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 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

Tony Bennett · The Beat Of My Heart · 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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Song of the Day: Lazy Afternoon

The Song of the Day for Monday, November 5, 2012 is Lazy Afternoon.

About Lazy Afternoon

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.  The music was written by  Jerome Moross, with lyrics by John Treville Latouche.

The Golden Apple is interesting not only because of its unusual premise, but that it was sung-through musical, along the lines of Porgy and Bess, Candide and The Most Happy Fella. Even though the score was very well received, it has been considered more of a “cult” musical and there was never an original cast album. Not until 2009 was the complete piano-vocal score published. The song was introduced in the original production by Kaye Ballard, and became a jazz standard. In addition to Mr. Bennett’s recording, it has also been recorded by artists such as Eartha Kitt, Sarah Vaughan, John Coltrane, George Shearing,  June Christy, and Joe Henderson, among others.

Correction: The original cast album of the 1954 production of The Golden Apple is available and may be purchased at Amazon.com and other retailers. My apologies.

About This Version

This version comes from Tony Bennett’s 1962 Carnegie Hall concert.   It’s beautifully sung by Mr. Bennett in that concert.  The recording for the Carnegie Hall concert is available as double CD and for download at iTunes. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves the music of Tony Bennett.  I’ve said it before, and shall say again, that it’s one of the finest live recordings ever made.  From the Carnegie Hall website:

He had the Carnegie Hall audience in the palm of his hand throughout this marathon concert. Accompanied by an outstanding lineup that included Al Cohn on tenor saxophone, Kenny Burrell on guitar, Candido Camero on percussion, and his longtime pianist Ralph Sharon, Bennett worked his way through 44 songs and medleys. The original vinyl release featured just 28 tracks on a double album. It was not until the 1997 CD release that fans could experience the full program.

I chose this song today simply because I was listening to this album in the car today and was struck immediately by what a wonderful song it is and how beautifully it is sung.  And not bad way to ease into a Monday.