The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: When Joanna Loved Me

The song of the day for Saturday, May 17, 2014 is “When Joanna Loved Me.”

About This Song

“When Joanna Loved Me” was written in 1964, with music by Jack Segal and lyrics by Robert Wells. While this song is strongly associated with Tony Bennett, it has also been recorded by Frank Sinatra and Paul Desmond, among others. Bennett mentions in concert, as he also does on today’s video, that he loves singing the song so much that he named his first daughter Johanna. For his 1990 album Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, he asked Wells and Segal to write a song for his other daughter, Antonia, which can be heard here. Antonia Bennett is a wonderful singer and often opens for her father in concert.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “When Joanna Loved Me” in 1964 for the album The Many Moods of Tony; the song was arranged and conducted by Marty Manning. It is also collected on his box set: 40/50/60 Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett.

http://open.spotify.com/track/09YTaXc5Sk0rOQ6ighuEaV
“When Joanna Loved Me,” as well as the album The Many Moods of Tony, is available from iTunes.

Because it’s YouTube Saturday, The Year of Tony Bennett is pleased to present Mr. Bennett singing this same song at the 1994 MTV Unplugged telecast. A DVD of the telecast is available from Amazon.

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Song of the Day: When Joanna Loved Me

The song of the day for Tuesday, May 21, 2013 is When Joanna Loved Me.

About This Song

When Joanna Loved Me was written in 1964 by Robert Wells and Jack Segal. This song has always been strongly identified with Tony Bennett, starting with his 1964 recording for The Many Moods Of Tony.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Bennett’s 1994 MTV Unplugged album from his live television concert. I’m quite partial to this recording of this favorite song of his. He reminds us at the beginning that he loves the song so much that he named his first daughter after the song. For me, this is Bennett at his best: approaching the song lightly, just touching on the notes, almost speaking but in perfect pitch and rhythm. As the song progresses, he starts putting more of his full voice in the song, but still with a certain lightness works nicely with Sharon’s accompaniment. And then, at last, leading to the full-out singing of the last verse. Don’t just take my word for it; the audience loved it too.

http://open.spotify.com/track/0kAddd7qjnk7Bdl3v1HxwK
When Joanna Loved Me, as well as the full MTV Unplugged album, is available from iTunes.

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