The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 30, 2022, is “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

About This Song

“The Best Is Yet To Come” was written in 1959 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. some say that today’s song was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sang it regularly at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “The Best Is Yet To Come” live at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall , captured on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“The Best Is Yet To Come,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 24, 2022, is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Speak Low” on June 9, 1962, at Tony Bennett’s concert at Carnegie Hall. This song wasn’t released on the original 1962 release of the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall but was included in the full CD release in 1997.

“Speak Low,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: All The Things You Are

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 23, 2022, is “All The Things You Are.”

About This Song

“All The Things You Are” was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein for the 1939 musical Very Warm For May. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder considers it to be one of Kern’s finest songs and with good reason. It’s a beautiful tune and Hammerstein’s lyrics are excellent.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded all the things you are on June 9, 1962, at his legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra. The concert was recorded and released later that year on Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“All The Things You Are,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: De Glory Road

The song of the day for Wednesday, June 30, 2021, is “De Glory Road.”

About Today

Today’s marks the end of our deep dive into Tony Bennett’s legendary concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962. It’s been a pleasure to explore these songs so deeply — I hope you’ve enjoyed it as well.

About This Song

“De Glory Road” was written in 1928, with music by Jacques Wolfe and lyrics by Clement Wood. De Glory Road began as a poem written by a white, socialist, native Alabamian lawyer and writer named Clement Wood, who published the poem in 1928. Wood is also the author of the Clement Wood Rhyming Dictionary, the 1939 edition of which is Stephen Sondheim’s preferred rhyming dictionary.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “De Glory Road” in March 1962 for the album On The Glory Road; however, the release of that album was canceled at the very last minute. Bennett decided to close out his Carnegie Hall concert with this song and invited percussionist Candido to play on this song.

In his autobiography The Good Life, Bennett relates his choice of “De Glory Road” to close the concert.

I needed something really special to close with. I’d start out with old favorites, but I wanted to end with something that nobody had ever heard me sing before, something unexpected. Tony Tamburello suggested the spiritual “Glory Road.” Candido added to the success of “Glory Road” by playing a wonderful solo in the middle of it that drove the crowd wild.

“De Glory Road,” as well as the other songs Tony Bennett sang are captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to De Glory Road - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.

“De Glory Road,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Sing You Sinners

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 29, 2021, is “Sing You Sinners.”

About This Song

“Sing You Sinners” was written by W. Franke Harlin and Sam Coslow in 1930 for a movie called Honey. which starred Lillian Roth. This song has been recorded by artists including Mel Torme, Fletcher Henderson, Rosemary Clooney, and Manhattan Transfer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded two single releases of “Sing You Sinners:” The first was in 1950 with an arrangement by Marty Manning; the second in 1955 with an arrangement by Percy Faith. The 1955 version seems to have been the definitive version of the 1950s. Bennett sang “Sing You Sinners” at his 1962 Carnegie Hall concert, which was captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall.

Sing You Sinners (From "Honey") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to Sing You Sinners (From "Honey") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett, Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra · Song · 1962.

“Sing You Sinners,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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