The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 14, 2021, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” for his 1966 album A Time For Love. It was arranged and conducted by the composer.

The Shining Sea

Listen to The Shining Sea on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Thursday, July 8, 2021, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” ” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “My Funny Valentine” in 1964 for the album A Time For Love, which was released by Ralph Sharon. This is an exquisite recording of this song, with an excellent arrangement (and piano playing) by Ralph Sharon.

My Funny Valentine

Listen to My Funny Valentine on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 7, 2021, is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. This song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In The Wee Small Hours” in 1964, featuring a very fine arrangement by Ralph Sharon, who accompanied Bennett, along with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. The recording was released on the 1966 album A Time For Love.

In The Wee Small Hours

Listen to In The Wee Small Hours on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Yesterdays

The song of the day for Friday, January 29, 2021, is “Yesterdays.”

About This Song

“Yesterdays” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Roberta was made into a film in 1935. The Kern-Harbach score for Roberta also included “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Let’s Begin,” which Tony Bennett recorded in 1957 for his third album, The Beat of My Heart.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterdays” for his 1966 album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement and led the Ralph Sharon Trio. It’s an especially fine arrangement and Hal Gaylord’s bass was very good.

Yesterdays

Tony Bennett · A Time For Love · Song · 1966

“Yesterdays,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Very Thought Of You

The song of the day for Monday, October 26, 2020, is “The Very Thought Of You.”

About This Song

“The Very Thought Of You” was written in 1934 by Ray Noble. This ballad by the British composer and bandleader Ray Noble has been popular since it was written in 1934. Noble recorded it with his own orchestra; Bing Crosby also recorded it that same year. Other significant recordings include those by Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Very Thought Of You” in 1965. It was arranged by John Keating and featured Bobby Hackett on cornet. It was released the following year on A Time For Love.

The Very Thought Of You

Listen to The Very Thought Of You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“The Very Thought Of You,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from Apple Music.

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