The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Tony Live! Rags to Riches

The song of the day for Sunday, February 23, 2020, is “Rags to Riches.”

About This Song

“Rags to Riches” was written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross in 1953. When Tony Bennett first heard “Rags to Riches,” he hated the song and was forced by Mitch Miller to record it. With a very nice arrangement by Percy Faith, the recording was a big hit for Bennett and earned him a gold record. Thankfully, Bennett grew to enjoy singing the song. Martin Scorcese used the 1953 recording in the opening of Goodfellas, which helped find a new audience for this song.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Rags to Riches” at the Washington DC concert in 1962, as captured on Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962.

“Rags to Riches,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Small World

The song of the day for Sunday, February 16, 2020, is “Small World.”

About This Song

“Small World” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, for the 1959 Broadway musical Gypsy. Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, it tells the story of the mother, Rose, and her two daughters, June and Louise, and her obsession to make it in the vaudeville circuit. The role of Rose was written for Ethel Merman and is one of her finest and most complex roles. “Small World” is sung by Rose and Herbie, who has the misfortune to fall in love with Rose. Gypsy is arguably the best musical ever written and has been revived many times on Broadway.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “Small World” live at his performance for President Kennedy in D.C. in 1962. The concert was released in 2013 as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions Live 1962.

“Small World,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions 1962, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! Just In Time

The song of the day for Saturday, February 15, 2020, is “Just In Time.”

About This Song

“Just In Time” was written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, for the 1956 Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing. The song was introduced by Judy Holliday and Sidney Chaplin. Holliday and Dean Martin sang it in the 1960 film version of Bells Are Ringing.

About This Version

Just a few weeks after his triumphant performance at Carnegie Hall, Tony Bennett was invited by President Kennedy to perform at the White House for the interns whose service had come to an end. In addition to Bennett, The Dave Brubeck Quartet was also invited. The concert was originally to be performed in the Rose Garden, but there was so much interest in the concert that it was moved to the mall by the Washington tower.

Tony Bennett sang “Just In Time” at the White House concert on August 28, 2020, with the Ralph Sharon Trio, featuring Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

Though the entire concert was taped, the tapes had been thought long lost. In fact, it wasn’t until 2012 that they were found–in the Sony/Columbia classical section. Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions was released in May 2013.

“Just In Time,” as well as Bennett/Brubeck: The White House Sessions is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! A Sleepin’ Bee

The song of the day for Sunday, February 9, 2020, is “A Sleepin’ Bee.”

About This Song

“A Sleepin’ Bee” was written by Harold Arlen and Truman Capote for the 1954 musical House of Flowers, based on the Capote novella. Set in Haiti, the production featured a trio of steel drummers (more precisely known as pannists) from Trinidad.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “A Sleepin’ Bee” for his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. I really love the single piano accompaniment. The entire concert was recorded and released on “Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.”

“A Sleepin’ Bee,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.

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Tony Live! I’ve Got the World on a String

The song of the day for Sunday, February 2, 2020, is “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got the World on a String” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler for the 1932 Cotton Club Parade, where it was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby. Alec Wilder, in American Popular Song, considers it one of Arlen’s loveliest songs.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “I’ve Got the World on a String” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall. The concert was recorded and released as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.

“I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, is available from iTunes.