The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Saturday, July 31, 2021, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland to sing in her 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man That Got Away” in 1959 with Ralph Sharon for the album Tony Sings For Two, released in 1962.

Where or When

Listen to Where or When on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

Here’s that famous clip from A Star Is Born:

The Man That Got Away - A Star Is Born (1954)

Of course this is the original version that was written for Judy by Harold Arlen for the film A Star Is Born in 1954. Judy Garland is 32 years old here.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Trapped In The Web Of Love

The song of the day for Sunday, July 25, 2021, is “Trapped In The Web Of Love.”

About This Song

“Trapped In The Web Of Love” was written in the 1930s by Jeanne Burns. Burns was born in New York City in 1917 and wrote her first Cotton Club number (“Little Town Gal”) when she was only sixteen years old. She wrote numerous songs during the 1930s and 40s. This song has also been recorded by Peggy Lee in 1965 and The Treniers in 1954. Burns was also a vocalist with several bands during the 1930s.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Trapped In The Web Of Love” in 1960, featuring an arrangment by Ralph Sharon. It was unreleased until 1966, when it was used on A Time For Love.

Trapped In The Web Of Love

Listen to Trapped In The Web Of Love on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1966

“Trapped In The Web Of Love,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Mam’selle

The song of the day for Monday, July 19, 2021, is “Mam’selle.”

About This Song

“Mam’selle” was written by Edmund Goulding and Mack Gordon for the 1947 film The Razor’s Edge, which starred Tyrone Power. This lovely song has been widely recorded by artists including Frank Sinatra, Dennis Day, Frankie Laine, and, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Mam’selle” in 1959 for the album Tony Sings For Two, which was released in 1962. Bennett recorded all of the songs on this album with only Ralph Sharon on piano–no other instruments. It’s a really gorgeous album, as is this song.

Mam"selle

Tony Bennett · Tony Sings For Two · Song · 1961

“Mam’selle,” as well as Tony Sings For Two is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Friday, July 16, 2021, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, “I’ve Got Just About Everything” is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett 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” with The Ralph Sharon Trio in 1964 for When Lights Are Low. This has a great arrangement by Ralph Sharon plus excellent work by Sharon, 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.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When Lights Are Low

The song of the day for Thursday, July 15, 2021, is “When Lights Are Low.”

About This Song

“When Lights Are Low” was written in 1936 by musicians Benny Carter and Spencer Williams, while both were living and working in Europe. Carter was the staff arranger for the BBC during that period.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “When Lights Are Low” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio, which featured Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums. It was released in 1964 on the album When Lights Are Low.

When Lights Are Low

Listen to When Lights Are Low on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964

“When Lights Are Low,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.