The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Wednesday, July 7, 2021, is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. This song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In The Wee Small Hours” in 1964, featuring a very fine arrangement by Ralph Sharon, who accompanied Bennett, along with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. The recording was released on the 1966 album A Time For Love.

In The Wee Small Hours

Listen to In The Wee Small Hours on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1966.

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

The song of the day for Monday, April 19, 2021, is “East of the Sun (West of the Moon).”

About This Song

Brooks Bowman wrote “East of the Sun” in 1934 while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, he worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry, but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (West of the Moon)” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank, consisting of songs associated with Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

East of the Sun (West of the Moon)

Listen to East of the Sun (West of the Moon) on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“East of the Sun (West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m A Fool To Want You

The song of the day for Saturday, February 27, 2021, is “I’m A Fool To Want You.”

About This Song

“I’m A Fool To Want You” was written in 1951 by Joel S. Herron, Frank Sinatra, and Jack Wolf. Though Frank Sinatra was one of songwriters and sung it as well, “I’m a Fool to Want You” may be most identified with Billie Holiday, who recorded it 1958 for her album Lady in Satin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m A Fool To Want You” for his 1960 album To My Wonderful One. It was arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

I"m A Fool To Want You

Listen to I"m A Fool To Want You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1960.

“I’m A Fool To Want You,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available from Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Nancy

The song of the day for Saturday, December 12, 2020, is “Nancy.”

About Today

We are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Francis Albert Sinatra, born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 15, 1915. There’s a great Sinatra website at sinatra.com, where you can learn more about Sinatra, purchase his music (CD, Vinyl, and digital) and branded souvenirs (mugs, flasks, caps, t-shirts, onesies, hoodies, journals … well you get the idea).

About This Song

“Nancy” was written in 1942 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Phil Silvers. In 1942, Van Heusen, along with Johnny Burke, was in Palm Springs working on the score for a film. The comedian Phil Silvers dropped by and suggested that they write a song for Van Heusen’s wife Bessie, whose birthday they would be celebrating soon. “Bessie, with the laughing face”, was well-received and the pair would often sing it at birthday celebrations for other women. A bit later, at the birthday party for Sinatra’s daughter Nancy, they sang the song again, this time using “Nancy, with the laughing face.” Sinatra was quite moved, thinking that the song had been written especially for him and his daughter and the songwriters let him think that. Frank Sinatra first recorded “Nancy” in 1944.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Nancy” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank, a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

Nancy

Listen to Nancy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“Nancy,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from Apple Music.

Of course, I have to add Sinatra’s 1944 recording of “Nancy.”

Nancy (With the Laughing Face) - 78rpm Version

Listen to Nancy (With the Laughing Face) - 78rpm Version on Spotify. Frank Sinatra · Song · 1944.

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Song of the Day: Night and Day

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 20, 2020, is “Night and Day.”

About This Song

“Night and Day” was written by Cole Porter for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song became and still is quite popular and certainly a standard in the American songbook. Significant recordings include those by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Django Reinhardt.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Night and Day” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank, dedicated to Frank Sinatra. Ralph Sharon wrote the very effective arrangement.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

“Night and Day,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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