The Song of the Day for September 8, 2012 is On Green Dolphin Street. My iPod offered this song up to me this afternoon, reminding me how much I love his performance of this song, as well as the song itself.
About On Green Dolphin Street
This song was written by Bronislau Kaper with lyrics by Ned Washington for the 1947 film Green Dolphin Street. The film, based on a novel of the same name, is set in the 1840s and is about two sisters in love with the same man. After having had too much to drink, he writes a letter proposing marriage to the wrong sister. Sounds like a bit of a potboiler, but had a good cast, with Lana Turner and Donna Reed playing the sisters and Van Heflin playing the suitor.
The song soon became a jazz standard after Miles Davis recorded it in 1958. Other than this and Mr. Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Joe Pass, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins and many others.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded On Green Dolphin Street in 1964 for When Lights Are Low. The album was produced by Ernie Altschuler, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Mr. Sharon, Hal Gaylord (bass) and Billy Exiner (drums). The recording was included in the Jazz compilation album, which is available from Amazon and is highly recommended by The Year of Tony Bennett.
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