The song of the day for Wednesday, March 11, 2015 is “Where Do You Start.”
About This Song
“Where Do You Start,” written in 1987, is one the great songs from Alan and Marilyn Bergman, with a beautiful melody by Johnny Mandel. This song has had many beautiful recordings: Nancy Lamott, Shirley Horn, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, the Brad Mehldau Trio, Annie Ross and Tony Bennett.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded “Where Do You Start” for his 2004 album, The Art of Romance. It was arranged and conducted by the composer, Johnny Mandel.
The Art of Romance is the album that made me the Tony Bennett fan I am today, and mostly because of this song. I had just bought my first iPod and this was one of the first albums I put on it. I listened to it almost obsessively for months — anywhere from two to four times a day. And now, eleven years later, when I introduce Tony Bennett to someone, I always start by giving them this album. And they always wind up loving his music.
About Today
Tonight, just before dinner, we were listening to an airing of the late Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz program on our local jazz station, KMHD. Today’s show featured the Bergmans and I knew at once that I’d be writing up one of their songs for the song of the day.
Tony Bennett, in talking about his song “The Good Life” said that “The conflict between the two ideas makes it exactly the kind of lyric I love to do.” I think the songs of the Bergmans, especially this one, understand that love is complex and multi-dimensional, even when the love affair ends …
I promise there will always be
A little place no on will see
A tiny part within my heart
That stays in love with you
“Where Do You Start,” as well The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.
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