George Gershwin Lawrence Winters Camilla Williams Inez Matthews Warren Coleman Avon Long - Porgy and Bess

Review by Harda Esaraksa

Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin: A Timeless Romp Through Love, Loss, and Lowdown Blues If you’re looking for an album that’s equal parts soulful, theatrical, and just plain fun, Porgy and Bess (2004 reissue on Naxos Historical) is your ticket to ride. This isn’t just some dusty old opera—it’s a rollercoaster of emotions with enough sass and swagger to make even the stiffest listener crack a grin. With powerhouse vocals from Lawrence Winters, Camilla Williams, and Inez Matthews, plus a cast of characters so vivid they could walk right off the stage, this recording brings Gershwin’s masterpiece back to life like nobody’s business. Let’s talk tracks, shall we? First up, there’s “Summertime.” You’ve probably heard it a zillion times before—heck, cats in jazz clubs have been riffing on it since dinosaurs roamed the earth—but Camilla Williams’ version hits different. Her voice floats like honey drizzled over biscuits, warm and golden, while the orchestra sways gently underneath. It’s not flashy or overdone; it’s pure comfort food for your ears. Every time I hear it, I’m transported to a lazy summer afternoon where nothing matters except sipping lemonade and pretending life isn’t out here trying to crush us all. Bravo, Camilla—you nailed it. Then there’s “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” which is basically the musical equivalent of raising one eyebrow and smirking at the world. Warren Coleman delivers this number with the perfect mix of charm and cheekiness, turning what could’ve been preachy into something downright mischievous. The lyrics poke fun at Bible stories, but it never feels mean-spirited—it’s more like sitting around with friends, giggling about how Noah probably got real tired of those animals after forty days. By the time the choir chimes in with their rich harmonies, you can’t help but nod along. It’s clever, catchy, and utterly unforgettable. Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer talent packed into this production. Conductor Robert Russell Bennett keeps things tight as a drum, while Goddard Lieberson’s liner notes give you the lowdown without making your eyes glaze over. And props to Lewis Daniel for the cover art—it’s simple yet striking, kinda like the music itself. Oh, and shoutout to Sadie McGill, whose mezzo-soprano adds depth and texture to the whole shebang. These folks didn’t mess around—they came to play. But here’s the kicker: listening to Porgy and Bess feels less like hearing a story and more like eavesdropping on real people living their messy, beautiful lives. Sure, it’s set in Catfish Row, but the themes—love, jealousy, redemption—are universal. Plus, who doesn’t love a good redemption arc? Porgy might be flawed, but dang if he doesn’t win you over by the end. So, would I recommend this album? Absolutely. Just don’t expect perfection—it’s raw, unpolished, and occasionally rough around the edges, much like life itself. And honestly, isn’t that what makes it special? If anything, it reminds me that sometimes the best moments come when things aren’t tied up in a neat little bow. Final thought: If Crown showed up at my door saying, “Bess, this is Crown,” I’d politely decline his invitation and stick with Porgy. Team Porgy forever.

Download George Gershwin Lawrence Winters Camilla Williams Inez Matthews Warren Coleman Avon Long - Porgy and Bess

Artist: George Gershwin Lawrence Winters Camilla Williams Inez Matthews Warren Coleman Avon Long
Album: Porgy and Bess

