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