The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Friday, September 17, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About Today

Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett’s long-time pianist and musical director, was born on September 17, 1923, in London, England. We’re honoring him with today’s song that really shows what a fine pianist Sharon was.

About This Song

“I’ve Got Just About Everything” was written by Bob Dorough. The song is a joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennet 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” in 1964 with The Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. In addition to Sharon on piano, the trio featured 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. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

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

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Song of the Day: Just In Time

The song of the day for Saturday, August 28, 2021, is “Just In Time.”

About Today

Fifty-nine years ago tonight, August 28, 1962, Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio and The Dave Brubeck Quartet, invited by President John Kennedy, performed at a concert to celebrate that year’s group of Presidential Scholars. Originally the concert was to be held on the White House grounds, but was so popular that it was held on the National Mall by the Washington Monument. Bennett and Brubeck each played their sets. Then Bennett, Brubeck, bass player Eugene Wright, and drummer Joe Morello returned for a short, completely improvised set.

The concert was recorded and survived long enough for one of the improv numbers to be used on other records. And the original tapes were since thought to be lost. Not long after Brubeck’s death in 2012, the tapes were found, misfiled in the classical music section of Columbia’s vaults. In 2013, Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 as released.

In honor of this concert, The Year of Tony Bennett will feature all of Bennett’s set and the Bennett/Brubeck improv set over the next ten days. Enjoy!

About This Song

“Just In Time” was written for the 1956 Broadway musical hit, Bells Are Ringing, by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin. Holliday and Dean Martin sang it in the 1960 film version of Bells Are Ringing.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Just In Time” at the White House concert in 1962, with The Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. The performance was released on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

Just In Time - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962

Listen to Just In Time - Live at the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. - August 1962 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 2013

“Just In Time,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962 is available on Apple Music.

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

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 24, 2021, 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. The song was originally recorded by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra, featuring Bob Eberly on vocals. The song has been widely recorded including recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, and Peggy Lee, among many others.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’m Glad There Is You” in 1992 for the album Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon did the arrangement.

I"m Glad There Is You

Listen to I"m Glad There Is You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992

“I’m Glad There Is You,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: I’m Just a Lucky So and So

The song of the day for Friday, August 13, 2021, is “I’m Just a Lucky So and So.”

About This Song

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So” was written in 1945 by Duke Ellington and Mack David. A favorite song of Tony Bennett, “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” has also been recorded by Billy Eckstine, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded today’s song three times; today I’ve chosen his 1999 version for Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Bennett recorded the album with The Ralph Sharon Quartet, featuring Sharon on piano, Gray Sargent on guitar, Paul Langosch on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums. Ralph Burns, who Bennett first worked with in 1950, wrote the arrangement.

I"m Just A Lucky So And So

Listen to I"m Just A Lucky So And So on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1999

“I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Monday, August 2, 2021, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

Tony Bennett Week

Tony Bennett has made many excellent recordings of Harold Arlen songs — so many, in fact, that two of his Arlen songs have made it to my list of Seven of Tony’s greatest recordings. Today’s song is very special.

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote:

This is a most remarkable markable and beautiful song. It is one which goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music. For me, it is a concert song without a trace of trying to be. It hasn’t any artiness about it or pretense. It’s obviously deeply felt, both by the composer and the lyricist, E. Y. Harburg. It is written with such intensity that it gives the illusion of being a song of great range, whereas it is only one step beyond an octave!

All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his excellent 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 “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank.

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 on Apple Music.