Della Reese "Summertime" on The Ed Sullivan Show

[@paanne1013]

Every Sunday night my family would sit down and watch the Ed Sullivan Show. I must have watched this episode and never expected to see her on Touched by an Angel many years later and love her so dearly. Watching this video makes me love her even more. What a true talent she was.

[@KajiVocals]

That's some strong belting.

[@garytomes3015]

So much talent in that voice!

[@cassdaley2652]

It’s so refreshing to hear a different and upbeat rendition of this song. It’s usually sung in a gloomy and dark tone, so this one was refreshing.

[@evonza4858]

That's true sometimes but you should hear Della's friend Sam Cooke sing it🥰❤️🖤💚

[@melv5566]

Coming from an African American this song could be a disco edit and it would still feel deep because it’s a song of fact we have rose up singing. And have taken to the sky and nothing can harm us because our ancestors have us in their arms . It’s more so of the importance of the song that’s makes it popular I don’t really care for the melody but it’s meant to give a reality check to white people to let them know they can harm us all they want we will ride the next morning singing. Hahah the line summertime was when a lot of the killings and lnychings would only happen for FUN SO ITS IMPORTANT mind you we worked in the fields during summertime and a lot of us were reluctant to so a lot of US DIED. I’m his song sheds blood no matter the tempo or melody

[@ivangranger8494]

@@evonza4858 Sam’s arrangement is my most beloved version, of this song. However, this is right up there, with Della’s unique, rendition. I needed this, today. ✨🕊✨

[@ivangranger8494]

@@melv5566 ‘Summertime,’ was written by George Gershwin for the show Porgy and Bess, and was written in the Jazz style, as Della sings, here. No one, was being lynched. Do you have any message for the Africans that enslaved their own and sold their own as a commodity, with the help of the Pygmy tribe?

[@My2CentsYall]

Flawless no back up singers no sound fillings or lip sync just 100% talent!

[@tylerlordhamilton252]

Watch this and you will know why I love The Rev. Dr. Della Reese and would want to be reincarnated as her! I met The Rev. Dr. Della Reese at her UP CHURCH in beautiful Los Angeles one Sunday, talked with her and will never forget her appeal, class and love for Christ Jesus. I was introduced to her by John Downey III.

[@mikevallen999]

Della Reese....always so classy....a first class talent indeed ❤❤

[@allenb4759]

That's how I remember it....it's an upbeat happy song 🎵. The way people sing it today sounds like it's a sad song. 😥

[@kade82]

I think in the context of Porgy and Bess, it is supposed to be a slow, mournful song because it reflects the reality of the story. Here, Miss Della Reese is able to inject optimism as it has been removed from the original setting. I had never heard such an upbeat cover of the song until now. I like it!

[@jadezee6316]

@@kade82 of course you are right...i dont dislike it..but she is certainly not the singer that say Ella was who sings it slow

[@johngiovine8792]

Della Reese is one of my all time favorite singers!

[@barbaraannhenderson9049]

She really was great !!!

[@melliemel32]

Miss Della was doing her thing! She really had a belting voice! I knew she sang, but this is the first time I’m looking up her performances...good stuff. I also loved the A-line and sweetheart neckline dresses of the 50’s...so classy!! Get it Miss Della! ~~JESUS is LORD~~

[@SadeWithTheReceipts]

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL! The song and you Madam Della Reese. WOW! And @1:40 I was like, "ALRIGHT NOW"!! Yess! And that humming was lovely. Madam Mahalia Jackson taught you very well. Madam Della's enunciation is just so perfect with every word, note, and key. I am only now seeing this on 5/11/2023 at 3:30 a.m. Much love from Central Florida :) Thank you for sharing this gem with us.....

[@josephsboy4805]

I've never heard that song sung at that tempo it gives a whole new vine to the song, makes u smile

[@datetley]

Amazing voice and unique phrasing

[@lindawilliams8715]

MS. DELLA REESE was one of the original African American singers to headline in Las Vegas in the 50s and 60s. Many artists today stand on Ms. Reese's shoulders for her contribution to entertainment. Thank you Ms. Reese and R.I.P. 🙏💖

[@pauluspetrus218]

amazing -she is a giant. Best version i ever heard.

[@BarekHalfhand]

I was watching Harlem nights a little while ago and decided to look into Della Reese... I'm absolutely astounded by her talent 🤟

[@brilappin9442]

I love Della. What a beautiful woman ❤️

[@plasmakatana8291]

I 1st heard Della Resse sing in the Touched by an Angel TV show back in the 90s-00s. I love her singing & acting, & had never heard her sing in her younger years until now

[@maraschinomachine5693]

What a voice!!!

[@LittleJimmie1999]

Happy birthday heavanly birthday Della 🕊️ 🎂.

[@travisjohnson5978]

She was such an original ❤️

[@richardgornalle4536]

Many thanks for this clip. I still have many of her vinyl albums including "Right Now" and her Classical album. Totally unique sound and style.

[@paatty153]

I like this version.

[@franksinatraalvesprates9933]

60 years ago.

[@OGStarlightKY]

I love this version more than the original. This one gives me hope and puts me in a good mood ❤

[@bh5606]

Loved her.

[@LazyIRanch]

Ms. Della sure had some pipes! I love her swinging version of this classic. "You're Poppa looks just like Harry Belafonte!" 😍 "Poppa" must have been a real looker, because Harry was mighty fine. Hmmm, I'm feeling blue today, I think I might just need to listen to Harry's Carnegie Hall performance, again. That usually does the trick!

[@jadezee6316]

lol...children do not always get their looks from their parents....in fact truly handsome men and beautiful women are nearly always better looking than their parents....

[@melliemel32]

Also the love of Jesus Christ lifts me everytime!!

[@FLG232]

Brilliant Della

[@derekcrockett6214]

Swing Sister, Swing!

[@MyDadsCousin]

🔥song

[@JaySmith-mz7vg]

I wonder who arranged this because the lyrics & the placement of them in this version is definitely different besides the tempo. "Mammy & Pappy" was substituted for "Ma" &" Daddy"& they were also said in the reverse order unlike every other version I've ever heard.

[@sloanbj]

holy cow! what talent

[@prayalways]

🔥🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾👆🏾🎶🎶

[@lindahines9380]

I didn't know she was born in detroit!🙃🙄🙃Detroit! she was 30 years old here

[@wassawseesaw44xliv4]

❤

[@SDSFG45]

before anyone knew anything about a Phyllis Hyman or Lalah Hathaway or Rachelle Ferrell...there was Della. We're always standing on the shoulders of those that blazed a trail for us. Mrs Reese once said in an interview that she was among a small group of black entertainers that, LITERALLY, opened doors for black performers, in Vegas during the 50s. There were barely two handfuls of them, then. Her and Lena H and Sarah V, and Ella and Carmen McCrae, and Sammy Davis and Nancy Wilson and Nat King Cole and Redd Foxx, and B. Cosby and Diahann Carroll and Billy Eckstein and barely a few others.

[@DavidTrejo]

wow. 😮🥹

[@muzickolchers968]

This is a true contralto.

[@francheskadeguzman298]

I’m here after a that’s so Raven episode.

[@jeremyechols6828]

just watched it

[@TeaParty1776]

I was really bummed out when Della Reese left jazz for acting.

[@mariehernandez5878]

Oh, if my pappy looked like Harry Belafonte!

[@jadezee6316]

upbeat version.....suits her style and voice......but wont give any competition to the slow versions of say Ella or Carmen...or Nat....as a few examples

[@trapstarbari9202]

First l