The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 26, 2014 is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

“Make Someone Happy” is from the 1960 musical Do Re Mi, written by Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Do Re Mi concerns a guy, a bit of a loser and a con, who goes into the juke box business with some gangster pals. ”Make Someone Happy” was introduced by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Make Someone Happy” in 1976 for their second album Together Again.

Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003

Listen to Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“Make Someone Happy,” as well as the album Together Again, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Monday, October 20, 2014 is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written in 1947, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was written for the movie It Happened in Brooklyn. The song was introduced by Frank Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists.In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.”

Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day and Cyndi Lauper.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Time After Time” in 1958 for his album Long Ago and Far Away, arranged by Frank DeVol; he also sang the song in his 1964 appearance at The Sahara in Las Vegas, as captured on Tony Bennett Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On. which is available at iTunes. Today’s version is from his 1992 album Perfectly Frank, his album of songs associated with Frank Sinatra. This version was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

Time After Time

Listen to Time After Time on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“Time After Time,” as well as the album Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Make Someone Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 14, 2014 is “Make Someone Happy.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Make Someone Happy” was composed by the great Jule Styne with lyrics from the equally great Adolph Green and Betty Comden. The song is from their 1960 Broadway musical Do, Re, Mi. The original production starred Phil Silvers, who goes into the jukebox business with some gangsters. Finally he realizes that he has all he needs in his marriage. “Make Someone Happy” was sung by John Reardon and Nancy Dussault in the original production. Silvers’ wife was played by Nancy Walker. I’d love to see a cast like that in a Broadway musical again.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang an upbeat version of this song in 1962 at the Bennett and Brubeck concert for the White House interns; this album was recently released as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962. Today’s version is from Bennett’s second album with Bill Evans: Together Again. Both versions are great; the second one breaks my heart a little, though. Which I really like once in a while.

Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003

Listen to Make Someone Happy - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 2009


“Make Someone Happy,” as well as the album Together Again, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Party’s Over

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 12, 2014 is “The Party’s Over.”

About This Song

“The Party’s Over” is from the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing, which featured a brilliant score with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The song was introduced by the great star of the show, Judy Holliday.

I must confess that I just heard the news about the death of Robin Williams and am feeling so sad. So, I hope you don’t mind a somewhat sad song on a beautiful summer day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Party’s Over” for his wonderful (and sometimes overlooked) 1959 album Hometown, My Town. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns, bringing a muscular jazz motif to the orchestral score. All of the songs on this album are brilliantly arranged by Burns.

The Party"s Over

Listen to The Party"s Over on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959

“The Party’s Over,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, May 21, 2014 is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was composed in 1947 by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was written for the film It Happened In Brooklyn an was introduced by Frank Sinatra and also by Kathryn Grayson, who sang it later in the film. The song is a wonderful ballad with a beautiful theme. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder said this of the song:

It’s a strong, pure, dramatic, uncluttered, unselfconscious melody. It bespeaks personal involvement and great warmth. I know of no other ballad by Styne equal to it. I’d have been proud to have written it.

High praise, indeed.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded “Time After Time” several times, most recently for his 1992 album Perfectly Frank; he also sang it at The Sahara in Las Vegas, captured on the recently released Tony Bennett Live at The Sahara: Las Vegas, 1964. However, today’s version is his first, recorded in 1958 for his fourth 12″ LP record Long Ago … And Far Away. It’s early Tony Bennett and it’s wonderful. The album was recorded in Los Angeles and features Frank DeVol and His Orchestra. DeVol did all the arrangements for the album.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2kpmZe4Cpm1gIWAZa8ZU0J
“Time After Time,” as well as the album Long Ago And Far Away, is available from iTunes.