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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 24, 2013 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: Just Friends

The song of the day for Friday, May 24, 2013 is Just Friends.

About This Song

Just Friends was written in 1931 by John Klenner with lyrics by Sam M. Lewis. It’s been a popular jazz standard , including vocal versions by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker and Chet Baker.  The song, both the music as well as the lyrics, seem more modern that most songs written in the early 1930s and for that reason has received interesting jazz treatments  and found itself quite at home with bebop stylings.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recording this song for his album with Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett Sings For Two, released in 1961 (even though it was recorded in 1959).  With just Bennett accompanied only by Ralph Sharon, it was an unusual album for that time. This outing gave Bennett and Sharon an opportunity to do a very intimate album. In what must have been a remarkable recording session, Bennett and Sharon recorded sixteen songs in one day and  twelve of those songs are on the album. It is one of my favorites of Tony Bennett’s early albums: two great jazz musicians singing some of the best songs ever written.
http://open.spotify.com/track/5fLeV8El2vqaZs7hYwHwCO
Just Friends, as well as Tony Bennett Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: John Klenner, Ralph Sharon, Sam M. Lewis, Tony Bennett Sings For Two

April 2, 2013 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: Mam’selle

The song of the day for Tuesday, April 2, 2013 is Mam’selle.

About This Song

Mam’selle was written by Edmund Goulding, with lyrics by Mack Gordon. The song was used in the 1947 Tyrone Power movie The Razor’s Edge. Five different recordings of the song reached the top ten list in that same year, including versions by Dick Haymes, Frank Sinatra and Dennis Day. Frankie Laine recorded a jazz version as well.

About This Version

Today’s version is from one of my favorite Tony Bennett albums, Tony Bennett Sings For Two. This album featured just Tony and Ralph Sharon on piano with no other musicians. I only recently discovered that the entire album was recorded in a single session. It’s a beautiful album that features Bennett’s voice perfectly.

http://open.spotify.com/track/25RurDuYwQlN78ijOoCG4N
Mam’selle, as well as Tony Bennett Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Edmund Goulding, Mack Gordon, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett Sings For Two

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