The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The Song of the Day for Sunday, November 4, 2012 is Poor Little Rich Girl.

About Poor Little Rich Girl

Poor Little Rich Girl was written by Noel Coward with Philip Braham for the 1925 musical revue, On With The Dance. It opened in Manchester, England and was soon transferred to London.  At the time, Noel Coward was not at all well-known, and barely received a mention in the reviews.

About This Version

This version was recorded by Mr. Bennett with Count Basie and His Orchestra in January 1958 for the Basie / Bennett album, released in 1959. This recording is included on From Now On, a Tony Bennett  compilation album from Europe released in September, 2012.

In this author’s opinion, the Count Basie-Tony Bennett collaboration was a brilliant next step after his two jazz albums: Cloud 7 and Beat Of My Heart. I have always respected Mr. Bennett for giving Count Basie top billing for this album as a measure of his respect for the body of work by Bill Basie. The collaboration with Count Basie further cemented Tony Bennett’s reputation as a jazz musician. This version was arranged by Ralph Sharon and it swings.

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Song of the Day: Lost In The Stars

The Song of the Day for October 25, 2012 is Lost in the Stars.

About Lost In The Stars

Lost in the Stars, from the musical of the same name, was written by Kurt Weill,  with book and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson. Based on Alan Paton’s book Cry The Beloved Country (written in 1948), the musical was produced on Broadway in 1949 and was Mr. Weill’s last work.  Lost in the Stars movingly tells the story of apartheid in South Africa.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song several times. My favorite recording is the version offered today: the single recorded in 1958 with the Count Basie Orchestra and Ralph Sharon, as compiled on Forty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett.

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Song of the Day: Just Friends

The Song of the Day for October 20, 2012 is Just Friends.

About Just Friends

Just Friends was written in 1931 by John Klenner with lyrics by Sam Lewis.  The song became popular in 1932 after it was recorded by Russ Columbo  with Leonard Joy’s Orchestra. It has been recorded by Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Today’s version is from  his 1961 album Tony Sings For Two.

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Song of the Day: It Amazes Me

We continue Ralph Sharon Week with the Song of the Day for September 18, 2012:  It Amazes Me.

About It Amazes Me

It Amazes Me was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. Although this songwriting pair is well-known for their musical scores, this song was not written for a musical.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded It Amazes Me in 1958 for his album Long Ago and Far Away. I’ve heard him sing it in concert several times and it never ceases to amaze me too. This live version is from the 1962 Carnegie Hall Concert. He also recorded it for the 1994 MTV Unplugged concert, again with Ralph Sharon.

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Song of the Day: Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me

The Song of the Day for September 17, 2012 is Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me.

About Nobody’s Heart Belongs To Me

This song was written for the 1942 Broadway musical By Jupiter, directed by Joshua Logan, which ran for 427 performances. The musical is set in ancient Greece and features a plot of Amazon warrior women and Greek warriors and starred Constance Moore and Ray Bolger. Also well-known from By Jupiter is Wait Til You See Her.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon included this song on Tony Sings For Two, on which Bennett was accompanied only by Sharon.  It’s really wonderful to hear Tony Bennett sing with just piano and this album is a favorite of mine. And, on this favorite album, this song never fails to move me deeply.