The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Moment of Truth

The song of the day for Sunday, October 13, 2013 is “The Moment of Truth.”

About This Song

“The Moment of Truth” was written by Tex Satterwhite and Frank Scott in 1963. In addition to his credits as a composer, Satterwhite was a trombonist who played for, among others, the Tommy Dorsey Band. Frank Scott played for the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. In addition to Bennett’s recordings, “The Moment of Truth” has been recorded by Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Today’s version is from the newly-released concert album Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964. Someone on Twitter remarked that “this recording is an education in performing” and I have to agree. It’s a masterful performance by a performer at the very top of his game.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5kR6aa4fmraidBGj6guZOk
“The Moment of Truth,” as well as Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Moment of Truth

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 10, 2013 is The Moment of Truth.

About This Song

The Moment of Truth was written by Tex Satterwhite and Frank Scott. I’ve not been able to find out much about either composer, other than Frank Scott worked with Lawrence Welk and that they wrote the song in 1963. It’s a terrific song and has been recorded by Peggy Lee (or Miss Peggy Lee, as I always call her) and Vic Damone. The Peggy Lee version is very good.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded a performance at the Sahara in Las Vegas on April 8, 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio and an orchestra led by Louis Basil. The performance was recorded by Bennett’s long-time recording engineer Frank Laico and was intended to be released as an album. The album was finally released as part of the 2011 Tony Bennett Complete Collection.

Bennett called the show The Moment of Truth, and the show both opens and closes with that song.  In between is a fantastic performance by Bennett and even a comedy interlude with Milton Berle, Danny Thomas and Mickey Rooney.  I wish I could point you to a location to hear this show, but as far as I know, it’s only available in the boxed Complete Collection. I recommend this concert recording highly.

Today’s version is from Bennett’s 1963 album This Is All I Ask. It has much of the same energy and punch as the concert version, with a wonderful arrangement by Ralph Burns.

http://open.spotify.com/track/39yeBiimbSr3Iimz0ckReB
The Moment of Truth, as well as the remastered This Is All I Ask album, is available from iTunes.