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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 5, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolving’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, January 6, 2021, is “Revolving’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written by Will Robison in 1940. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote that:

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. … He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road, which was all set to be released but was canceled at the last minute. The album was made available in the 2011 Complete Collection box set and is also available online.

“Revolving’ Jones,” as well as On The Glory Road is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: On The Glory Road, Tony Bennett, Will Robison

June 29, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: De Glory Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 30, 2021, is “De Glory Road.”

About Today

Today’s marks the end of our deep dive into Tony Bennett’s legendary concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. It’s been a pleasure to explore these songs so deeply — I hope you’ve enjoyed it as well.

About This Song

“De Glory Road” was written in 1928, with music by Jacques Wolfe and lyrics by Clement Wood. De Glory Road began as a poem written by a white, socialist, native Alabamian lawyer and writer named Clement Wood, who published the poem in 1928. Wood is also the author of the Clement Wood Rhyming Dictionary, the 1939 edition of which is Stephen Sondheim’s preferred rhyming dictionary.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “De Glory Road” in March 1962 for the album On The Glory Road; however, the release of that album was canceled at the very last minute. Bennett decided to close out his Carnegie Hall concert with this song and invited percussionist Candido to play on this song.

In his autobiography The Good Life, Bennett relates his choice of “De Glory Road” to close the concert.

I needed something really special to close with. I’d start out with old favorites, but I wanted to end with something that nobody had ever heard me sing before, something unexpected. Tony Tamburello suggested the spiritual “Glory Road.” Candido added to the success of “Glory Road” by playing a wonderful solo in the middle of it that drove the crowd wild.

“De Glory Road,” as well as the other songs Tony Bennett sang are captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“De Glory Road,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Candido, Clement Wolfe, Jacques Wolfe, On The Glory Road, Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall

May 5, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, May 6, 2021, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Willard Robison. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. … He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road. The album was canceled at the last moment. While some songs recorded for On The Glory Road made it to other albums, today’s song wasn’t made available until the album was released as part of the 2011 Complete Collection box set. Ralph Sharon wrote the very effective arrangement.

Revolvin" Jones

Listen to Revolvin" Jones on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as on The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: On The Glory Road, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Willard Robison

April 12, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Sometimes I’m Happy

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 13, 2021, is “Sometimes I’m Happy.”

About This Song

“Sometimes I’m Happy” was written by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Leo Robin, Clifford Grey, and Irving Caesar, for the 1927 musical Hit The Deck. It found early favor as a popular song with numerous recordings in 1927. It has also proven a durable standard, with recordings by Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, Betty Carter, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Sometimes I’m Happy” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road. The album was ready to be released when Columbia cancelled the album. Thankfully, it was included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

Sometimes I"m Happy

Listen to Sometimes I"m Happy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Sometimes I’m Happy,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Clifford Grey, Irving Caesar, Leo Robin, On The Glory Road, Tony Bennett, Vincent Youmans

March 7, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Soon It’s Gonna Rain

The song of the day for Monday, March 8, 2021, is “Soon It’s Gonna Rain.”

About This Song

“Soon It’s Gonna Rain” was written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks, which ran for astounding 42 years and 17,162 performances at the Sullivan Street Playhouse. For several decades, the New Yorker magazine, getting tired of describing the musical I guess, started quoting from James Joyce’s Ulysses instead of the standard content.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” in 1962 for On The Glory Road, featuring a lovely arrangement by Ralph Sharon. The album was ready to be released, but Columbia pulled it at the last minute. The album was finally released in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

Soon It"s Gonna Rain

Listen to Soon It"s Gonna Rain on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” as well as On the Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Harvey Schmidt, On The Glory Road, Ralph Sharon, The Fantasticks, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett

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