[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 69, Issue 55

[Michelle LeFree <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Smoky Joe sez:
> Speaking of which, the very best version of 'Over the  
> Rainbow'?...ever?.......... Harry Nilsson (movie 'You've Got Mail')
> smo-joe     :0~
>
>   
Hmm. I was letting the "Rainbow" discussion fade into harp-l archive 
history as it was dimininshing in its harmonica content. I am speaking 
up now because I have to disagree wichya here, SmoJo old buddy, even 
though Harry Nilsson is one of my all time favorite singer/songwriters.

Back when the thread was still alive, I was a bit surprised that no one 
mentioned Isreal Kamakawiwo'Ole's exquisite version of "Somewhere Over 
The Rainbow." For those unaware of "Iz," he was a 600 lb native Hawaiian 
who achieved local superstar status on the islands for his evocative 
songs and moving performances backing himself with a ukulele, which 
looked absolutely ~tiny~ in his hands. 

I prefer even more his medley of Rainbow and "It's a Beautiful World," 
made famous by Louis Armstrong. I find that song absolutely 
spellbinding. I never tire of listening to it. BTW, it graced the sound 
track of the fine movie, "Finding Forrester," which I also recommend

There are a number of Youtube versions of Iz's Rainbow. I couldn't find 
one of the medley. You have to be careful as I did find versions 
claiming to feature Iz in which people laid their own sound tracks over 
videos of Iz.

There's little question in my mind as to which artist "owns" Rainbow.

Michelle