My father's favorite entertainer was Judy Garland. I always loved hearing her sing "Over the Rainbow" when I was young. I have to admit, though, now I lean more toward the versions by Eva Cassidy and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. But when I heard Ben Platt sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in 2020 while actress Judith Light told the story of Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg, the composer and lyricist of the song, I was pretty much blown away.
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Every time I go to Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast, I'm treated to some sort of mystical connection to Eddie. The rainbow pictured above, glorious in its fullness, clarity and saturation appeared ever so briefly (45 seconds at the most) just before I got ready to head back to Portland. It was the first time I'd ever seen a complete rainbow. I was overjoyed, and I definitely felt Eddie's presence.
Here are videos of Cassidy, Kamakawiwo'ole and two of Garland.
Oh, and more more: Livingston Taylor's arrangement.
