The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Thursday, August 7, 2014 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. While the pair is best-known for their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, “The Rules of the Road” was not written for a show. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney.

But I think that Tony Bennett completely owns this song and always will.

About This Version

Today’s version of “The Rules of the Road” is from Bennett’s 1964 album When Lights Are Low. Bennett is accompanied on this album by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

I’ve been listening to When Lights Are Low all week and especially to “The Rules of the Road.” Regular readers know that this song is a favorite of mine; I choose it often. He’s made several different recordings of this song and each has its own distinct take. I really do love this version, though. I hope you do too.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3Ym1D0K9Qk4PTK2Iw2Z6It
“The Rules of the Road,” as well as the remastered album When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: On Green Dolphin Street

The song of the day for Monday, June 16, 2014 is “On Green Dolphin Street.”

About This Song

“On Green Dolphin Street” was composed by Bronislaw Kaper with lyrics by Ned Washington for the 1947 movie Green Dolphin Street. It became a jazz standard in 1958 with the recording by Miles Davis. The song ranks #25 on the jazzstandards.org website. Other significant recordings include those by Joe Henderson, Miles Davis with John Coltrane and Bill Evans.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On Green Dolphin Street” in 1964 for his album with the Ralph Sharon Trio, When Lights Are Low. The trio consisted of Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3JJvrgeAhYNuG3V70sA300
“On Green Dolphin Street,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: The Rules of the Road

The song of the day for Sunday, April 20, 2014 is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

While Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh are best-known for their scores for Broadway musicals, such as Little Me and Wildcat, “The Rules of the Road” was not written for a show. The song was written in 1961. In addition to several recordings by Tony Bennett, the song has also been recorded by Lena Horne, Shirley Horne, Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney. But as far as I’m concerned, Tony Bennett completely owns this song.

About This Version

Yes, this may very well be my favorite Tony Bennett song. A few months ago, I featured the version from I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Today’s version is from When Lights Are Low. No big orchestra, no big brassy open. Just Ralph Sharon, Billy Exiner and Hal Gaylord. It’s intimate and personal. And kind of wonderful.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3Ym1D0K9Qk4PTK2Iw2Z6It
“The Rules of the Road,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ve Got Just About Everything

The song of the day for Thursday, April 17, 2014 is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

This wonderful song was written by the great Bob Dorough. Readers of a certain age may remember Dorough as the composer for Schoolhouse Rock, which had its first broadcast in 1973. Dorough lives and works in Pennsylvania at the age of 91. He and Dave Frishberg performed together at the Portland Jazz Festival this year.

About This Version

Your author came home from work today completely and totally exhausted. After dinner, we sat down for a little dish of ice cream while listening to our local Portland jazz station, KMHD, as I wondered aloud what song I would feature for Thursday’s song. And then, we heard just the first few bars of “I’ve Got Just About Everything” and the decision was made. I adore this song and nothing in the world cheers me up like listening to Tony Bennett sing it. It’s a wonderful arrangement and the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums, is just great.

http://open.spotify.com/track/32ne5iCh5B7geOvcX8PQsu
“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as the album When Lights Are Low,” is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Spring is Here

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 20,2014 is “Spring Is Here.”

About This Song

“Spring Is Here” was written in 1938 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for the musical I Married An Angel. Reviewer Brooks Atkinson called it “one of the best musical comedies of many seasons, an imaginative improvisation with a fully orchestrated score and an extraordinarily beautiful production. Musical comedy has met its masters.” Certainly this rather sad but beautiful songs is one of their best.

There have been some great recordings of “Spring Is Here,” including those by Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, Anita O’Day, John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra and Maxine Sullivan.

About This Version

Today’s version of “Spring Is Here” is from Tony Bennett’s wonderful 1964 album When Lights Are Low. At a time when most albums featured full orchestras, Bennett recorded this jazz album with The Ralph Sharon Trio, including Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums. There’s not a bad song on this album and many fine ones. After you’ve taken a moment to listen to “Spring Is Here,” check out Bob Donough’s terrific “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

http://open.spotify.com/track/1qW9XVcobbxYHjlAh5Kewp
“Spring Is Here,” as well as The Complete Improv Recordings, is available from iTunes.

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