The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 19, 2017 is “Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Today’s 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 the album When Lights Are Low.

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.

Tony Bennett has recorded several versions of “The Rules of the Road,” but this one is by far my favourite. It comes across to me as a cautionary tale–the story of a person who has been burned a bit by those rules.

About Today

Today is your author’s birthday and “The Rules of the Road” is my present to myself. I know I play this song a lot, but it’s my favorite. I hope you’ll forgive this indulgence.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Saturday, September 16, 2017 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

Today’s 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

Tony Bennett sang the Ralph Sharon arrangement of “The Best Is Yet To Come” at his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert, released on the 1997 CD re-release of Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

The Best Is Yet To Come - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to The Best Is Yet To Come - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962


“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video for this Saturday is the duet version of “The Best Is Yet To Come” featuring Diana Krall, from Duets: An American Classic.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, September 13, 2017 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 performed “It Amazes Me” at his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert, with an arrangement by Ralph Sharon, that was released on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

It Amazes Me - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to It Amazes Me - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · 1962


“It Amazes Me,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Friday, August 18, 2017 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

“Firefly” was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh 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 recorded this version of “Firefly” with Count Basie and His Orchestra in 1958 for the album In Person! This recording is really delightful!

Firefly

Tony Bennett & Count Basie · The Complete Recordings (Bonus Track Version) · Song · 2013


“Firefly,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

By 2 Comments

Song of the Day: Now I l Lay Me Down To Sleep

The song of the day for Sunday, July 30, 2017 is “Now I l Lay Me Down To Sleep.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Now I l Lay Me Down To Sleep,” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1958. Tony Bennett’s was the first recording of this song and it was well-received. Billboard reviewed the song in the April 28, 1958 edition: “Top side is a lovely new Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh ballad that is given a beautiful rendition by the artist. … Very spinable wax.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep” on April 8, 1958; it was released as a single just a couple of weeks later. The arrangement was by Frank DeVol.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Listen to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2011


“Now I l Lay Me Down To Sleep,” as well as all of the songs collected on The Columbia Singles, Vol. 5, is available from iTunes.