The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Vieni Qui

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 10, 2022, is “Vieni Qui.”

About This Song

“Vieni Qui” was written by George Simon and Joe Ricardel.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Vieni Qui” in April, 1949 for Leslie Records and was released that year as a 78 RPM single. “Vieni Qui” was released in 2011 on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol. 1. Bennett, singing as Joe Bari, sang with Pat Easton for this number.

“Vieni Qui,” as well as the other songs collected on Rarities, Outtakes & Other Delights, Vol 1 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Undecided Blues

The song of the day for Monday, May 9, 2022, is “Undecided Blues.”

About This Song

“Undecided Blues” was written in 1941 by blues shouter Jimmy Rushing (also known as Five-by-Five, due to his stature). Rushing was born in Oklahoma City into to a musical family; his father was trumpet player and his mother a singer. He started his career as an itinerant blues singer in the early 1920s. He sang with Jelly Roll Morton and other early jazz orchestras before joining the Bennie Moten band in 1929. When Moten died in 1935, he joined the Count Basie Orchestra, which was his home for many years. Rushing with the Count Basie Orchestra first recorded “Undecided Blues” in 1941.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Undecided Blues” in 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The Ralph Sharon Quartet (Sharon on piano; Gray Sargent on guitar; Paul Langosch on bass; and Clayton Cameron on drums) backs Bennett on this album. The vocal arrangements are by Rob Mathes. The album won the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Album.

“Undecided Blues,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Saturday, May 7, 2022, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written by Jule Style and Sammy Canh in 1947 for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists. In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.” Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank, with a wonderful arrangement by Ralph Sharon.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Friday, Mary 6, 2022, is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the 1944 musical On The Town, the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in 1975 for their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, May 5, 2022, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, this song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, with a fine Ralph Burns arrangement. Today, though, I’m choosing his second studio recording from 1964 on the album When Lights Are Low, arranged by Ralph Sharon. This is version is more low-key and introspective than the original. I love both, but felt in the mood for this version today.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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