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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 8, 2013 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: Poor Butterfly

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 8, 2013 is Poor Butterfly.

About This Song

This beautiful song was written in 1916 by Raymond Hubble, with lyrics by John Golden, for the Broadway musical The Big Show. The song was, of course, inspired by the Giacomo Puccini opera Madame Butterfly. It’s been a popular song since 1917 and for good reason; it’s a beautiful song. It’s been recorded by Julie Andrews (in Thoroughly Modern Millie), Deanna Durbin, Errol Garner, Benny Goodman, Al Hirt, Susannah McCorkle, Frank Sinatra with Duke Ellington, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Poor Butterfly for his 1995 Grammy Award winning album, Here’s To The Ladies. In this album, he picked songs strongly associated the great female jazz singers; this song is for Sarah Vaughan.

In his liner notes for Here’s To The Ladies, Tony Bennett wrote:

I first heard Sarah sing at the Waldorf Astoria. Being one of Sarah’s biggest fans, I was transported right up to heaven whenever I heard her perform this song.

I know the feeling; I was transported the moment I heard this song this evening. I had picked another song from the album as song for the day. My habit is to listen to the rest of the album while I write the topic for the song each day. A few seconds into Poor Butterfly I started thinking that I couldn’t remember when I’d heard a more beautiful song. And so here is Poor Butterfly.

Poor Butterfly

Listen to Poor Butterfly on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1995.

Poor Butterfly, as well as the full Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Here's To The Ladies, John Golden, Raymond Hubble, Sarah Vaughan

September 12, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Maybe This Time

The Song of the Day for September 12, 2012 is Maybe This Time.

About Maybe This Time

Maybe This Time was written by John Kander and Fred Ebb. The song was used in the film version of their musical Cabaret, but not in the original stage production. It is said that the song was written by Kaye Ballard and that she first recorded Maybe This Time, though The Year of Tony Bennett cannot find any documentation of when she recorded it for the first time. However, her website does have a link to play a snippet from her current 4-CD set. The song is widely associated with Liza Minnelli, who sings it regularly.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Maybe This Time in 1995 for his album to Here’s To The Ladies. Mr. Bennett has performed this song at every concert of his I’ve ever attended, and I dearly hope he continues to include it in his concert set lists. It’s a wonderful song and I, personally, will never tire of hearing him sing it to a live audience. Mr. Bennett, with the current quartet, performed this song at the iTunes Festival in London 2010, which is available on iTunes and is a great, if short, live set. And is the best $5.99 you can spend if you like Tony Bennett. Everyone at the Year of Tony Bennett recommends this iTunes concert.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Cabaret, Fred Ebb, Here's To The Ladies, John Kandor, Kaye Ballard

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