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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

June 13, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 14, 2017 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “The Rules of the Road,” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by 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, with a great arrangement by Ralph Burns. It was released on Bennett’s 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

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.

About Today

Today is special for the blog. First, one of my favorite songs; my content management system tells me this is the 13th time I’ve featured this song, which I think shows remarkable restraint, given how much I love it. It’s also the birthday of its composer, Cy Coleman, who was born on June 14, 1929. And, finally, it was arranged by our musical collaborator of the month, Ralph Burns. Perfect!

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Ralph Burns, Tony Bennett

May 11, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Friday, May 12, 2017 is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In the year 2000, as 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album. Evans said it was him that picked this song, as he loved the harmonic structure of the music.

When In Rome

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Evans, Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, Tony Bennett

January 24, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Rules Of The Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 25, 2017 is “Rules Of The Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Rules Of The Road,” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Coleman and Leigh are well-known for both their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, their standalone songs, such as “Rules of the Road,” are equally compelling. 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

Regular visitors to The Year of Tony Bennett know that this song is a favorite of mine. I usually choose Bennett’s original 1961 version, with a Ralph Burns big band arrangement, from the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Today, however, I’m featuring his 1964 version, arranged by Ralph Sharon, with the Ralph Sharon Trio that featured Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums, on the album When Lights Are Low. It’s a much quieter and introspective reading of the song … so interesting, in fact, that I’m also adding the 1961 version, in case you’d like to listen and compare the two.

The Rules Of The Road

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


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

Here’s the 1961 version from I Left My Heart in San Francisco, also available from iTunes:

Rules of the Road

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

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billy Exiner, Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, Hal Gaylord, Ralph Burns, Ralph Sharon

January 22, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Monday, January 23, 2017 is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “When In Rome,” was written in 1964 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh.

In the year 2000, as 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. I have always found it interesting that Bill Evans strived to tell people that he, Evans, was the one that wanted to include this song on the album, thinking that most people would assume that Bennett wanted to add the song because they might assume it was in Bennett’s comfort zone. In fact, Evans loved the song because of the harmonic structures in it. We should remember that before he became known as a composer, Cy Coleman was a jazz pianist and his songs are loved by jazz instrumentalists and singers alike.

When In Rome

Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975


“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Evans, Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album, Tony Bennett

December 29, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Friday, December 30, 2016 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

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

Today’s recording of “The Best Is Yet To Come” is the most recent of his wonderful recordings of this song. It’s from his recently aired NBC special Tony Bennett Celebrates 90 and it’s just great! If you haven’t bought the album yet, be sure to get the deluxe edition, which not only has the CD consisting of the songs from the special, but two extra CDs with previously unreleased recordings. I promise you that there’s some real gold in those extra discs.

The Best Is Yet to Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet to Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2016


“The Best Is Yet To Come” as well as Tony Bennett Celebrates 90, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett Celebrates 90

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