Song of the Day: House of Flowers

25 May

The song of the day for Saturday, May 25, 2013 is ”House of Flowers.”

About This Song

From the musical of the same name, “House of Flowers” was written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Truman Capote. House of Flowers opened on Broadway in 1954. Itl was based on the short story by Truman Capote, who also wrote the book and lyrics.

House of Flowers is set in Haiti in a brothel. A wealthy man has taken a fancy to one of young women who works there. She, however, loves a young man from her village. The song “House of Flowers” is sung by the young man to ask her to come and live with him, even though he is poor.

About This Version

Today’s song comes from Tony Bennett’s composer songbook album: Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, released in 1960. The album was orchestrated by Glenn Osser and featured a lush string orchestra. Bennett notes in The Good Life that the orchestra consisted of mainly classical musicians and that they enjoyed the recording session for this album. He said “That’s the only album I ever made where the musicians actually applauded after each take.”

“House of Flowers,” as well as the remastered Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Just Friends

24 May

The song of the day for Friday, May 24, 2013 is Just Friends.

About This Song

Just Friends was written in 1931 by John Klenner with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis. It’s been a popular jazz standard , including vocal versions by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker and Chet Baker.  The song, both the music as well as the lyrics, seem more modern that most songs written in the early 1930s and for that reason has received interesting jazz treatments  and found itself quite at home with bebop stylings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recording this song for his album with Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett Sings For Two, released in 1961 (even though it was recorded in 1959).  With just Bennett accompanied only by Ralph Sharon, it was an unusual album for that time. This outing gave Bennett and Sharon an opportunity to do a very intimate album. In what must have been a remarkable recording session, Bennett and Sharon recorded sixteen songs in one day and  twelve of those songs are on the album. It is one of my favorites of Tony Bennett’s early albums: two great jazz musicians singing some of the best songs ever written.

Just Friends, as well as Tony Bennett Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

23 May

As Tony Bennett is performing this evening at Davies Hall in San Francisco, the song of the day for May 23, 2013 is I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

About This Song

What can I say? This is one the best songs ever recorded and it helped make Tony Bennett the legend that he is today. And 50 years after he first recorded it, it sounds as fresh and new as it can possibly be.

About This Version

This is the version recorded for the album in 1962. I never, ever tire of it. This song won Tony Bennett his first Grammy Award for Best Male Solo Performance as well as the Grammy for Record of the Year.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco, as well the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco is available from iTunes.

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