The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Where or When

The song of the day for Thursday, May 10, 2018 is “Where or When.”

About This Song

“Where or When”, by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, was written for the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. Benny Goodman recorded “Where or When” in 1941 with a very young Peggy Lee. It is a favorite song of many vocalists and has had many fine recordings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett, accompanied by Ralph Sharon, recorded “Where or When” on October 28, 1959 in a remarkable recording session: just Bennett, Sharon, a pile of sheet music, nothing planned or charted and over the objection of Bennett’s producer Mitch Miller–and they recorded 17 songs in just that single session, 12 of which were included on Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

Where or When

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


“Where or When,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Limehouse Blues

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 8, 2018 is “Limehouse Blues.”

About This Song

“Limehouse Blues” was written in 1922 by Philip Braham and Douglas Furber for the London review Andre Charlot’s Revue of 1924, which was imported to New York and introduced Gertrude Lawrence to America.The song concerns life in London’s Chinatown. The song has a standard place in the jazz repertory, with recordings by Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Django Reinhardt, Sidney Bechet and the Dave Brubeck Quartet in addition to this recording by Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Limehouse Blues” in 1963 for the 1964 album The Many Moods of Tony. Dick Hyman played the organ for this recording, joining the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

Limehouse Blues

Tony Bennett · The Many Moods Of Tony · Song · 1964


“Limehouse Blues,” as well as The Many Moods of Tony, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 25, 2018 is “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.”

About This Song

“Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, was one of the hit songs from the 1940 musical Pal Joey, where it was introduced by Vivienne Segal. Notable recordings are by Benny Goodman, Mel Tormé, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. Alec Wilder admired the lyric and the verse, but found the song “notey.” In spite of being notey, it’s a cornerstone of the American Songbook. And a song your author fell in love with at the tender age of eight after hearing her parents playing it on the stereo when they thought the kids were asleep.

About This Version

I so enjoyed listening to parts of When Lights Are Low yesterday that I had to also take in one of Tony Bennett’s best albums: Tony Sings For Two. Bennett and Ralph Sharon held a legendary recording session at the Columbia 30th Street Studio–they went in with a briefcase of sheet music and recorded sixteen songs in a single session, many of them on the first take. Just Bennett, Ralph Sharon and Frank Laico as engineer. Even though the album was recorded in October, 1959, it wasn’t released until early 1961. This album is quite close to perfect.

Bewitched

Tony Bennett · Tony Sings For Two · Song · 1961


“Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, 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 24, 2018 is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I’ve Got Just About Everything,” was written by the great Bob Dorough in the early 1960s. Dorough made his first recording of this song in 1966.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 for the album When Lights Are Low. Ralph Sharon wrote the very fine arrangement and his piano work on this recording is superb. As always.

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 from iTunes.

About Today

The Year of Tony Bennett was profoundly sad to hear that Bob Dorough passed away on Monday, April 13, 2018 at the age of 94. He did it all: pianist, composer, lyricist and performer. I wrote Bob a note about five years ago and told him how much I liked “I’ve Got Just About Everything” and got a very gracious reply. Rest in peace, Bob.

You can learn more about Bob’s life, career and discography at his website bobdorough.com.

There is an entire generation of Americans who grew up with the music and wit of Bob Dorough thanks to his work on Schoolhouse Rock, aired on ABC from 1973 to 1985. And so, I leave you with one of the most beloved segments: “I’m Just a Bill.”

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

The song of the day for Monday, April 16, 2018 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 released by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra in 1941 and featured 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, a great collection of songs sung by Frank Sinatra. 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 from iTunes.