Finian's Rainbow Archives | Page 6 of 8 | The Year of Tony Bennett

November 11, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, November 12, 2016 is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane, with lyrics by Yip Harburg, for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

I felt the need for a Yip Harburg song today and “Old Devil Moon” is a great song. I picked Bennett’s version from 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! The excellent arrangement is by the excellent Marion Evans, who still arranges for Tony Bennett, lately on Cheek To Cheek.

Old Devil Moon
Listen to Old Devil Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Our video this Saturday is Tony Bennett singing today’s song from his 1995 MTV Unplugged concert. The album from show won the Grammy’s coveted award for Album of the Year. You’ll get no argument from me on this.

March 16, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, March 17, 2016 is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written Burton Lane, with lyrics from Yip Harburg, for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.” Far be from me to argue with Alec Wilder when it comes to American popular music.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Old Devil Moon” several times. Today I chose his 1967 version from Tony Makes It Happen! The arrangement by Marion Evans is superb and Bennett is in wonderful voice. Listen in at 1:25 into the song as he holds the word ‘love’ for what seems like forever. The orchestra is really wonderful; I especially enjoy the cascade of violins at the opening.

One thing I love about Tony Bennett is how open he is about the joy he finds when he sings. You can hear him chuckle several times during this recording. He sounds great, he’s having a good time and he gives us that little laugh. You really can’t beat that.

Old Devil Moon
Listen to Old Devil Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

September 5, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Saturday, September 5, 2015 “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was composed by Burton Lane with lyrics by Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Old Devil Moon” in 1954 for his first album, Cloud 7. Today’s recording is from his 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! and was arranged by the great Marion Evans.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4t3I5khZ6TCaoSYYW1cKms
“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

About Today

We interrupt our regular programming to bring you Tony Bennett YouTube Saturday. Today’s video of “Old Devil Moon” is from the MTV Unplugged concert, broadcast in April 1994. Mr. Bennett is accompanied by Ralph Sharon, Clayton Cameron on drums and Doug Richeson on bass.

July 19, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, July 19, 2015 is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, with music by Burton Lane and lyrics from Yip Harburg. Also from this musical is the song “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Today’s version is Bennett’s second recording of “Old Devil Moon.” He recorded for his first album, Cloud 7, in 1954. Today’s version is from 1964 for the album Tony Makes It Happen!. I love the opening of this song, with the glissando of strings; Rainbow is, after all, a musical filled with magic. While the strings continue to remind us of its ethereal quality, this is a superb big band arrangement.

I think my favorite part comes about 1:20 into the recording, where Bennett holds the note as he sings ‘love’ for what seems like forever, while the brass climbs up the scale. It’s really fantastic!

About This Week

This week, The Year of Tony Bennett honors a friend of this blog: Marion Evans. During the week, we will feature recordings by this gifted arranger.

Marion Evans and Tony Bennett in 1967. Photo by Milt Hinton.

Evans arranged and conducted all the songs on Bennett’s 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! and continues to arrange for him today.

Old Devil Moon
Listen to Old Devil Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.