The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You’ll Never Get Away From Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 23, 2022, is “You’ll Never Get Away From Me.”

About This Song

“You’ll Never Get Away From Me” was written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim for the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy, starring Ethel Merman as Mama Rose. Gypsy is certainly one of the greatest musicals in history and Merman’s performance is legendary. “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” is sung to Mama Rose by her lover Herbie, played by Jack Klugman in the original production.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “You’ll Never Get Away From Me” on March 23, 1959, 63 years ago today, and features an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was originally released as a single and was included on Bennett’s 1962 album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits.

“You’ll Never Get Away From Me,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Small World

The song of the day for Sunday, August 29, 2021, is “Small World.”

About This Song

“Small World” is from the great 1959 musical Gypsy, written by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, it tells the story of the mother, Rose, and her two daughters, June and Louise, and her obsession to make it in the vaudeville circuit. The role of Rose was written for Ethel Merman and is one of her finest and most complex roles. “Small World” is sung by Rose and Herbie, who has the misfortune to fall in love with Rose. Gypsy is arguably one of the best musicals ever written and has been revived many times on Broadway.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, with The Ralph Sharon Trio, sang Small World at the 1962 concert in Washington, D.C. The concert was taped and released in 2013 as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

Small World - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to Small World - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2013.

“Small World,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Small World

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 28, 2018 is “Small World.”

About This Song

“Small World” is from the great 1959 musical Gypsy by Jule Styne (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics). Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, it tells the story of the mother, Rose, and her two daughters, June and Louise, and her obsession to make it in the vaudeville circuit. The role of Rose was written for Ethel Merman and is one of her finest and most complex roles. “Small World” is sung by Rose and Herbie, who has the misfortune to fall in love with Rose. Gypsy is arguably the best musical ever written and has been revived many times on Broadway.

About This Song

Just a few months after his legendary concert at Carnegie Hall in June, Tony Bennett and the Dave Brubeck Quartet were invited by President John F. Kennedy to perform for the summer interns who had served at the White House that year. The set started with a set by Brubeck, followed by Tony Bennett with Ralph Sharon (piano), Billy Exiner (drums) and Hal Gaylord (bass).

Our song for today is from Tony Bennett’s set, recorded on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962. That we have this album is in itself a miracle. The tapes of the concert were thought to be long-lost. However, soon after Brubeck’s death in December, 2012, the tapes were found–misfiled in the classical music archives. It was released on CD six months later, in May, 2013.

Small World - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to Small World - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2013.


“Small World,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Firefly

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 17, 2016 is “Firefly.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1958 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh as an audition piece for the musical Gypsy (which went on to be written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by a 28-year-old Stephen Sondheim).

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Firefly” twice in 1958: once as a single with an arrangement by Ray Ellis and again with the Count Basie Orchestra. It’s the second recording that I’m featuring today. It’s a short listen … just a little over a minute and a half, and every note is a delight. You’ll find this recording on In Person! The arrangement is by Ralph Sharon.

Firefly

Listen to Firefly on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1959.


“Firefly,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites