The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: In A Mellow Tone

The song of the day for Friday, February 3, 2017 is “In A Mellow Tone.”

About This Song

“In A Mellow Tone” was written by Duke Ellington, with lyrics from Milt Gabler, was written in 1939. This song was based on the 1917 song “Rose Room” by Art Hickman and Harry Williams. The song is a favorite of both vocal and instrumental jazz performers, including Tony Bennett, Paul Gonsalves, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald and Annie Ross.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In A Mellow Tone” in 1999 for his album Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, which was released on the centennial birthday of the great Duke Ellington. This recording was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns. It features the Ralph Sharon Quartet, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, Clayton Cameron on drums, and Gray Sargent on guitar. I especially like the opening of the song, which starts with just the singer and guitar, then piano and then the rest of the quartet. It’s a lovely beginning. Listen how the song grows throughout to finally bring in the band. Sargent’s guitar is outstanding on this recording.

In A Mellow Tone

Tony Bennett · Bennett Sings Ellington / Hot And Cool · Song · 1999


“In A Mellow Tone,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Rules Of The Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 25, 2017 is “Rules Of The Road.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Rules Of The Road,” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Coleman and Leigh are well-known for both their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, their standalone songs, such as “Rules of the Road,” are equally compelling. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney.

About This Version

Regular visitors to The Year of Tony Bennett know that this song is a favorite of mine. I usually choose Bennett’s original 1961 version, with a Ralph Burns big band arrangement, from the album I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Today, however, I’m featuring his 1964 version, arranged by Ralph Sharon, with the Ralph Sharon Trio that featured Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums, on the album When Lights Are Low. It’s a much quieter and introspective reading of the song … so interesting, in fact, that I’m also adding the 1961 version, in case you’d like to listen and compare the two.

The Rules Of The Road

Listen to The Rules Of The Road on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“Rules Of The Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

Here’s the 1961 version from I Left My Heart in San Francisco, also available from iTunes:

Rules of the Road

Tony Bennett · I Left My Heart In San Francisco · Song · 1962

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Thursday, January 19, 2017 is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella By Starlight” was composed in 1944 by Victor Young; the lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946. The song as an instrumental was introduced in the 1944 film The Uninvited. The first recording with vocals was made in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It found its way as a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella By Starlight” in 1961 for his album My Heart Sings, with a terrific arrangement by Ralph Burns.

Stella By Starlight

Listen to Stella By Starlight on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Penthouse Serenade

The song of the day for Monday, January 16, 2017 is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Penthouse Serenade,” was written in 1931 by Will Jason and Val Burton. It is one the classic Depression-era songs with the yearning for the glamorous Manhattan apartment by the poor, yet romantic, couple. The first known use of “Penthouse Serenade” was for the 1933 animated short Betty Boop’s Penthouse, where it was sung by Mae Questel. On a more serious note, “Penthouse Serenade” has had exceptional recordings: Nat King Cole recorded it in 1952 as a piano solo for an album of the same name and Tony Bennett’s recording for his 1959 album Hometown, My Town.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Penthouse Serenade” in 1958 for the album Hometown, My Town, which was released in 1959. The terrific arrangement is by Ralph Burns.

Penthouse Serenade

Listen to Penthouse Serenade on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1959


“Penthouse Serenade,” as well as Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling At Trouble

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 11, 2017 is “Keep Smiling At Trouble.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Keep Smiling At Trouble,” was written in 1924, with music by Lewis Gensler and lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. “Keep Smiling at Trouble” was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Keep Smiling At Trouble” in 1967 for the album For Once In My Life, with a great arrangement by Ralph Burns.

Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble)

Listen to Keep Smiling At Trouble (Trouble"s A Bubble) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1967


“Keep Smiling At Trouble,” as well as For Once In My Life, is available from iTunes.

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