In case there are, among the readers of this blog, people that have not heard Sly Stone's version of "Que Sera", le voila: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQZNkzP4kYw&feature=related. There's a lot to be enjoyed with this one, and a lot to be learned too. The first thing that strikes me is the phrasing, both by Sly and his sister Rose. For example, it's interesting how the held notes of a multi-syllabic word are always on the last syllable ("When I was just a little..."), and never is the meaning of the words contradicted for a musical effect (Stephen Sondheim would approve). Rose's tone, in both the musical and linguistic senses of the word, is impeccable, and Sly's free-form harmonizing on the choruses is another highlight worth many listens. It's everything a cover tune should be. There may be some as good, but there aren't any better.

By the way, Sly is apparently at work in the studio, which is brilliant news. More info and links to hear some recent work can be found here: http://www.slystonebook.com/.