The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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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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Song of the Day: On Green Dolphin Street

The song of the day for Thursday, September 15, 2022, is “On Green Dolphin Street.”

About This Song

“On Green Dolphin Street” was written by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington in 1947 for the film of the same name. While the song was not widely hailed at the time, it soon became popular with jazz musicians and has become a jazz standard (ranking #25 on jazz standards.com), especially after Miles Davis’ 1958 recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On Green Dolphin Street” on March 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano; Hal Gaylord on bass; and Billy Exiner on drums for the album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“On Green Dolphin Street,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Thursday, September 1, 2022, is “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

About This Song

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco” was written in 1953 by George Cory and Douglass Cross.

This song is, of course, Tony Bennett’s signature song. It actually became that quite by accident. As Bennett’s musical director, songwriters constantly gave 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

Tony Bennett sang this version of “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” live on August 28, 1962, at a concert hosted by President Kennedy’s White House held at the Washington Monument. The concert, with Bennett and his trio and Dave Brubeck and his quartet, was released in 2013 on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. Bennett’s trio consisted of Ralph Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Let’s Face The Music and Dance

The song of the day for Monday, August 1, 2022, is “Let’s Face The Music and Dance.”

About This Song

“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” was written by Irving Berlin in 1936 for the film Follow the Fleet starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Astaire – Rogers dance to this song is considered one of their best. This song has also been recorded by singers including Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Let’s Face The Music and Dance” on October 25, 1957. It wasn’t included in 1957 on the album The Beat of My Heart, but was added to the CD re-release. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon and features percussionists Candido, Sabu, and Billy Exiner.

“Let’s Face The Music and Dance,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 29, 2022, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got Just About Everything” was written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, this song is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 with The Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. The arrangement by Ralph Sharon lets the other members of the trio, Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass, really shine. This recording is pure joy to listen to.

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.