The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 27, 2023, is “Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written by Jerome Moss and John LaTouche for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple. The musical uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but is 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lazy Afternoon” 66 years ago today, June 27, 1957, for his album The Beat of My Heart. Bennett invited many notable percussionists to play on the recordings; Chico Hamilton played for “Lazy Afternoon.” Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Lazy Afternoon,” as well as The Beat of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The song of the day for Saturday, July 30, 2022, is ” Lazy Afternoon.”

About This Song

“Lazy Afternoon” was written by Jerome Moss and John LaTouche for the 1954 musical The Golden Apple, which uses mythological Greek characters from Ulysses but is 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Lazy Afternoon” on June 27, 1957, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. It was released in 1957 on the album The Beat of My Heart. Chico Hamilton is the featured percussionist for this song,

” Lazy Afternoon,” as well as The Beat Of My Heart is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

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, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.


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

By Leave a Comment

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.

By 1 Comment

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.

Subscribe to The Year of Tony Bennett

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Current Reader Favorites