The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: While The Music Plays On

The song of the day for Thursday, April 11, 2013 is While The Music Plays On.

About This Song

While The Music Plays On was composed by Emery Heim (sometimes called Eddie Heim), with lyrics by Irving Mills and Lupin Fein, in 1939. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, this song has also been recorded by Les Brown, Jimmy Dorsey and Anne Shelton.

About This Version

I was reminded today by a Tony Bennett fan on Twitter that Bennett’s recording of While The Music Plays On is an outstanding jazz recording and so it is our song of the day. Recorded for his 1955 Cloud 7 album, this song describes a singer watching his love dancing with someone new:

Oh, what madness to discover
Music still possesses all its charms
As I serenade my lover
Dancing by in someone else’s arms

But I am not allowed to show the crowd
What happens when romance has gone
I must hide my fears singing through the tears
While the music plays on

It’s a beautiful song, sung with great heart and emotion.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2TkGosz6lz6xqUWmTGuRMQ
While The Music Plays On, as well as the full Cloud 7 album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Moment of Truth

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 10, 2013 is The Moment of Truth.

About This Song

The Moment of Truth was written by Tex Satterwhite and Frank Scott. I’ve not been able to find out much about either composer, other than Frank Scott worked with Lawrence Welk and that they wrote the song in 1963. It’s a terrific song and has been recorded by Peggy Lee (or Miss Peggy Lee, as I always call her) and Vic Damone. The Peggy Lee version is very good.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded a performance at the Sahara in Las Vegas on April 8, 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio and an orchestra led by Louis Basil. The performance was recorded by Bennett’s long-time recording engineer Frank Laico and was intended to be released as an album. The album was finally released as part of the 2011 Tony Bennett Complete Collection.

Bennett called the show The Moment of Truth, and the show both opens and closes with that song.  In between is a fantastic performance by Bennett and even a comedy interlude with Milton Berle, Danny Thomas and Mickey Rooney.  I wish I could point you to a location to hear this show, but as far as I know, it’s only available in the boxed Complete Collection. I recommend this concert recording highly.

Today’s version is from Bennett’s 1963 album This Is All I Ask. It has much of the same energy and punch as the concert version, with a wonderful arrangement by Ralph Burns.

http://open.spotify.com/track/39yeBiimbSr3Iimz0ckReB
The Moment of Truth, as well as the remastered This Is All I Ask album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 9, 2013 is I’ve Got Just About Everything.

About This Song

This song was written by Bob Dorough, a bebop and cool jazz pianist and composer. Born in 1923, Dorough served in a Special Services Army Band Unit. After the war, he attended the University of North Texas and then headed for New York. Dorough is probably best known for his work on the 1970s series Schoolhouse Rock. He also co-wrote one of my favorite Dave Frishberg songs, I’m Hip. Dorough still performs regularly near his home in Pennsylvania and he maintains an active website as well.

About This Version

I’ve been listening to a lot of Tony Bennett’s music from the first half of the 1960s the past few weeks, especially his album with just him and Ralph Sharon, Tony Sings For Two, and his 1964 album with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon, Billy Exiner, and Hal Gaylord), When Lights Are Low. I really enjoy hearing Bennett sing with a small combo and When Lights Are Low is a real treat. I’ve Got Just About Everything is from this album. Longer than the average song length at just over six minutes, it contains some nice instrumental work by Sharon, Exiner and Gaylord.

http://open.spotify.com/track/32ne5iCh5B7geOvcX8PQsu
I’ve Got Just About Everything, as well as the full When Lights Are Low album, is available from iTunes.

And, if you’re in the mood, here’s Dave Frishberg and Bob Dorough singing I’m Hip. (Even though this is on YouTube, there isn’t any video, just the audio.)