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 Friday, August 14, 2015 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Rules of the Road,” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1961. While Coleman and Leigh are best-known for their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, “The Rules of the Road” was not written for a show. 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. That said, though, I think that Tony Bennett completely owns this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song several times and I am fond of all of them. Today’s version is his first: from 1961 and first released on his 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. The muscular arrangement is from Ralph Burns, who Bennett had worked with in 1959 on Hometown, My Town.

About Today

Readers of this blog know that I have several weaknesses: just about anything by Rodgers and Hart, the two albums with Bill Evans, The Art of Romance and “The Rules of the Road.” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve featured this song, but it doesn’t matter because I’ll continue to feature it when the mood hits. And the mood did hit this week. Enjoy.

Rules of the Road

Tony Bennett · I Left My Heart In San Francisco · Song · 1962


“The Rules of the Road,” as well as I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Sunday, June 14, 2015 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

Written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sings it at many of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

This is the first version of this song that Tony Bennett recorded and is, as far as I’m concerned, just perfect. It was arranged and conducted by the composer.

About Today

Cy Coleman (nee Seymour Kaufman) was born on June 14, 1929 in New York City. He was a child prodigy on the piano and had performed at Steinway Hall, Town Hall and Carnegie Hall between the ages of six and nine. In spite of his classical background, he was drawn to jazz and formed the Cy Coleman Trio. As a composer, he worked with several lyricists, most famously with Carolyn Leigh. In addition to writing wonderful popular songs, such as today’s song and my personal favorite, “The Rules Of The Road,” he also wrote the scores for Broadway musicals including Little Me, Sweet Charity, Wildcat, The City Of Angels and Barnum. Mr. Coleman died on November 18, 2004 at the age of 75.

Once again, I want to strongly recommend the new biography of Cy Coleman: You Fascinate Me So by Andy Propst.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet To Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as all of the songs collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 6, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Monday, June 8, 2015 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “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).

About This Version

Tony Bennett first sang “Firefly” in 1958. After the producers decided to go with Jule Styne for the score, Coleman and Leigh gave the song to Tony Bennett, who recorded it twice in 1958, first a studio recording and later live with The Count Basie Orchestra. He also sang in on several recorded concerts including the 1962 Carnegie Hall Concert and the 1964 Live at The Sahara. It’s a great, funny song and this recording by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga is lots of fun. The arrangement is by Steve Kortyka, who also plays the saxophone in Lady Gaga’s band.

About Today

This evening Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform the first of two concerts in London at The Royal Albert Hall. For our readers who are attending one of these concerts, have a great time!

Firefly

Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga · Cheek To Cheek (Deluxe) · Song · 2014


“Firefly,” as well as Cheek To Cheek, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules Of The Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 20, 2015 is “The Rules Of The Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Rules Of The Road,” was written in 1960 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In his new biography of Cy Coleman, You Fascinate Me So, author Andy Propst tells us that prior to writing “The Rules Of The Road” Coleman was suffering from a long bout of writers block. Leigh was ready to start on “The Rules Of The Road” until Coleman found a way around the episode of writer’s block. In addition to this song, they followed up with one of their great Broadway hits, Wildcat.

About This Version

It’s no secret that I love to listen to Tony Bennett sings “The Rules Of The Road.” This version is from his 1964 album with the Ralph Sharon Trio When Lights Are Low. In addition to Sharon on piano, the trio featured Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. The album was recorded in Las Vegas in March 1964 as they were preparing for Tony Bennett’s big show at The Sahara the following month.

About Today

Why did I choose this song today? I was in a rather long business meeting this morning where we were discussing a new issue that just come up. Somebody at the table said, “Well, that’s how it goes.” And so today’s song was decided.

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


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

Andy’s book, You Fascinate Me So, is available from Amazon as well as other book retailers.

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Saturday, April 4, 2015 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

Written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sings it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Today’s version of the “The Best Is Yet To Come” is the original, which recorded on July 30, 1960 and released in early 1961 as a single. It was arranged and conducted by the composer, Cy Coleman. As an aside, a new biography of Cy Coleman called You Fascinate Me So: The Life and Times of Cy Coleman by Andy Propst will be published in late April 2015 and is available for pre-order from Amazon. I think it’s going to be a wonderful book; I’ve read the first chapter and am quite impressed. Given how many of Cy Coleman’s songs that Bennett has recorded, I know it will be an excellent resource about one of the great American composers from the last half of the twentieth century.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet To Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011

“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as the other singles collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 6, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s Saturday and I’m featuring the duet of today’s song with Tony and Diana Krall. I’ve really enjoyed listening to her new album Wallflower. Her world-wide tour is on and if you have a chance, I hope you’ll go. She puts on a wonderful show. You can check out her touring schedule and listen to parts of Wallflower here. In the meantime, here is Tony and Diana and even Phil Ramone, discussing “The Best Is Yet To Come” from Duets: An American Classic in 2006.

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