Patti LaBelle vs. Kimberley Locke | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 51st edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Patti LaBelle and Kimberley Locke contend for the best rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” 

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 51st edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Patti LaBelle and 🎙 Kimberley Locke contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Over the Rainbow”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!  

1. Patti LaBelle, “Over the Rainbow” 

💿 The Spirit’s in It • 🏷 Philadelphia International • 🗓 1981 

It is no secret that 🎵 “Over The Rainbow” ranks among the most beloved songs of all time.  Penned by 🎼 ✍ Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg, “Over the Rainbow” was originally recorded by 🎙 Judy Garland in 1939.  It appeared in the historically important film, 🎦 The Wizard of Oz.  Since then, many, many musicians have covered the standard including the legendary, 🏆 Grammy-winning musician, 🎙 Patti LaBelle. LaBelle has covered the ballad twice (in a studio setting) in her career.  The first was in 1966 with 🎙 The Bluebells as the opener on their album, 💿 Over the Rainbow – an important career moment.  However, it is her 1981 solo rendition from her album, 💿 The Spirit’s in It, that moves me the most.

“Over The Rainbow” in LaBelle’s hands gets a more soulful take. How could it not? Typically, the record is set in either common time or cut time – depending on the notation.  This rendition shifts to a lilting 12/8 meter (Note: it could be notated as 6/8, too).  Where The Bluebells’ takes sounds characteristic of 60s soul, the 80s solo rendition is bigger, lusher, and more sophisticated.  It helps that 🎛 Kenneth Gamble and James Budd Ellison produce 💪. The backdrop – the orchestration – is nothing short of sensational thanks to the rhythm section, lush strings, and rousing winds 🤩.  Of course, the biggest reason for the resounding success of this take on a tried-and-true gem like “Over the Rainbow” is the vocalist herself.  Patti gives us electrifying vocals from the onset. Her tone is exquisite.  She superbly tweaks the melody, making a then forty-plus-year-old song sound brand-new.  When she ascends into her upper register, it’s epic to the nth degree.  The crowning achievement? That huge slide up to that G, of course. The ad-libs are everything on this utterly sublime interpretation of 🎵 “Over The Rainbow” that honestly, deserves far more love ❤️.  There is also a live version which differentiates itself from the studio version from The Spirit’s In It.  

Appears in 🔻:  

• Patti LaBelle, Over The Rainbow: Covers No. 49 (2023) 

2. Kimberley Locke, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” 

💿 One Love • 🏷 Curb • 🗓 2004

The beautiful, talented 🎙 Kimberley Locke excelled throughout the third season of American Idol. Even so, she faced stiff competition against winner 🎙 Ruben Studdard and runner-up 🎙 Clay Aiken.  Regardless, her rendition of 🎵 “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” was among her strongest performances.  She concluded her 2004 debut LP, 💿 One Love, with a soulful take bearing similarities to the Patti LaBelle rendition from 1981.

Interestingly, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in Locke’s hands is a blend of country (just a hit), pop, and soul.  It makes sense – she is from Tennessee.  Also, One Love was released on Curb, located in Nashville, and featuring many country/country-adjacent musicians. The superb backdrop includes guitars 🎸, organ 🎹, keys 🎹, strings 🎻, and horns 🎺.  One thing I ❤️ about the production (🎛 Guy Roche) is how clean and crisp it sounds.  Furthermore, it suits Locke’s artistic sensibilities.  She sings exceptionally well. She shows incredible poise in the verses yet sings with incredible expression.  Her lower register is incredible… So is her middle and upper register.  As the record progresses, Kimberley lets loose, unveiling some fabulous ad-libs.  The best part is the dramatic ending, which bears the most similarities LaBelle’s 1981 rendition.  Of course, Locke takes the riffs into her own hands and shines incredibly bright – “If happy little bluebirds fly (Why can’t I?).” Kimberley Locke puts her foot into this one!    

Appears in 🔻: 

• Kimberley Locke, Somewhere Over The Rainbow: Covers No. 50 (2023) 

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who covered it better – the legendary 🎙 Patti LaBelle or beautiful and talented American Idol standout, 🎙 Kimberley Locke?  Both ladies did a fabulous job with this 🎼 ✍ Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg originally recorded by 🎭 🎙 Judy Garland – PERIOD. BUT there can only be one winner in this Head 2 Head and that is Patti LaBelle. Ms. Patti possesses a once in a lifetime voice, and if she did nothing else, that epic slide up to that high G sealed the deal. 💿 The Spirit’s in It indeed!  

Patti LaBelle vs. Kimberley Locke: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 51 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Curb, Philadelphia International; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]