The Song of the Day for Wednesday, November 14, 2012 is You Don’t Know What Love Is.

About You Don’t Know What Love Is

This song was written by Gene de Paul, with lyrics by Don Raye for an Abbot and Costello film, Keep ‘Em Flying, in 1941.The song was cut from the film, but later added to B-movie musical  called Behind the Eight Ball.  In spite of this odd beginning, the song became a jazz standard and has been recorded by musicians including Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Keith Jarrett and Anita O’Day.

About This Version

Today, we choose a song from the second Tony Bennett – Bill Evans album, Together Again (here from  The Complete Tony Bennett – Bill Evans Recordings CD set).

I recommend this complete recordings set, as it includes a number of alternate versions of several songs, including this one. The alternate versions are definitely worth listening to. Tony Bennett has stated that he tried to get all of the first session recorded, rehearsals and all, but the recording engineer was concerned about running out of tape. Both of those sessions would be amazing to listen to all, false starts, practicing and all.

If you are a fan of the Tony Bennett – Bill Evans albums, I’d like to recommend that you take a look at Allan Harris’ new album, Convergence, where he, with pianist Takana Miyamote,  sings songs from the sessions. Here’s Mr. Harris singing You Don’t Know What Love Is: