The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Comes Once In A Lifetime

The song of the day for Thursday, February 1, 2018 is “Comes Once In A Lifetime.”

About This Song

“Comes Once in a Lifetime” is from the 1961 musical Subways Are For Sleeping, with a musical score by Jule Styne and the lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. The musical was based on a true story first reported in Harper’s Magazine about well-dressed homeless people who slept on subways in New York. In addition to Tony Bennett’s recording, it was a favorite song for Judy Garland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Comes Once In a Lifetime” on September 9, 1961. It was released as a single that year and was also included on the album Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, released on March 16, 1962. The arrangement was done by Marty Manning.

Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits was the first album that Tony Bennett released in 1962.

Comes Once In A Lifetime

Listen to Comes Once In A Lifetime on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1962


“Comes Once In A Lifetime,” as well as Mr. Broadway: Tony’s Greatest Broadway Hits, is available from iTunes.

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1962

You should all know by now that your author loves the music of Tony Bennett–it’s why I started this blog and it’s why I built the interactive discography. Over the years, I’ve listened to all of his recordings many times over and have found many recordings that I adore: from all albums and all the decades of his incredible career.

But one year stands out for me more than any other: 1962. Here’s a quick review of some highlights from 1962:

  • The concert at Carnegie Hall
  • His live appearance at the request of President Kennedy, along with Dave Brubeck
  • The release of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”
  • Grammy awards for Record of the Year (“I Left My Heart in San Francisco”) and Best Solo Vocal Performance (Male)
  • The release of several albums: Mr. Broadway, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall and what should have been released that year, but was canceled at the last minute: On The Glory Road
  • The recording of all of the songs for the album I Wanna Be Around

By any measurement, the year of 1962 for Tony Bennett was absolutely remarkable. For that reason, I’ll be examining the greatness of 1962 for February and March of this year, including songs and albums recorded or released in that year.

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Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Wednesday, January 31, 2018 is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland to sing in the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man That Got Away” with Ralph Sharon for their album Tony Sings For Two which was released in February 1961. Bennett and Sharon entered the CBS 30th Street Studio on October 28, 1959 with a briefcase full of sheet music. In that one day, they chose and recorded 16 songs, most of them on the first or second take, 12 of which wound up on the album. It was a mammoth recording session that resulted in a magnificent album.

The Man That Got Away

Listen to The Man That Got Away on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1961


“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available from iTunes.

Here’s a video of Judy Garland and “The Man That Got Away” from A Star is Born.

About Today

I thank you for letting me indulge myself by playing some of my very favourite of Tony’s recordings. Tune in tomorrow for a special monthly theme that I hope you’ll enjoy.

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Song of the Day: I’m Just a Lucky So and So

The song of the day for Tuesday, January 30, 2018 is “I’m Just a Lucky So and So.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” was written in 1945 by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Mack David. A favorite song of Tony Bennett, “I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So” has also been recorded by Billy Eckstine, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “I’m Just a Lucky So and So” in 1957 for his album Tony; he also sang it at his legendary 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. Our version today is from his 1999 tribute album to Duke Ellington, released in Ellington’s 100th anniversary year: Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool. Ralph Burns wrote the fine arrangement. Your author adores this album.

I"m Just A Lucky So And So

Listen to I"m Just A Lucky So And So on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1999


“I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” as well as Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool, is available from iTunes.

Tony Bennett’s portrait of Duke Ellington hangs in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian. You can read about the donation ceremony and listen to Bennett’s remarks here:

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Song of the Day: The Good Life

The song of the day for Monday, January 29, 2018 is “The Good Life.”

About This Song

“The Good Life” was written in 1962 by Sacha Distel, with lyrics by Jack Reardon. Originally titled “La Belle Vie,” “The Good Life” was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. Tony Bennett is the singer most widely identified with “The Good Life;” other good recordings include those by Betty Carter, Carmen McRae and Stephane Grappelli. It has been said that Distel wrote this song about Bridgette Bardot, who refused Distel’s marriage proposal.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Good Life” in 1962 for the album I Wanna Be Around, released in 1963. Marty Manning wrote the arrangement.

The Good Life

Listen to The Good Life on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1963


“The Good Life,” as well as I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today, we honor Sacha Distel, who was born on January 29, 1933 in Paris, France. In addition to composing, Distel was a famed guitarist and singer. He was awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur in 1997. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 71.

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