The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: I’m Glad There Is You

The song of the day for Monday, May 6, 2013 is I’m Glad There Is You.

About This Song

I’m Glad There Is You was written in 1941 by Jimmy Dorsey with lyrics by Paul Madeira (sometimes credited as Paul Mertz). Dorsey first recorded this song with his orchestra, with vocals by Bob Eberly. The review of the recording in Billboard (March 21, 1942) said that “It’s a love song, with the story seeped in philosophical thoughts rather June-moon wordage.” That complexity of thought, combined with the interesting and relatively unusual melody, makes for a somewhat sad, but evocative love song.

It’s been a very popular jazz love song, with recordings by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, Rosemary Clooney and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this I’m Glad There Is You for his 1992 tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. It’s nicely arranged by Robert Farnon and accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

http://open.spotify.com/track/445SF4I1u83hR49ubrukQf
I’m Glad There Is You, as well as the full Perfectly Frank album, is available from iTunes.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 9, 2013 is I’ve Got Just About Everything.

About This Song

This song was written by Bob Dorough, a bebop and cool jazz pianist and composer. Born in 1923, Dorough served in a Special Services Army Band Unit. After the war, he attended the University of North Texas and then headed for New York. Dorough is probably best known for his work on the 1970s series Schoolhouse Rock. He also co-wrote one of my favorite Dave Frishberg songs, I’m Hip. Dorough still performs regularly near his home in Pennsylvania and he maintains an active website as well.

About This Version

I’ve been listening to a lot of Tony Bennett’s music from the first half of the 1960s the past few weeks, especially his album with just him and Ralph Sharon, Tony Sings For Two, and his 1964 album with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon, Billy Exiner, and Hal Gaylord), When Lights Are Low. I really enjoy hearing Bennett sing with a small combo and When Lights Are Low is a real treat. I’ve Got Just About Everything is from this album. Longer than the average song length at just over six minutes, it contains some nice instrumental work by Sharon, Exiner and Gaylord.

http://open.spotify.com/track/32ne5iCh5B7geOvcX8PQsu
I’ve Got Just About Everything, as well as the full When Lights Are Low album, is available from iTunes.

And, if you’re in the mood, here’s Dave Frishberg and Bob Dorough singing I’m Hip. (Even though this is on YouTube, there isn’t any video, just the audio.)

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Song of the Day: Mam’selle

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 2, 2013 is Mam’selle.

About This Song

Mam’selle was written by Edmund Goulding, with lyrics by Mack Gordon. The song was used in the 1947 Tyrone Power movie The Razor’s Edge. Five different recordings of the song reached the top ten list in that same year, including versions by Dick Haymes, Frank Sinatra and Dennis Day. Frankie Laine recorded a jazz version as well.

About This Version

Today’s version is from one of my favorite Tony Bennett albums, Tony Bennett Sings For Two. This album featured just Tony and Ralph Sharon on piano with no other musicians. I only recently discovered that the entire album was recorded in a single session. It’s a beautiful album that features Bennett’s voice perfectly.

http://open.spotify.com/track/25RurDuYwQlN78ijOoCG4N
Mam’selle, as well as Tony Bennett Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: When I Fall In Love

The song of the day for Thursday, March 21, 2013 is When I Fall In Love.

About This Song

Composed by Victor Young with lyrics by Edward Heyman, When I Fall In Love was written 1952 for the romantic war movie One Minute To Zero, which starred Robert Mitchum and Ann Blythe and was produced by Howard Hughes (yes, that Howard Hughes).  The reviews were not especially kind; the New York Times said “Here is another war picture that smells of grease paint and studios.”  Ouch.

About This Version

While the movie that launched When I Fall In Love may not be on any top 100 list, it’s a charming love song and has become a jazz and popular standard. Doris Day had the first hit version of it in 1952 and Nat King Cole released it in 1957. It has also been recorded by Etta James and Johnny Mathis. It’s a very sweet and charming love song. While some may find the yearning for one true love to last a lifetime somewhat trite, this author enjoys the sweet naiveté of the song’s sentiment. Tony Bennett sings it in that spirit, with loving heart and no irony. It’s kind of refreshing.

Tony Bennett recorded this song with the Count Basie Orchestra for his 1959 In Person! album, with a nice easy arrangement by Ralph Sharon.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1gvj0dMWUQ1G1JpoZLpJH5
When I Fall In Love, as well as the full In Person! album, is available from iTunes.