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 Monday, November 3, 2014 is “It Amazes Me.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh; it is one their non-theatrical songs. It’s been widely recorded as both a popular and jazz standard. This fine song has been recorded by Blossom Dearie, Bill Evans, Julie Wilson and Bobby Short.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song first in 1958, the year it was written, for Long Ago and Far Away. Today’s recording is his live version from his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert. He also sang it live for the MTV Unplugged concert in 1994.

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.

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Song of the Day: Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 15, 2014 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. While Coleman and Leigh are best-known for their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, “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.

About This Version

Today’s version of “The Rules of the Road” is the first (and the best, in my opinion): recorded in 1961 and included on the 1962 album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. The arrangement is by Ralph Burns, who also arranged Bennett’s 1959 album Hometown, My Town.

About Today

No special reason for today, other than I absolutely love this song and it’s been at least a couple of months since I’ve featured it. Hope you enjoy it!

Rules of the Road

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


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

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, August 7, 2014 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. While the pair is 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.

But I think that Tony Bennett completely owns this song and always will.

About This Version

Today’s version of “The Rules of the Road” is from Bennett’s 1964 album When Lights Are Low. Bennett is accompanied on this album by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

I’ve been listening to When Lights Are Low all week and especially to “The Rules of the Road.” Regular readers know that this song is a favorite of mine; I choose it often. He’s made several different recordings of this song and each has its own distinct take. I really do love this version, though. I hope you do too.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3Ym1D0K9Qk4PTK2Iw2Z6It
“The Rules of the Road,” as well as the remastered album When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 30, 2014 is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman (music) and Carolyn Leigh (lyrics). 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

Today’s song was recorded 54 years ago today: July 30, 1960. Also recorded that day was “Marry Young,” also by Coleman and Leigh. The two songs were released on a single (Columbia 45: 41965) in 1961. And, in 1962, both were included on Tony Bennett’s album I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

The Best Is Yet to Come

Listen to The Best Is Yet to Come on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962

“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Thursday, July 10, 2014 is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1964. In the year 2000, 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 chose “When In Rome” for their first outing, The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album. Bill Evans let be known that this particular song was his idea, not Tony’s. Evans was a big fan of the song and played it frequently with his trios.

http://open.spotify.com/track/0z8NAX4UK2KxwvIUSvetdb
“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.