The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 17, 2021, is “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon).”

About This Song

Brooks Bowman wrote “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” while a student at Princeton University for a student musical production called Stags at Bay, produced by the Princeton Triangle Club. The song had a great reception and was noted by Princeton alumnus F. Scott Fitzgerald. After his graduation from college in 1936, Bowman worked briefly in Hollywood for the film industry but decided to return to the East Coast. He was about to start a contract with a New York music publisher when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1937.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)” in 1992 for his album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led The Ralph Sharon Trio.

“East of the Sun (and West of the Moon),” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Dancing in the Dark

The song of the day for Friday, November 12, 2021, is “Dancing in the Dark.”

About This Song

“Dancing in the Dark” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz for the 1931 revue The Band Wagon and is widely considered to be the finest of the songs written by Schwartz and Dietz. Alec Wilder in American Popular Song describes it as “… a very strong song with a superb, poetic lyric.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Dancing in the Dark” in 1993 for his album of songs made famous by Fred Astaire, Steppin’ Out. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Dancing in the Dark,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

Speaking of Fred Astaire and The Band Wagon, here’s that exquisite dance with Astaire and the beautiful Cyd Charisse from the 1953 movie.

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Song of the Day: A Shine On Your Shoes

The song of the day for Monday, November 8, 2021, is “A Shine On Your Shoes.”

About This Song

“A Shine On Your Shoes” was written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Diets in 1932 for the Broadway musical Flying Colors. The same song was used for the 1953 movie The Band Wagon, which starred Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “A Shine On Your Shoes” in 1993 for the album Steppin’ Out, an album of songs associated with Fred Astaire. Bennett and Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements for the album. Bennett is accompanied by The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums.

“A Shine On Your Shoes,” as well as Steppin’ Out is available on Apple Music.

I hope you have time to watch this wonderful dance number from The Band Wagon. Astaire insisted on using a real bootblack instead of an actor for the number. They discovered the 23-year old Leroy Davis. You can read more about him here. I think he gives Astaire a run for his money.!

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Song of the Day: Time After Time

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 3, 2021, is “Time After Time.”

About This Song

“Time After Time” was written in 1947 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn for the 1947 movie It Happened in Brooklyn, featuring Frank Sinatra. It was introduced by Sinatra and was a major hit for him. This song has been widely recorded by many artists.

In his fine book The Jazz Standards, Al Gioia quotes Jule Styne as saying “It’s a man’s song — ‘Time After Time.’ When a woman sings it, it is drained of all its power, so to speak. The girls can’t do it.”

Well, tell that to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day, and Cyndi Lauper, all of whom made excellent recordings of today’s song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Time After Time” with the Ralph Sharon Trio for his 1992 album Perfectly Frank. With Sharon on piano, the trio rounds out with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Time After Time,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

Perfectly Frank won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Performance.

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Song of the Day: All Of My Life

The song of the day for Thursday, October 28, 2021, is “All Of My Life.”

About This Song

Irving Berlin wrote “All Of My Life” in 1944. This sweet ballad expresses the yearning for a nice life with the one that you love, a message that was quite poignant for a country towards the end of World War II. This song was introduced (and made famous) by Kate Smith. Other recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Harry James, Sarah Vaughan, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “All Of My Life” in 1987 for his album Bennett/Berlin, featuring Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone. Bennett wrote the arrangement and is accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“All Of My Life,” as well as Bennett/Berlin is available on Apple Music.

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