Mack Gordon Archives | Page 5 of 7 | The Year of Tony Bennett

May 14, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There Will Never Be Another You

The song of the day for Thursday, May 14, 2015 is “There Will Never Be Another You.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “There Will Never Be Another You,” was written in 1942 by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Mack Gordon. It’s ironic that one of Harry Warren’s most beautiful songs was written for a Sonja Henie vehicle called Iceland, starring Miss Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine stationed in Iceland during World War II. The song was introduced in the movie by Joan Merrill. Amazingly, this beautiful song was not nominated for an Academy Award. No matter. The song has become a serious jazz standard and has had many fine recordings, including Bennett’s 1959 recording with Count Basie and his 1962 improvisation with Dave Brubeck at the White House Sessions. Other significant recordings include those by Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole and Sonny Rollins.

About This Version

Today’s version is from the recently released live album Bennett / Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962. Both Bennett and Brubeck were invited to perform in the summer of 1962 for that summer’s class of White House interns at the request of President John F. Kennedy. The album opens with some great numbers from the Dave Brubeck Quartet and then from Tony Bennett with the Ralph Sharon Trio. Afterwards, Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Eugene Wright (bass) and Joe Morello (drums) do some really sweet, totally unrehearsed improv, including today’s song. It’s terrific jazz.

About Today

Tonight, Tony Bennett will be appearing at Humphrey’s By The Bay in San Diego, CA. I had the great fortune to see Mr. Bennett perform in that venue almost three years ago, in what was the original year of Tony Bennett, where I got to see him perform five times in nine months and after that was compelled to start this blog.

It’s a lovely, intimate venue and a beautiful location. For those that are going, have a great time. For those of us who aren’t, I want to leave you with a bit of some live Tony Bennett. Because live Tony Bennett is as good as it gets.

There Will Never Be Another You (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962
Listen to There Will Never Be Another You (with The Dave Brubeck Trio) - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck Trio · 2013

“There Will Never Be Another You,” as well as , is available from iTunes.

March 20, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Mam’selle

The song of the day for Friday, March 20, 2015 is “Mam’selle.”

About This Song

“Mam’selle” was composed by Edmund Goulding, with lyrics by Mack Gordon, for the 1947 film The Razor’s Edge, which starred Tyrone Power. This lovely song has been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Dennis Day, Frankie Laine and, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

“Mam’selle” is the 10th song on our album of the month, Tony Sings For Two. The song is somewhat sad and very beautiful.

Mam"selle
Tony Bennett · Tony Sings For Two · Song · 1961

“Mam’selle,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

January 6, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Heart Tells Me

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 7, 2015 is “My Heart Tells Me.”

About This Song

“My Heart Tells Me” was written in 1943, with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Mack Gordon. The ballad was written for the movie Sweet Rosie O’Grady, which starred Betty Grable. In fact, Grable introduced the song while sitting in bathtub filled with bubbles as part of a performance in a somewhat naughty beer hall show. The song has been widely recorded by artists including Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Harry James, Glenn Miller, Dorothy Collins and Charlie Parker.

About This Version

Today’s song is the third cut on our album of the month, Cloud 7. It was recorded on December 22, 1954 and was arranged by the trumpet player, Charles Panely. It’s the first real ballad on the album and Bennett gives a restrained but emotionally complete performance.

My Heart Tells Me (Should I Believe My Heart?)
Listen to My Heart Tells Me (Should I Believe My Heart?) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1955

“My Heart Tells Me,” as well as Cloud 7, is available from iTunes.

November 13, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: There’s A Lull In My Life

The song of the day for Thursday, November 13, 2014 is “There’s A Lull In My Life.”

About This Song

“There’s A Lull In My Life” was written ” was written for the 1937 film Wake Up and Live, where it was introduced by Alice Faye. It was composed by Harry Revel with lyrics by Mack Gordon.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1964 for the album Who Can I Turn To. The album was arranged and conducted by George Siravo and was produced by Ernie Altschuler. In addition to the orchestra (listed on the session topic in The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography), the album features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

About Today

I was reminded today by a friend of this blog what a great recording this is and so easily decided to use it as the song of the day. But in doing so, I realize that tonight there is a bit of a lull in my life. For nearly two years, I have been working on the Tony Bennett discography that I launched last night. My habit has been to do the song of the day after dinner for the following day and then spend anywhere from one to three hours working on the discography. But now this phase is completed and released and I am definitely taking a bit of break before the next phase. I have no doubt I’ll find something to do … I have a stack of books nearly a foot high on my bedside table that I have been meaning to read. But for tonight, there’s a bit of a lull in my life.

There"s a Lull In My Life
Listen to There"s a Lull In My Life on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“There’s A Lull In My Life,” as well as Who Can I Turn To, is available from iTunes.