The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Autumn Leaves

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 8, 2023, is “Autumn Leaves.”

About This Song

“Autumn Leaves” was composed in 1945 by Joseph Kosma, with French lyrics by Jacques Prévert. Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics in 1947. Known as “Les feuilles mortes” (The Dead Leaves) in the original French, the English song is known as “Autumn Leaves.” Mercer wrote the lyrics in 1947 and Jo Stafford was the first artist to record the song with the English lyrics. Other notable recordings include those by Edith Piaf and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Autumn Leaves” on October 14, 1964, for his album Who Can I Turn To. George Siravo wrote the arrangement. The recording features The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Bill Exiner on drums).

“Autumn Leaves,” as well as the album Who Can I Turn To, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Small World

The song of the day for Monday, August 28, 2023, is “Small World.”

About Today

Fifty-five years ago, on August 28, 1962, Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck performed in a concert honoring that year’s White House interns. The concert got so much attention that it had to moved from The White House Rose Garden to the Mall by the Washington Monument. Dave Brubeck, with his trio, performed first, followed by his trio, and ended up with an improv session with Brubeck, with Joe Morello (drums) and Eugene Wright (bass) from Brubeck’s trio.

Today we’re featuring a song from Bennett’s set, with The Ralph Trio (Sharon on drums, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums). William B. Williams, a DJ on New York’s WNEW introduced Tony Bennett and his trio:

About This Song

“Small World” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, in 1959 for the Broadway musical Gypsy. “Small World” is sung by Rose and Herbie, who has the misfortune to fall in love with Rose. Gypsy is arguably the best musical ever written and has been revived many times on Broadway.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Small World” on August 28, 1962, released on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962.

The recording of the concert was long thought lost. Thankfully, it was found in the Columbia/Sony Records archive in the Classical section and finally released on May 28, 2013.

“Small World,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962
 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 5, 2023, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

“Oh! You Crazy Moon” was written in 1939 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. It was the first song that Van Heusen and Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” on February 6, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: You Go To My Head

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 6, 2023, is “You Go To My Head.”

About This Song

“You Got To My Head” was written in 1938 by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, the same songwriting team that gave us “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Alec Wilder called “You Got To My Head” “a phenomenon” and “a minor masterpiece.” Al Gioia in The Jazz Standards notes that “this song comes closer than any tune I know to capturing in musical form the feeling of losing control.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You Go To My Head” on October 14, 1957. It was an outtake for the original release of The Beat of My Heart in 1957, but was included on the 1997 re-release of the album. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon. The Beat of My Heart featured a number of percussionists as guest artists; in addition to Bennett’s regular drummer Billy Exiner, Sabu and Candido were featured on this recording.

“You Go To My Head,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, May 18, 2023, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” on March 26, 1964, for his album When Lights Are Low. Bennett recorded this album with The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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