The song of the day for Saturday, March 30, 2013 is Spring Is Here.
About This Song
Spring Is Here was written in 1938 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the film I Married an Angel. In his discussion of the score for I Married an Angel, Alec Wilder says “and in the same score is another shattering ballad, Spring is Here” and “the lyric is Hart at his best, including the closing line: ‘Spring is here, I hear.'”
The lovely simplicity of Rodger’s tune aptly supports Hart’s lyrics. The combination is an exquisitely poignant ballad with the lonely singer looking at Spring from the outside.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded Spring Is Here in 1973 on his first album for his Improv label, Tony Bennett Sings 10 Rodgers & Hart Songs, which was followed by Tony Bennett Sings More Great Rodgers & Hart. Both albums are available on CD as Tony Bennett Sings the Rodgers & Hart Songbook.
Bennett chose to work with the Ruby Braff-George Barnes Quartet, which consisted of Ruby Braff (cornet), George Barnes (guitar), Wayne Wright (guitar) and John Guiffrida (bass). All of the recordings from this quartet of Rodgers and Hart songs are exceptional and this relatively unusual combination of instruments (no piano!) with these great songs and Bennett’s voice make for a wonderful album. I think this is one his finest recordings.
http://open.spotify.com/track/0ALVIr2zoYiVLKLsZkVpnn
Spring Is Here, as well as the full Tony Bennett Sings The Rodgers & Hart Songbook, is available from iTunes.
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