The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Monday, January 17, 2022, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written by Michel Legrand for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. Jacques Demy wrote the original French lyrics; Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the English lyrics. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey played this recording on their program Radio Deluxe this weekend in a program dedicated to lyricist Marilyn Bergman, who died last week. They reminded me just how perfect Tony sings on this record, and so I’m happy to present it as the song of the day.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Thursday, December 30, 2021, is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1944 musical On The Town, the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. This song had been in Evans’s repertoire since at least 1961 and appeared on several of his albums.

I plead guilty to playing this recording often. I think it’s the most perfect recording I’ve ever heard.

“Some Other Times,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

I have a couple of other versions of today’s song. First is Bill Evans from The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, from 1961. He plays with his trio, with Paul Motian on drums and Scott LaFaro on bass. Tragically, LaFaro died in an automobile accident just a few weeks after the Village Vanguard. He was only 25, but in spite of his short career, he is ranked number 16 on Bass Player’s magazine of the top 100 bassists. Evans was consumed with grief after LaFaro’s death and stopped performing for several months.

I also have a lovely version of “Some Other Time” from a 1960 studio recording of On The Town.

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Song of the Day: A Child Is Born

The song of the day for Saturday, December 25, 2021, the twelfth day of The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, who played trumpet with The Count Basie Orchestra, and Alec Wilder. Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best-known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1968.

“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Two Lonely People

The song of the day for Sunday, October 17, 2021, is “The Two Lonely People.”

About This Song

“The Two Lonely People” was written in 1971 by Bill Evans, with lyrics by Carol Hall. The song first appeared on Evans’ 1971 album The Bill Evans Album. The song was also recorded in 1974 on the album But Beautiful, recorded live with Stan Getz at Jazz Middelheim in Antwerp, Belgium.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “The Two Lonely People” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again, released in 1977.

The Two Lonely People - Remastered 2003

Listen to The Two Lonely People - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977

“The Two Lonely People,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Saturday, October 16, 2021, is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the 1944 Broadway musical On The Town. The musical tells the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

I know I play this song fairly often, but it’s such a remarkable recording that I can’t help myself. Just listen to the last few seconds, to how long Tony holds the final “time” and Evans lightly plays the right hand to the highest note possible, and then, with just a moment of silence, he plays that final chord. It’s breathtaking.

Some Other Time

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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