The song of the day for Thursday, June 12, 2014 is “Just Friends.”
About This Song
“Just Friends” was written in 1931 by John Klenner (music) and Sam M. Lewis (lyrics). The first recording was in 1931 by Red McKenzie, but the song became popular in 1932 when Russ Columbo recorded it. Notable recordings throughout the years include those by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Chet Baker and Charlie Parker. It ranks #85 on jazzstandards.org.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded this song, as well as several others, in 1964 with an extraordinary group of jazz musicians: Herbie Hancock (piano), Elvin Jones (drums), Ron Carter (bass) and Stan Getz (tenor saxophone). The results were fantastic.
http://open.spotify.com/track/0FKdZzcnDnHfHg0FyNkGCA
“Just Friends,” as well as all of the songs collected on Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights, Vol. 1, is available from iTunes.
Please feel free to leave a comment