Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Over the Rainbow

I would like to hear “Over the Rainbow” as performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

The song is one of those covers that are as good as or better than the original. No disrespect intended to Ms. Judy Garland. I do not care what the people from “Glee” think.

Kamakawiwo'ole’s take on the lyrics is truly poignant in light of his own premature death. His rendition is truly spiritual, questions the meaning of our lives and expresses the transition between life and death.

The greatest part of his capture of the tune and its myriad of meaning is that, in the end, the song is very upbeat.

I believe it might make the survivors cry but leave them all with a smile.

I have no association with Mr. Kamakawiwo'ole, his family or his former record company and have no personal stake in the song. I lived at 81 Warren Street on the day of this tragedy.

I saw the first plane hit the North Tower with my own eyes and did not leave until just before Building Number Seven came down. I suffered no great personal loss and knew only one person who died that day. His name was Captain Patrick J. Brown (FDNY/EMT). When he was younger, Patrick played guitar and actually did Hawaiian Music rather well for an Irish Man. His father, John Brown, a former FBI Agent, was never the same after his son passed. He died without Michael being there.

Both of them were very good people and good to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I

Israel "IZ" Ka’ano’i Kamakawiwo’ole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) was a Hawaiian musician.

Rob Ernst