Soon after her move to Milan, still in her teens, Roberta took third place in a national jazz radio competition on TV, leading to performance opportunities at jazz festivals throughout Italy. She has performed in Jazz broadcasts on the Italian radio and TV channels and recorded since 1986 both under her own name and as a guest. In 1997, she worked with French Hammond organ player Emmanuel Bex, touring jazz clubs throughout Italy.
In 1998 she moved to the United States with a scholarship from the New England Conservatory in Boston. Two weeks later, Roberta stunned many in the jazz world with a third place finish in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition.
Since then, she has performed with Michael Brecker, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Slide Hampton, Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Heath, Hank Jones, Christian McBride, and Toots Thielemans, amongst many others, and has performed at Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Town Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and jazz festivals around the world such as Barbados, London, Monterey, North Sea, Toronto, and Umbria.
A dynamic performer with virtuosic vocal chops, she draws rave reviews and enthusiastic fan support wherever she performs. And shes done so with no hype and to the astonishment of many no domestic releases. Until now: on June 6, 2006, GROOVIN High will release Robertas North American debut, Easy to Love.
http://www.robertagambarini.com/
Over The Rainbow
Roberta Gambarini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a land that I dreamed of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Oh, someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
Roberta Gambarini's version of "Over the Rainbow" is a poignant and beautiful rendition of this classic song. The first verse of the song sets the stage, describing a place that the singer has only ever dreamed of, high above her current reality. The land she describes is idyllic and peaceful, the skies blue and the dreams that people dream of are possible there. This is a metaphor for hope, and the potential for a better future, even in difficult times. The phrase "somewhere over the rainbow" has come to be synonymous with this idea of a better life, and provides a sense of comfort and optimism to many.
The second verse is a more personal expression of hope. The singer longs to escape the difficulties of her current situation and wake up in a place where those troubles are far behind her. She describes this place using whimsical imagery - where troubles melt like lemon drops and the sky is high above the chimney tops. The final line repeats the phrase "somewhere over the rainbow," reminding us that even though this place may seem distant and unreal, it is still worth hoping for and aspiring towards.
The final verse returns to the theme of birds flying over the rainbow, and the singer wonders why she cannot do the same. This may be a reference to the limitations and struggles that she is facing in her own life, but also serves as a reminder that hope and optimism can provide the strength to continue moving forward towards a better future.
Overall, "Over the Rainbow" is a timeless song that speaks to the power of hope and the possibility of a better future. Roberta Gambarini's interpretation emphasizes the emotional resonance of the lyrics, and her smooth and expressive jazz vocals add a layer of depth and complexity to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
In a place beyond our reach, there is a land of imagination and dreams
There's a land that I dreamed of once in a lullaby
It's a distant memory, but I still remember the hope and magic of that dreamland
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In that place of wonder, everything is perfect and peaceful
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Despite doubts and fears, our aspirations can become a reality if we pursue them with courage
Oh, someday I'll wish upon a star
I'll put my faith in the universe, hoping for a miracle
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
I'll leave my problems and worries behind, starting a new journey in life
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
In that magical place, stress and anxiety dissolve like sugar in water
High above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me
I'll be soaring higher than any obstacles or limitations, discovering new horizons
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow
This dreamland is a mystery, but it exists beyond our imagination
Bluebirds fly
Even nature is majestic and magnificent in that special place
Birds fly over the rainbow
They have found their wings and their freedom, leaving earthly boundaries behind
Why then, oh why can't I?
If they can follow their dreams, why can't I do the same, and achieve my full potential?
Contributed by Isaiah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Phillip Butts
One of the greatest interpretations ever! Just Gorgeous!
Dan Dannyt
Classic..
So good