The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: When In Rome

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 30, 2022, is “When In Rome.”

About This Song

“When In Rome” was written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh in 1964. In the year 2000, as 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.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “When In Rome” in 1975 for their first album: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“When In Rome,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Wednesday, February 23, 2022, is “But Beautiful.”

About This Song

“But Beautiful” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke for Bing Crosby to sing in the movie The Road to Rio. The song has been widely recorded, including recordings by Bill Evans, Johnny Hartman, Billie Holiday, Gregory Porter, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “But Beautiful” in 1975 for their first album, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“But Beautiful,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Tuesday, February 22, 2022, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was written in 1949 by Victor Young and Ned Washington for a widely-panned film of the same name, based on a J.D. Salinger short story. Time magazine excoriated the score: “nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.” I guess it wasn’t the first, or last, time that Time missed the mark, as this song ranks #6 on the jazzstandards.com website. Significant recordings include those by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett, The Bill Evans Trio, Ann Hampton Calloway, Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole, Chet Baker, and many more.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in 1975 for their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the Bill Evans Trio recording of “My Foolish Heart” from 1961, with Paul Motian on drums and Scott LaFaro on bass.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Some Other Time

The song of the day for Saturday, October 16, 2021, is “Some Other Time.”

About This Song

“Some Other Time” was written by Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the 1944 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.

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 know I play this song fairly often, but it’s such a remarkable recording that I can’t help myself. Just listen to the last few seconds, to how long Tony holds the final “time” and Evans lightly plays the right hand to the highest note possible, and then, with just a moment of silence, he plays that final chord. It’s breathtaking.

Some Other Time

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975

“Some Other Time,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

By Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: The Touch Of Your Lips

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 13, 2021, 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.

The Touch Of Your Lips

Bill Evans, Tony Bennett · The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1975

“The Touch Of Your Lips,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.