The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Friday, March 16, 2018 is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple, which uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful. The songs were composed by Jerome Moss with lyrics and book by John Latouche.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Lazy Afternoon” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. For me, the song represents the best in Tony Bennett. The Golden Apple was by no means a Broadway hit; it only ran for 125 performances. While “Lazy Afternoon” may be the best-known song from the show, I’m sure it was not especially well-known. A lot of performers might be reluctant to include a song that wasn’t in the mainstream, but Tony Bennett has always had impeccable taste in his choice of the songs he sings and this song is perfect for him and also perfect in terms of arc of this amazing concert.

Lazy Afternoon (From "The Golden Apple") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Lazy Afternoon (From "The Golden Apple") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 20,2014 is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple by Jerome Moss (music) and John Latouche (lyrics), which uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful. This song was introduced in the production, which opened Off-Broadway and then transferred to Broadway, by Kaye Ballard and Jonathan Lucas.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song for his 2nd jazz album (and 3rd LP album), The Beat of My Heart, released in 1957. This album featured collaborations with some of the world’s greatest drummers and percussionists; this song featured Chico Hamilton on drums and John Pisano on guitar (we saw Mr. Pisano on the Diana Krall Live in Paris DVD just a few nights ago). The entire album was arranged and conceived by Tony Bennett and Ralph Sharon. It was Sharon’s first album with Bennett.

Lazy Afternoon

Listen to Lazy Afternoon on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.


“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 25, 2014 is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” is from the 1954 Broadway musical The Golden Apple, with music by Jerome Moross and lyrics by John LaTouche. The musical is modern retelling of parts of The Iliad and The Odyssey and is set in Washington State at Mt. Olympus. “Lazy Afternoon” was introduced by Kaye Ballard and Jonathan Lucas.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Lazy Afternoon” on his second jazz album The Beat of My Heart. Today’s version, though, is from his legendary 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. I can’t think of a much better song on a warm summer day than this.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2EyE7Vrfj2A8LDtyAHR06l
“Lazy Afternoon,” as well Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Thursday, August 29, 2013 is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple by Jerome Moss and John Latouche. The Golden Apple uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses, but is set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States.

About This Version

On a warm and sunny August afternoon in Portland, Oregon (not too many miles from Mount Olympia), I can think of no better song of the day than “Lazy Afternoon.” Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s perfect|extraordinary|incredible|beautiful|legendary live recording of his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2EyE7Vrfj2A8LDtyAHR06l
“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as the complete Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall concert album, is available from iTunes and Amazon.com.

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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Thursday, July 4, 2013 is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

Lazy Afternoon was written for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple by Jerome Moross and John LaTouche. The Golden Apple uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but set in the state of Washington (at Mount Olympia, of course) in the United States. This song, as well as the entire score, is quite beautiful. “Lazy Afternoon” was introduced by Kaye Ballard in the original production.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “Lazy Afternoon” in 1957 for his third album, The Beat of My Heart. Today’s version is from his (brilliant, masterful, incredible, perfect) 1962 performance at Carnegie Hall.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2EyE7Vrfj2A8LDtyAHR06l
“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as the complete Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall album, is available from iTunes.

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