An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
The song of the day for Sunday, January 22, 2023, is “Firefly”
“Firefly” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1958 as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy (which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim).
Tony Bennett and Kermit the Frog recorded “Firefly” in June 1998 for the album The Playground.
“Firefly” as well as The Playground is available on Apple Music. .
The song of the day for Tuesday, August 30, 2022, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”
“The Best Is Yet To Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. some say that today’s song was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sang it regularly at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Tony Bennett sang “The Best Is Yet To Come” live at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall , captured on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.
“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, August 17, 2022, is “The Rules of the Road.”
“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.
Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” on April 6, 1961, with a very fine arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released in 1962 on the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.
“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Wednesday, May 11, 2022, is “When In Rome.”
“When In Rome” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1964. In the year 2000, part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which are songs that Tony Bennett has recorded including “When In Rome.”
Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.
“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.
The song of the day for Saturday, February 5, 2022, is “The Rules of the RoadThe Rules of the Road.”
“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.
Tony Bennett recorded “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, with a fine arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco.
“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco is available on Apple Music.