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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

January 4, 2023 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Fly Me To The Moon

The song of the day for Thursday, January 5, 2023, is “Fly Me To The Moon.”

About This Song

“Fly Me To The Moon” was written in 1954 by Bart Howard. The song was originally titled “In Other Words,” but the song was not doing that well, in spite of several recordings. In 1962, Howard renamed the song “Fly Me To The Moon,” and the song began to catch on. Tony Bennett’s 1965 recording for If I Ruled The World was a big hit for Bennett. There have been many recordings of the song, including those by Frank Sinatra, Kaye Ballard, and many more. However, Bart Howard told Bennett that his 1965 recording was “the definitive performance of this song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Fly Me To The Moon” on April 12, 1994, for MTV’s Unplugged. The MTV Unplugged album was released in June of that year. The songs from the televised concert were arranged by Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio.

“Fly Me To The Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the recording of “Fly Me To The Moon” from the MTV television performance.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bart Howard, MTV Unplugged, Ralph Sharon, Ralph Sharon Trio, Tony Bennett

July 15, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Friday, July 16, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, “I’ve Got Just About Everything” is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” with The Ralph Sharon Trio in 1964 for When Lights Are Low. This has a great arrangement by Ralph Sharon plus excellent work by Sharon, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

I"ve Got Just About Everything

Listen to I"ve Got Just About Everything on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billy Exiner, Bob Dorough, Hal Gaylord, Ralph Sharon, Ralph Sharon Trio, Tony Bennett, When Lights Are Low

April 11, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Monday, April 12, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, “I’ve Got Just About Everything” is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.” This song has been recorded by composer Dorough, Ann Hampton Calloway, and even Tuck and Patti.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring a Ralph Sharon arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio backs Bennett on this album, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. Gaylord’s bass is especially good on this cut.

I"ve Got Just About Everything

Listen to I"ve Got Just About Everything on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Billy Exiner, Bob Dorough, Hal Gaylord, Ralph Sharon, Ralph Sharon Trio, Tony Bennett

March 1, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 2, 2021, is “Speak Low.”

Today, we are remembering composer Kurt Weill, who was born in Dessau, Germany. His best known work, the 1928 The Threepenny Opera, grew out of his association with German playwright Bertold Brecht, which led to his marriage to Lotte Lenya. They fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and settled in New York. He began writing for Broadway, including scores Street Scene and One Touch of Venus. He died in 1950.

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written in 1943 by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Speak Low” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Kurt Weill, Kurt Weill birthday, Ogden Nash, One Touch of Venus, Ralph Sharon Trio, Tony Bennett

January 28, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Yesterdays

The song of the day for Friday, January 29, 2021, is “Yesterdays.”

About This Song

“Yesterdays” was written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach for the 1933 Broadway musical Roberta where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Roberta was made into a film in 1935. The Kern-Harbach score for Roberta also included “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” and “Let’s Begin,” which Tony Bennett recorded in 1957 for his third album, The Beat of My Heart.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Yesterdays” for his 1966 album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement and led the Ralph Sharon Trio. It’s an especially fine arrangement and Hal Gaylord’s bass was very good.

Yesterdays

Listen to Yesterdays on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1966.

“Yesterdays,” as well as A Time For Love, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: A Time For Love, Hal Gaylord, Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach, Ralph Sharon Trio, Roberta, Tony Bennett

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