The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Friday, October 18, 2019, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, this song is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums) for the album When Lights Are Low.

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

By 2 Comments

Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, September 19, 2019, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About Today

Today is your blogger’s birthday and so I’m treating myself. I really love this song and especially this version.

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low. This album uses the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: That Old Black Magic

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 28, 2019, is “That Old Black Magic.”

About This Song

One of the great songs by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, “That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942 and first recorded by Glenn Miller. It was used in the 1942 movie Star Spangled Rhythm. It’s been recorded many times and used in several films, including the 1956 film Bus Stop, where it was sung by Marilyn Monroe.

About This Version

On August 28, 1962, Tony Bennett with the Ralph Sharon Trio and the Dave Brubeck Quartet were invited by President John F. Kennedy to present a concert to thank all of the White House college interns. Initially, the concert was to bed held in the Rose Garden, but so much interest was generated about this concert that it was moved to the outdoor Sylvan Theatre at the base of the Washington Monument.

The evening started with five songs performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, consisting of Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto sax, Eugene Wright on bass, and Joe Morello on drums. This was followed by six songs performed by Tony Bennett with The Ralph Sharon Trio, consisting of Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

After his set, Bennett returned to the stage with Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright, and Joe Morello for an improvised and completely unrehearsed set. The highlight of this set (well, for me anyway) was their performance of “That Old Black Magic.”

For many years, the tapes from this concert were thought to be lost. Not long after Brubeck’s death in 2012, the tapes were found (misfiled in the classical music archives at Columbia), resulting in the 2013 release of Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. Both performers were incredibly popular: Bennett had wowed the critics just a few weeks earlier with his legendary performance at Carnegie Hall on June 29; Brubeck, having recently found incredible success with his song “Take Five,” was busy recording and performing. This album was a rare opportunity to hear both their rehearsed sets as well as their impeccable improvisations.

“That Old Black Magic,” as well as Bennett & Brubeck: The White House Session, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Thursday, July 11, 2019, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, this song is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.”

Bob Dorough recently passed away. In the early days of this blog, I wrote to Bob about how much I liked this song and enjoyed featuring in here. He wrote back. thanking me for writing. He was a lovely man and a fine composer and performer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 with The Ralph Sharon Trio for his album When Lights Are Low. This recording clearly demonstrates the excellence of the trio. Listening to Sharon on piano, Billy Exiner on drums, and Hal Gaylord on bass, I can’t imagine a better recording.

I’ve Got Just About Everything – 2011 Remaster

I’ve Got Just About Everything – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Monday, May 13, 2019, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I’ve Got Just About Everything,” was written by the great Bob Dorough, a noted jazz pianist and composer. Some may remember Bob from his songs on Schoolhouse Rock television program.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” with the Ralph Sharon Trio (featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums) for his 1964 album When Lights Are Low.

When Lights Are Low

When Lights Are Low, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.