The song of the day for Sunday, February 2, 2014 is “Long About Now.”
About This Song
“Long About Now” was written in 1962, with music by Fred Hellerman and lyrics by Fran Minkoff. Hellerman was one of the founding members of The Weavers, along with Pete Seeger, who passed away this week at the age of 94. Like Seeger, Hellerman and The Weavers were black-listed due to their so-called Communist leanings. Unable to perform in the United States, The Weavers broke up in 1952. Fran Minkoff wrote several songs with Hellerman, including the anti-war song “Come Away Melinda.” Like many of the songs by Hellerman and Minkoff, “Long About Now” was first recorded by Harry Belafonte.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “Long About Now” in 1963 for the album This Is All I Ask. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns and produced by Ernie Altschuler and featured the Ralph Sharon Trio.
http://open.spotify.com/track/209NqmEJmOwSv6XgCw4HtB
“Long About Now,” as well as the album This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.
Long About Now is a beautiful song. Benedetto sings this beauty with feeling and intensity. Its a song that should have been “aired” by American DJs but seldom was heard. Its a beauty and I am positive that a careful listener will discover a true gem!