from RENEE OLSTEAD
Written by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward & Ira Gershwin
Every time Renee Olstead’s outstanding rendition of George Gershwin’s (1898-1937) immortal classic “Summertime” was heard, listen in amazement because the young singer/actress was only fifteen years old at the time she performed the standard. This song was the first released from her 2004 self-titled cd. Olstead’s performance captures her control, technique and a class delivered with disarming ease.
Sure, she was in the capable hands of David Foster and his all-star team, but Olstead’s superior chops were in the spotlight. The Hitman had the great idea to craft the instrumental track with the help of another music legend, revered jazz bassist, composer and arranger John Clayton, Jr., and their work simply oozes genius. That mastery can be heard in the irresistible changes of the totally swinging atmosphere. In fact, Foster and Clayton were rightly nominated for a Grammy Award as “Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals” for their work on Olstead’s “Summertime.”
The stellar backing band included Clayton’s son Gerald on piano, bassist extraordinaire Brian Bromberg and the amazing percussionist Jeff Hamilton. The state-of-the-art sound was courtesy of Foster’s top-notch team of programmers and engineers that included Jochem van der Saag and co-producer Humberto Gatica. Both the albums that Olstead recorded with Foster are chocked-full of great material that was on the same level as the platinum-plus productions Foster did for Michael Bublè.
Rediscover both Renee Olstead and Skylark. Enjoy the astounding singer (Renee Olstead) and Foster’s spectacular studio work on both productions.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Renee-Olstead-Summertime.mp3|titles=Don’t Eant To Dance No More|artists=Renee Olstead]
Lead Vocals: Renee Olstead
Piano: Gerald Clayton
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
Drums: Jeff Hamilton
Bass: Brian Bromberg
Organ & Programming: Jochem van der Saag
Arranged by David Foster & John Clayton
Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica
Lyrics
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy’s rich and your ma is good-lookin’
So hush, little baby, don’t you cry
One of these mornings you’re gonna rise up singing
And you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky
But till that morning, there ain’t nothin’ can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin’ by
One of these mornings you’re gonna rise up singing
And you’ll spread your wings and you’ll take to the sky
But till that morning, there ain’t nothin’ can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin’ by
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy’s rich and your ma is good-lookin’
So hush, little baby, don’t you cry