The song of the day for Tuesday, April 18, 2017 is “Old Devil Moon.”
About This Song
“Old Devil Moon” was written for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”
About This Version
Today’s recording of “Old Devil Moon” is from Tony Bennett’s first LP album: Cloud 7, released in 1955.
Cloud 7 was the album that he had wanted to make–a solid jazz long-playing album with a solid group of jazz musicians. Jazz critic Thom Jurek said that “The mood is nocturnal, elegant, amorous, hip.” As a first album by a young singer (Bennett was not even 30 when he made Cloud 7), it’s a remarkable album that defined Bennett not only as vastly popular singer, but a jazz artist with impeccable taste and true vision of his own artistry.
“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.
I enjoy your site. Bought my 1st Bennett LP in ’66 – “A Time For Love”. I recall muscling my way into the student union TV room and insisting we all watch him on Ed Sullivan. Will “On the Glory Road” be released on LP or CD someday? //// One of my favorite tracks is “Stella by Starlight” from “My Heart Sings”. All the best,
Thanks, William. I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying the site! On The Glory Road is available to download from iTunes, but other than its inclusion in the Tony Bennett Complete Collection, I don’t think it will be released separately on CD or LP.
Suzanne