The song of the day for Wednesday, March 20,2014 is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written in 1938 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the musical I Married An Angel. Reviewer Brooks Atkinson called it “one of the best musical comedies of many seasons, an imaginative improvisation with a fully orchestrated score and an extraordinarily beautiful production. Musical comedy has met its masters.” Certainly this rather sad but beautiful songs is one of their best.

There have been some great recordings of “Spring Is Here,” including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Anita O’Day, John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra and Maxine Sullivan.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Spring Is Here” is from Tony Bennett’s wonderful 1964 album When Lights Are Low. At a time when most albums featured full orchestras, Bennett recorded this jazz album with The Ralph Sharon Trio, including Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. There’s not a bad song on this album and many fine ones. After you’ve taken a moment to listen to “Spring Is Here,” check out Bob Donough’s terrific “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

http://open.spotify.com/track/1qW9XVcobbxYHjlAh5Kewp
“Spring Is Here,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.