The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: When Lights Are Low

The song of the day for Friday, July 24, 2020, is “When Lights Are Low.”

About This Song

“When Lights Are Low” was written in 1936 by Benny Carter and Spencer Williams; both Carter and Williams were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger for the BBC during that time.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Lights Are Low” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low. The recording features The Ralph Sharon Trio, with Billy Exiner on drums and Hal Gaylord on bass. In addition to playing piano, Sharon arranged the tune.

“When Lights Are Low,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 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” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, recorded with the Ralph Sharon Trio, which featured 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 from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 19, 2020, is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written by David Mann and Bob Hilliard in 1955. 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” on February 26, 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio, consisting of Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. They recorded a number of songs at that session, some of which wound up on different records and some of which were never released. “In The Wee Small Hours” was released in 1966 on A Time For Love.

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Just In Time

The song of the day for Saturday, February 15, 2020, is “Just In Time.”

About This Song

“Just In Time” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin. Holliday and Dean Martin sang it in the 1960 film version of Bells Are Ringing.

About This Version

Just a few weeks after his triumphant performance at Carnegie Hall, Tony Bennett was invited by President Kennedy to perform at the White House for the interns whose service had come to an end. In addition to Bennett, The Dave Brubeck Quartet was also invited. The concert was originally to be performed in the Rose Garden, but there was so much interest in the concert that it was moved to the mall by the Washington tower.

Tony Bennett sang “Just In Time” at the White House concert on August 28, 2020, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

Though the entire concert was taped, the tapes had been thought long lost. In fact, it wasn’t until 2012 that they were found–in the Sony/Columbia classical section. Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions was released in May 2013.

“Just In Time,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 4, 2020, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 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” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low. Accompanying Bennett was the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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