is by Ray Charles, from a 1972 telecast of The Dick Cavett Show.  Charles's voice, and his piano playing, are, as always, wonderful. There is also, in the background,  a recurring (and very lovely) organ accompaniment.


Happy July 4th!