The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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1962

You should all know by now that your author loves the music of Tony Bennett–it’s why I started this blog and it’s why I built the interactive discography. Over the years, I’ve listened to all of his recordings many times over and have found many recordings that I adore: from all albums and all the decades of his incredible career.

But one year stands out for me more than any other: 1962. Here’s a quick review of some highlights from 1962:

  • The concert at Carnegie Hall
  • His live appearance at the request of President Kennedy, along with Dave Brubeck
  • The release of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”
  • Grammy awards for Record of the Year (“I Left My Heart in San Francisco”) and Best Solo Vocal Performance (Male)
  • The release of several albums: Mr. Broadway, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall and what should have been released that year, but was canceled at the last minute: On The Glory Road
  • The recording of all of the songs for the album I Wanna Be Around

By any measurement, the year of 1962 for Tony Bennett was absolutely remarkable. For that reason, I’ll be examining the greatness of 1962 for February and March of this year, including songs and albums recorded or released in that year.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Sunday, September 27, 2015 is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About These Versions

I completely fell in love with this song the first time I listened to Tony Bennett sing it on the 1962 Carnegie Hall Concert album. I always thought it was such a great song for him and wondered why he never recorded it again. On Friday, my hopes came true: “All The Things You Are” is the first song on the new Tony Bennett – Bill Charlap album The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern.

Once again, we have the lovely contrast of a love song from the same singer, decades apart. I’ll leave you to your own conclusions. I dearly love both of these versions.

1962

All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to All The Things You Are (From "Very Warm For May") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962


“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

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All The Things You Are

Tony Bennett, Bill Charlap · The Silver Lining - The Songs of Jerome Kern · Song · 2015


“All The Things You Are,” as well as The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Monday, September 21, 2015 is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” was written in 1953 by Douglass Cross (lyrics) and George Cory (music). This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters were constantly giving Ralph Sharon copies of their songs. Cross and Cory had done that and Sharon had stuck the song in a drawer and forgotten all about it. In 1961, he and Bennett were heading out on tour, which included a stop in San Francisco at The Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Sharon came across the music and thought it might be a nice local number for the San Francisco audience. After a performance in Hot Springs, Arkansas, they found a piano and started to work on the song a bit. An early fan was the bartender, who said that he’d buy the first copy if they ever decided to record it. Of course, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was a huge hit at the performance and in January 1962, Bennett recorded it and released it on a 45 RPM record on the B-side to “Once Upon a Time.” But gradually, I Left My Heart in San Francisco started getting all the airplay and it became a major hit for Bennett, winning him his first Grammy Award. It is his signature song and is beloved by all of his fans.

About This Version

“I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was recorded at the famed CBS 30th Street Studio on January 23, 1962. It was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning. It was released on the album I Left My Heart in San Francisco in June 1962. The song won the Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male.

(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco

Listen to (I Left My Heart) In San Francisco on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as the album of the same name, is available from iTunes.

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