The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 17, 2015 is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

As today is St. Patrick’s Day, it is only fitting that we feature a song from that most Irish of musicals, Finians’ Rainbow, which is mostly about pots of gold at the end of the rainbow and leprechauns.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song several times; in fact, we featured his first recording in January as part of the album of the month study of Cloud 7. Today’s version is from 1967; it was arranged and conducted by Marion Evans and was included on Tony Makes It Happen!

Old Devil Moon

Listen to Old Devil Moon on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

Because I’m still feeling a bit guilty for missing Saturday’s song and YouTube video, here’s Tony singing today’s song from his 1994 MTV Unplugged concert. Enjoy! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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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.