The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

The song of the day for Friday, February 27, 2015 is “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

About This Song

Originally written as an instrumental in 1940, Ellington named the song “Never No Lament.” Bob Russell’s lyrics came in 1942 and the song’s title was changed to the current “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” The somewhat sad lyric of the jilted lover who would just rather stay home bumps up against the very cheerful tune and makes for a delicious dichotomy.

About This Version

Today’s version is Tony Bennett’s first version of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” recorded in 1967. It was arranged by Marion Evans, who arranged all of the songs on Tony Makes It Happen! It’s a very fine arrangement and was used on the Duets II version with Michael Bublé.

Don"t Get Around Much Anymore

Listen to Don"t Get Around Much Anymore on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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The Man Behind The Sound

It’s no secret to regular readers of The Year of Tony Bennett that I am a big fan of arranger Marion Evans. Evans has been arranging for Tony Bennett for many years and, at the age of 88, is still going strong. He did much of the work on Cheek To Cheek and is already thinking about his next project for the just-announced Cole Porter album by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga.

Marion Evans and Tony Bennett in 1967. Photo by Milt Hinton.
Marion Evans and Tony Bennett in 1967. Photo by Milt Hinton.

Mr. Evans currently resides in Pennsylvania. His local paper just did a wonderful feature article, which I wanted to share.

The arranger behind the Grammy-winning Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga album talks recording then and now

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Song of the Day: On The Sunny Side Of The Street

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 14, 2015 is “On The Sunny Side Of The Street.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “On The Sunny Side Of The Street,” was written in 1930 by two of America’s greatest songwriters: Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields. It was introduced in Lew Leslie’s International Revue. “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” was one of the first in a series of cheerful songs to try to cheer people up over the Great Depression. It has proven popular with singers, who love the wonderful Fields lyric, and jazz players, who love McHugh’s swingy tune.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” in 1967 for his album Tony Makes It Happen! The arrangement is by the great Marion Evans who is, in this author’s opinion, one of the greatest arrangers and orchestrators of the American songbook. He arranged Bennett’s latest album, Cheek to Cheek, with Lady Gaga.

On the Sunny Side of the Street

Listen to On the Sunny Side of the Street on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967

“On The Sunny Side Of The Street,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Can’t Get Out Of This Mood

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 24, 2014 is “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood.”

About This Song

Today’s song was written in 1942, with music by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Frank Loesser. “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” was written for the wartime musical, Seven Day’s Leave. This torch song was introduced in the movie by Ginny Simms, with the Freddy Martin Orchestra.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Can’t Get Out Of This Mood” in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! The wonderful arrangement is by the great Marion Evans; the album was produced by Howard Roberts.

Can"t Get Out Of This Mood

Listen to Can"t Get Out Of This Mood on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Can’t Get Out Of This Mood,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Country Girl

The song of the day for Sunday, October 12, 2014 is “Country Girl.”

About This Song

“Country Girl” was written by the Canadian-born composer, conductor, arranger and trumpet player Robert Farnon in 1966. Farnon composed both light classical and popular music, as well as film and television scores. He worked with Tony Bennett on several albums, including the wonderful 1968 Snowfall.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Country Girl” in 1966 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! It was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans. In his liner notes for Forty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, in which he included “Country Girl,” Bennett wrote:

Don Costa, Marion Evans, Peter Matz and Quincy Jones all called Robert Farnon “the governor.” I didn’t know why until I had an opportunity to work with him. He also composed this song. When it comes to top quality music, he is at the very top of my list.

Country Girl

Listen to Country Girl on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Country Girl,” as well as the album Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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