The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 19, 2021, is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

Written in 1958, “It Amazes Me” is one of the non-theatrical popular songs written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Liza Minnelli recorded this song when she was only eighteen years old on her first album. It has also been recorded by Bill Evans, George Shearing, and Cleo Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It Amazes Me” in 1959 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. Frank DeVol did the arrangement. Bennett has sung this song at all of the dozen or so concerts of his I’ve attended.

It Amazes Me

Listen to It Amazes Me on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1958.

“It Amazes Me,” as well as Long Ago and Far Away, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Best is Yet to Come

The song of the day for Monday, November 16, 2020, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Diana Krall, born on November 16, 1964, a very happy birthday!

About This Song

“The Best is Yet to Come” was 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

Diana Krall and Tony Bennett recorded “The Best is Yet to Come” in 2006 for Duets: An American Classic.

The Best Is Yet to Come (with Diana Krall)

Listen to The Best Is Yet to Come (with Diana Krall) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2006.

“The Best is Yet to Come,” as well as Duets: An American Classis, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Saturday, November 7, 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 “The Rules of the Road” in 1961, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Burns. The recording was included on Bennett’s 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, released in 1962.

Rules of the Road

Listen to Rules of the Road on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

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

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, October 16, 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 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for When Lights Are Low. In addition to Sharon on piano, the trio consisted of Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

I have to confess that I love this song. According to my content management system, this is the 21st time I’ve featured this song in the life of the blog. I guess you could say that I do like it a lot.

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

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Friday, September 11, 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. But as far as I’m concerned, Tony Bennett owns this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1964 for the album When Lights Are Low, backed by The Ralph Sharon Trio, which featured Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

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

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