Europe

Stage & Screen

2004

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Ha-da-da, Ha-da-da...
Oh, I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'	2:53
Oh, Doctor Jesus	1:30
I Loves You, Porgy	2:15
Oh, I Can't Sit Down!	4:03
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'	2:43
Why You Been Out On That Wharf So Long, Clara?	1:20
Oh, Little Stars	2:38
Honey, Dat's All De Breakfast I Got Time For	4:10
Oh Dey's So Fresh An' Fine	2:14
Oh, Dere's Somebody Knockin' at theDo'	1:31
My Man's Gone Now	3:31
Come On, Sister, Come On, Brother... (Overflow)	2:29
Introduction	1:02
It Ain't Necessarily So	2:43
Good Mornin', Sistuh! Good Mornin', Brudder!	1:42
Oh, Gawd! They Goin' Make Him Look On Crown's Face	1:25
Um! A Saucer-Burying Setup, I See	3:16
You Low-Lived Skunk	1:33
A Woman Is a Sometime Thing	3:33
Oh, Lawd, I'm On My Way	1:34
Oh, de Lawd Shake de Heavens... (Summertime)	3:04
Clara, Clara, Don't You Be Downhearted	3:48
Wake Up An' Hit It Out	3:33
Oh, What You Want Wid Bess?	3:13
Where Is Brudder Robbins?... (Gone, Gone, Gone)	2:57
Summertime	2:30
Oh, Lawd, I'm on My Way	1:21
Bess, This Is Crown	1:43
Here Comes Big Boy!	4:19
Here Comes de Honey Man	4:39
Bess Is Gone	1:38
There's A Boat That's Leavin' Soon For New York	3:34
Wait For Us At The Corner, Al	3:33
Mornin', Lawyer, Lookin' for Somebody?	4:07
You Is A Nice Parcel Of Christians	2:34
Seems Like These Bones	3:40
Hey There! Holt Yo' Holt	2:44
Ha-da-da, Ha-da-da... It Ain't Necessarily So	(4:05)
What, That Chile Ain't Asleep Yet?... (A Woman Is A Sometime Thing)	2:16
Buzzard, Keep on Flyin' Over	2:45
Bess, You Is My Woman Now	4:52
Oh, I'm A-Goin' Out To The Blackfish Banks...	3:02
Oh, Bess, Oh, Where's My Bess	2:30
Oh, The Train Is At The Station...	1:37
'Lo, Bess. Goin' to the Picnic	2:38
It's Porgy Comin' Home`	4:09
How de Saucer Stan' Now, My Sister?	1:51
Ha-da-da, Ha-da-da	1:19
Now de Time, Oh, Gawd, Now the Time	2:53
A Red-Headed Woman Makes a Choochoo Jump Its Tracks	2:34
Dey's A Buckra Comin'!	3:06

Catalog Numbers

8.110287-88

Labels

Naxos Historical

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Formats

2 × CD
Compilation
Remastered

Credits

Role	Credit
Baritone Vocals	Warren Coleman
Chorus	J. Rosamond Johnson Choir, The Robert Shaw Chorale (tracks: 2.23 to 2.30)
Chorus Master	Robert Shaw (tracks: 2.23 to 2.30)
Conductor	Robert Russell Bennett (tracks: 2.23 to 2.30)
Illustration	Lewis Daniel
Cover	Lewis Daniel
Libretto By	Du Bose Heyward
Liner Notes	Goddard Lieberson
Lyrics By	Du Bose Heyward
Mezzo-soprano Vocals	Sadie McGill
Music By	George Gershwin
Orchestra	RCA Victor Orchestra (tracks: 2.23 to 2.30)
Photography By	Fred Plaut
Producer	Goddard Lieberson
Soprano Vocals	Camilla Williams
Tenor Vocals	William A. Glover
Voice Actor	George Matthews

Notes

A complete studio recording of Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess'. Recorded in 1951 by some of the original Broadway actors.

Barcodes

Label Code: 05537
Barcode: 6 36943 12872 5

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American composer, pianist and conductor, son of Jewish emigrants from Russia (born September 26, 1898, Brooklyn, New York, USA - died: July 11, 1937, Beverly Hills, California, USA). Brother of .

Real Name

Jacob Bruskin Gershowitz

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Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the 2004 reissue of *Porgy and Bess* by George Gershwin brought together an incredible mix of talent from different eras? The album features Camilla Williams, one of the first African American singers to perform with a major opera company in the U.S., and Warren Coleman, whose rich baritone added depth to the recording. It also includes contributions from the legendary Robert Shaw Chorale and the RCA Victor Orchestra. What’s even cooler is that the liner notes were written by Goddard Lieberson, a key figure in making classical and theatrical music accessible to wider audiences. This version is like a time capsule, blending iconic voices, orchestration, and storytelling into one unforgettable experience.