Song of the Day: Twilight World

The song of the day for Saturday, July 27, 2013 is “Twilight World.”

About This Song

“Twilight World” was written in 1957 by the pianist Marion McPartland, with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Reviewer Ken Dryden writes of “Twilight World”:

Marian McPartland is justifiably proud of her composition “Twilight World,” a song which has long been a part of her performing repertoire and shows up on a number of her recordings, in her concerts, and on a number of her Piano Jazz radio programs. This mid-tempo ballad is one of her loveliest contributions to jazz. It is occasionally performed with a bit of a bossa nova influence, depending upon who (if anyone) is joining her. It also has great lyrics by Johnny Mercer, though it hasn’t been sung often enough. … Of the several versions available by the composer, McPartland’s solo from her Maybeck Recital Hall concert is the most definitive performance.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Twilight World” in 1972 for the album With Love. In spite of the hippyish-Peter Max cover, this album is a real treasure. All of the songs on the album were arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon. This album includes some great music that isn’t heard often enough, like Johnny Mercer’s “Harlem Butterfly,” “Remind Me,” by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields and Bennett’s first recording of “Maybe This Time” by John Kander and Fred Ebb.

http://open.spotify.com/track/0yQvzXVPzajxgGWniXcSsA
“Twilight World,” as well as the full album With Love, is available from iTunes.