The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Waltz for Debby

The song of the day for Tuesday, July 9, 2019, is “Waltz for Debby.”

About This Song

Bill Evans composed this song in 1956, soon after leaving the armed services. He wrote it for his young niece, Debby, the daughter of his brother Harold. With the lyrics by Gene Lees, “Waltz For Debby” became a standard for jazz and popular singers.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Waltz for Debby” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. Bennett had previously recorded “Waltz for Debby” in 1964 for his album Who Can I Turn To.

Waltz For Debby

Waltz For Debby, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Evans on Spotify

“Waltz for Debby,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Touch of Your Lips

The song of the day for Friday, June 14, 2019, is “The Touch of Your Lips.”

About This Song

“The Touch of Your Lips” was written in 1936 by Ray Noble. Noble was a popular English bandleader who became quite popular in the US as well. After great success in London, he and his vocalist Al Bowlly appeared at the Rainbow Room in 1934. “The Touch of Your Lips” has been recorded by Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Andy Williams.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “The Touch of Your Lips” in 1975 for their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. This album was released on the Fantasy label, which was the label Bill Evans was associated with. Part of their agreement was to do this first one on Evans’s label and second album, Together Again, on Bennett’s own label Improv.

The Touch Of Your Lips

The Touch Of Your Lips, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Evans on Spotify

“The Touch of Your Lips,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: We’ll Be Together Again

The song of the day for Monday, June 3, 2019, is “We’ll Be Together Again.”

About This Song

“We’ll Be Together Again” was written by Carl T. Fischer in 1945, who was Frankie Laine’s pianist and musical director. Fischer asked Laine to write the lyrics, which he, quite nicely. In addition to the recording by Tony Bennett and Bill Evans, this song has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Frankie Laine.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “We’ll Be Together Again” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. It was released on the Fantasy Label, Evans’s label.

We’ll Be Together Again

We’ll Be Together Again, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Evans on Spotify

“We’ll Be Together Again,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Friday, April 12, 2019, is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written in 1944 by Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the Broadway musical On The Town. The musical tells the story of three sailors on leave in New York City and their romantic adventures. This song is sung at the end by two of the couples. Inexplicably, this beautiful song was cut from the 1949 film version. The song has become a standard for jazz and cabaret artists. Some of the significant recordings of “Some Other Time” include those by Blossom Dearie, The Bill Evans Trio, Betty Carter, The Bill Charlap Trio, and Jane Monheit.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “Some Other Time” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album. I chose one of the additional takes for today, but both versions are wonderful.

I adore this song and the recording by Bennett and Evans. There are phrases from both artists that near bring me to tears.

Some Other Time – Take 7

Some Other Time – Take 7, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Evans on Spotify

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.

I’m a big fan of this recording from the 1960 studio recording of On The Town. The performers are Betty Comden, Nancy Walker, Adolph Green, and Cris Alexander.

On the Town: Act II: Some Other Time

On the Town: Act II: Some Other Time, a song by Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Nancy Walker, Adolph Green, Cris Alexander on Spotify

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Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 3, 2019, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

In the year 2000, part of his 70th birthday celebration at the Library of Congress, Stephen Sondheim chose a list of ‘Songs I Wish I Had Written (At Least in Part).’ On this list were several songs by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, most of which are songs that Tony Bennett has recorded including “When In Rome,” written in 1964.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” for their first album: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, released in 1975. Bill Evans always made the point that including “When In Rome” was his idea, not Tony’s, as he didn’t want listeners to assume that it was included because it was more of popular, saloon-singer kind of song chosen by Tony. Evans liked the chord progressions. That’s jazz.

When In Rome

When In Rome, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Evans on Spotify

“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes.