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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

March 21, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Being Alive

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 22, 2022, is “Being Alive.”

About Today

Today, March 22, 2022, would have been Stephen Sondheim’s 92nd birthday. We are proud to honor him today with one of songs he composed.

About This Song

“Being Alive” was written by Stephen Sondheim for his groundbreaking 1970 Broadway musical, Company. That original production was the first show I saw on Broadway and holds a very special place in my heart.

“Being Alive” is the closing song in the Stephen Sondheim musical Company, which ran on Broadway for 705 performances. Company was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Hal Prince), Best Book of a Musical (George Furth), Best Original Music and Best Original Lyrics as well as Best Scenic Design (Boris Aronson). D.A. Pennebaker made a documentary of the recording of the original cast album, recorded by Columbia Records at the 30th Street Studio, that was released in 2006.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Being Alive” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

“Being Alive,” as well as The Art of Romance is available on Apple Music.

I found this clip from the Pennebaker documentary of Dean Jones singing “Being Alive.”

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Company, Lee Musiker, Stephen Sondheim, The Art of Romance, Tony Bennett

August 1, 2019 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Being Alive

The song of the day for Friday, August 1, 2019, is “Being Alive.”

About This Song

“Being Alive” is the closing song in the 1970 Stephen Sondheim musical Company, which ran on Broadway for 705 performances. Company was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Hal Prince), Best Book of a Musical (George Furth), Best Original Music and Best Original Lyrics as well as Best Scenic Design (Boris Aronson). D.A. Pennebaker made a documentary of the recording of the original cast album, recorded by Columbia Records at the 30th Street Studio, that was released in 2006.

The Year of Tony Bennett is featuring this song today to honor the life of producer-director Hal Prince, who died yesterday at the age of 91. He won an unprecedented 21 Tony awards in his lifetime, one of which was for his direction of Company. Rest in peace, Hal. Broadway will never know another talent like his.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Being Alive” in 2004 for his wonderful album, The Art of Romance. Lee Musiker wrote the arrangement.

Being Alive

Listen to Being Alive on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.

“Being Alive,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Company, Hal Prince, Lee Musiker, RIP Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim, The Art of Romance

March 22, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Being Alive

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 22, 2016 is “Being Alive.”

About This Song

“Being Alive” is the closing song in the 1970 Stephen Sondheim musical Company, which ran on Broadway for 705 performances. Company was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Hal Prince), Best Book of a Musical (George Furth), Best Original Music and Best Original Lyrics as well as Best Scenic Design (Boris Aronson). D.A. Pennebaker made a documentary of the recording of the original cast album, recorded by Columbia Records at the 30th Street Studio, that was released in 2006.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Being Alive” in 2004 for his album The Art of Romance. The arrangement is by Lee Musiker.

Being Alive

Listen to Being Alive on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Being Alive,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today, we wish composer Stephen Sondheim a very happy 86th birthday. Company was the first production I saw on Broadway; I still remember every moment as if it was yesterday. Thank you for all the wonderful productions. I love them all.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Company, Happy Birthday to Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Sondheim, The Art of Romance

March 22, 2015 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: Being Alive

The song of the day for Sunday, March 22, 2015 is “Being Alive.”

About This Song

Being Alive” is the closing song in the 1970 Stephen Sondheim musical Company, which ran on Broadway for 705 performances (one of which was attended by your author; it was her first ever Broadway musical). Company was nominated for fourteen Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Hal Prince), Best Book of a Musical (George Furth), Best Original Music and Best Original Lyrics as well as Best Scenic Design (Boris Aronson). D.A. Pennebaker made a documentary of the recording of the original cast album, recorded by Columbia Records at the 30th Street Studio, that was released in 2006.

About This Version

This version of Being Alive was recorded for the 2004 The Art of Romance. For my money, I think The Art of Romance may be one of Mr. Bennett’s best-conceived albums. When listened to as a whole, it’s a remarkable emotional roller coaster about all aspects of love and romance. “Being Alive” has a similar placement in this album as it does in Company, the next-to-the last song, where the protagonist realizes that in order to be fully and totally alive, he must give himself up to love. In many ways, “Being Alive” is the next step after “The Good Life” in realizing what’s really important in life.

Being Alive was arranged by Lee Musiker and features Phil Woods on saxophone and Candido Camero on conga (Candido was featured on Mr. Bennett’s 1957 Beat of My Heart and also performed with Mr. Bennett at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert).

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes Stephen Sondheim a very happy 85th birthday today. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of at least one of his songs from one of his scores. And I carry the last line from Sunday In The Park With George with me every day as well:

White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities.

Being Alive

Listen to Being Alive on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2004.


“Being Alive,” as well as The Art of Romance, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Company, Lee Musiker, Stephen Sondheim, The Art of Romance

September 15, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Being Alive

The Song of the Day for September 15, 2012 is Being Alive.

About Being Alive

Being Alive was written by Stephen Sondheim for Company, which premiered on Broadway in 1970.  It was the first Broadway musical this author ever saw and I have been a devoted Stephen Sondheim fan ever since.

About This Version

This version of Being Alive was recorded for the 2004 The Art of Romance.  For my money, I think The Art of Romance may be one of Mr. Bennett’s best-conceived albums. When listened to as a whole, it’s a remarkable emotional roller coaster about all aspects of love and romance. Being Alive has a similar placement in this album as it does in Company, the next-to-the last song, where the protagonist realizes that in order to be fully and totally alive, he must give himself up to love. In many ways, Being Alive is the next step after The Good Life in realizing what’s really important in life.

Being Alive was arranged by Lee Musiker and features Phil Woods on saxophone and Candido Camero on conga (Candido was featured on Mr. Bennett’s 1957 Beat of My Heart and also performed with Mr. Bennett at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert).

As an extra treat, here’s The Art of Romance Electronic Press Kit (EPK). Thanks, You Tube!

A longer version of the EPK is available at tonybennett.com (with the Ultimate Access Pass–free three-month trial is available).

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Candido, Company, Lee Musiker, Phil Woods, Stephen Sondheim

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