Θα μπορούσε κανείς να θέσει το δίλημμα ως προς τους στίχους του Ira Gershwin : Αποτελούν άραγε απόσταγμα σοφίας ή εκπαίδευση σε ένα είδος “αγαπητικής” αρνησικοσμίας – αυτής που θα επικρατούσε τρεις δεκαετίες αργότερα με “απόλυτο soundtrack” το ‘All You Need Is Love’; Θα μπορούσαν άραγε να είναι και τα δυο; Σε οποιαδήποτε περίπτωση ακούμε το classic των αδελφών Gershwin σε τρεις εκδοχές, δυο instrumental – από το μελίρρυτο σαξοφωνίστα Sonny Stitt (00:00) και τον αυθεντικό “piano man” Earl Hines (07:54) έναν από τους μεγαλύτερους όλων των εποχών – και, ανάμεσά τους, την ανυπέρβλητη της EllaFitzgerald (02:43). 🟡 🟡 One could frame the dilemma regarding Ira Gershwin’s lyrics as follows: Are they essentially a distillation of wisdom, or do they constitute a form of education in a certain “loving” world-renunciation – the kind that would prevail three decades later with ‘All You Need Is Love‘ as its absolute soundtrack? Could they perhaps be both at once? In any case, we listen to this Gershwin brothers classic in three versions: two instrumental ones – by the mellifluous sax player Sonny Stitt (00:00) and by the original “piano man” Earl Hines (07:54), one of the greatest of all time – and, nestled between them (02:43), Ella Fitzgerald’s sublime vocal rendition.

The man who only lives for making money
Lives a life that isn’t necessarily sunny
Likewise the man who works for fame
There’s no guarantee that time won’t erase his name
The fact is, the only work that really brings enjoyment
Is the kind that is for girl and boy meant
Fall in love and you won’t regret it
That’s the best work of all, if you can get it
Holding hands at midnight
‘Neath a starry sky
Nice work if you can get it
And you can get it if you try
Strolling with the one girl
Sighing sigh after sigh
Nice work if you can get it
And you can get it if you try
Just imagine someone
Waiting at the cottage door
Where two hearts become one
Who could ask for anything more?
Loving one who loves you
And then taking that vow
It’s nice work if you can get it
And if you get it, won’t you tell me how?”
Just imagine someone
Waiting at the cottage door
Where two hearts become one
Who could ask for anything more?
Loving one who loves you
And then taking that vow
Nice work if you can get it
And if you get it, won’t you tell me how?”