The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Moment Of Truth

The song of the day for Friday, October 31, 2014 is “The Moment Of Truth.”

About This Song

“The Moment of Truth” was written in 1963 by Tex Satterwhite and Frank Scott. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recordings, this song has also been recorded by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

Today’s version is from Tony Bennett’s 1963 album This Is All I Ask. This song, along with the rest of the album, was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns, who has a great feel for the big band sound. I really like the chimes at the beginning and the little vamp that follows before Bennett starts singing. Bennett also featured this song in his show at the Sahara — Live at the Sahara: From This Moment On, the recording of which was recently released.

The Moment Of Truth

Listen to The Moment Of Truth on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“The Moment of Truth,” as well as This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Keep Smiling At Trouble

The song of the day for Saturday, March 8 , 2014 is “Keep Smiling At Trouble.”

About This Song

“Keep Smiling At Trouble” was composed in 1924 by Lewis Gensler, with lyrics by Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. The song was first recorded by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians in 1924, with vocals by his brother, Tom Waring. Other noted recordings were by Jolson, Ruby Braff, Tommy Dorsey, Della Reese and Bobby Hackett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett has recorded this song several times. Today’s version is from his 1963 album This Is All I Ask. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns and produced by Ernie Altschuler. The album features the Ralph Sharon Trio.

http://open.spotify.com/track/7xcWqpzuKjL6pvCC4GoPwc
“Keep Smiling At Trouble,” as well as the album This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

Our Saturday YouTube video is Tony Bennett singing today’s song on the Judy Garland television show!

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Song of the Day: Long About Now

The song of the day for Sunday, February 2, 2014 is “Long About Now.”

About This Song

“Long About Now” was written in 1962, with music by Fred Hellerman and lyrics by Fran Minkoff. Hellerman was one of the founding members of The Weavers, along with Pete Seeger, who passed away this week at the age of 94. Like Seeger, Hellerman and The Weavers were black-listed due to their so-called Communist leanings. Unable to perform in the United States, The Weavers broke up in 1952. Fran Minkoff wrote several songs with Hellerman, including the anti-war song “Come Away Melinda.” Like many of the songs by Hellerman and Minkoff, “Long About Now” was first recorded by Harry Belafonte.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Long About Now” in 1963 for the album This Is All I Ask. The album was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns and produced by Ernie Altschuler and featured the Ralph Sharon Trio.

http://open.spotify.com/track/209NqmEJmOwSv6XgCw4HtB
“Long About Now,” as well as the album This Is All I Ask, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Moment of Truth

The song of the day for Wednesday, April 10, 2013 is The Moment of Truth.

About This Song

The Moment of Truth was written by Tex Satterwhite and Frank Scott. I’ve not been able to find out much about either composer, other than Frank Scott worked with Lawrence Welk and that they wrote the song in 1963. It’s a terrific song and has been recorded by Peggy Lee (or Miss Peggy Lee, as I always call her) and Vic Damone. The Peggy Lee version is very good.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded a performance at the Sahara in Las Vegas on April 8, 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio and an orchestra led by Louis Basil. The performance was recorded by Bennett’s long-time recording engineer Frank Laico and was intended to be released as an album. The album was finally released as part of the 2011 Tony Bennett Complete Collection.

Bennett called the show The Moment of Truth, and the show both opens and closes with that song.  In between is a fantastic performance by Bennett and even a comedy interlude with Milton Berle, Danny Thomas and Mickey Rooney.  I wish I could point you to a location to hear this show, but as far as I know, it’s only available in the boxed Complete Collection. I recommend this concert recording highly.

Today’s version is from Bennett’s 1963 album This Is All I Ask. It has much of the same energy and punch as the concert version, with a wonderful arrangement by Ralph Burns.

http://open.spotify.com/track/39yeBiimbSr3Iimz0ckReB
The Moment of Truth, as well as the remastered This Is All I Ask album, is available from iTunes.