The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for February 14, Valentine’s Day, 2017 is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon recorded My Funny Valentine on October 28, 1959 for the album Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1961. I mention the date of the recording session, as Bennett and Sharon recorded sixteen songs that day in a single session. Ralph came with a briefcase full of sheet music and they chose, arranged and recorded those songs in a single session. I would have given anything to have been able to see and hear that session.

My Funny Valentine

Listen to My Funny Valentine on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“My Funny Valentine,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes each and every reader a very happy Valentine’s Day. We leave you with this Valentine’s Day Google Doodle from 2012.

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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: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Thursday, January 12, 2017 is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Last Night When We Were Young,” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1992 for his Grammy award winning album Perfectly Frank. The arrangement is by Ralph Sharon, who leads the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbara on drums.

Last Night When We Were Young

Listen to Last Night When We Were Young on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992


“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Just Friends

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 10, 2017 is “Just Friends.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Just Friends,” was written in 1931 by John Klenner and Sam M. Lewis. “Just Friends” has been a popular jazz standard , including vocal versions by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker and Chet Baker. The song, both the music as well as the lyrics, seem more modern than most songs written in the early 1930s and for that reason has received interesting jazz treatments and found itself quite at home with bebop stylings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Just Friends” on October 28, 1959 with Ralph Sharon. On that day, Bennett and Sharon walked into the CBS 30th Street Studio with a briefcase full of sheet music, with no preconceived list of songs they were going to record. A song was suggested, worked on a bit by both Bennett and Sharon, and then recorded. The two recorded seventeen songs in one day, which resulted in one of Bennett’s greatest albums: Tony Sings For Two, which was released in early 1961. Just piano and voice and some of the greatest songs from the American songbook. I love this album more than I can say.

Just Friends

Listen to Just Friends on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“Just Friends,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.