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: Country Girl

The live performance song of the day for Tuesday, January 22, 2013 is Country Girl.

About Country Girl

This beautiful song was written by Robert Farnon, who worked with Tony Bennett in the 1970s, mostly in England.

About This Version

This version, arranged by Marion Evans, is from Tony Bennett’s historic concert with London Philharmonic Orchestra on January 31, 1971. This concert celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall. The concert was conducted by Robert Farnon. The concert was filmed and shown on the BBC and the recording was released as Get Happy.

Mr. Bennett sang this song at Mr. Farnon’s memorial service in 2005.

Country Girl - Live at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England - January 1971

Listen to Country Girl - Live at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England - January 1971 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1971

Country Girl, as well as the full Get Happy album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ll Be Seeing You

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 1, 2013 is I’ll Be Seeing You.

Tony Bennett 1992

About I’ll Be Seeing You

Written in 1938, with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal, I’ll Be Seeing You is a true jazz standard, with many outstanding performances. In addition to today’s featured song, other significant performances include those by Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Mel Tormé.

About This Version

Today’s version is from the 1992 Perfectly Frank. The entire album was arranged and conducted by Farnon and featured the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Mr. Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch (bass) and Joe LaBarbera (drums).

Mr. Bennett also recorded this song in 1956; it appeared on his 1957 album Tony.

I"ll Be Seeing You

Listen to I"ll Be Seeing You on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1992

I’ll Be Seeing You, as well as the full Perfectly Frank album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Snowfall

On the Seventh Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Thursday, December 20, 2012, the song of the day is Snowfall.

Holiday in the Sierras by Anthony Dominick Benedetto

About Snowfall

Snowfall was written in 1941 by the band leader Claude Thornhill.  Although he started his orchestra as a dance band, his true jazz roots soon emerged, as evidenced by his association with Gil Evans who wrote many of the orchestrations for Thornhill. In 1942, while his band was doing very well, he enlisted in the Navy and toured the Pacific Theater with Jackie Cooper and Dennis Day.  Upon returning to civilian life after the war, he reformed the band and introduced bebop to his style.

Snowfall has been recorded by many jazz performers, including Glenn Miller, George Shearing and the Manhattan Transfer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1968 for his first Christmas album, Snowfall. The album was arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon, with music supervision by Tony Tamburello.

Snowfall

Tony Bennett · Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album · Song · 1968

The song Snowfall, as well as the entire album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Christmasland

On the Fifth Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Tuesday, December 18, 2012, the song of the day is Christmasland.

Painting by Tony Bennett for the American Cancer Society Christmas card for 2010
Painting by Tony Bennett for the American Cancer Society Christmas card for 2010

About Christmasland

Christmasland was written by brothers Brian and Robert Farnon. Robert Farnon arranged and conducted the 1968 album Snowfall.

About This Version

This song was recorded in 1968 for the Christmas album Snowfall. It’s a lovely and evocative Christmas song.

Christmasland

Tony Bennett · Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album · Song · 1968

Christmasland, as well as the full Snowfall album, is available from iTunes.

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