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, September 19, 2019, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About Today

Today is your blogger’s birthday and so I’m treating myself. I really love this song and especially this version.

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low. This album uses the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Sharon on piano, Hal Gaylord on bass, and Billy Exiner on drums.

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as 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, July 11, 2019, is “I’ve Got Just About Everything.”

About This Song

Written by the marvelous jazz pianist and composer Bob Dorough, this song is a true joy to listen to. In his liner notes for Forty/Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett, Bennett says that “this one explains how a singer feels when he sings a song everyone likes.”

Bob Dorough recently passed away. In the early days of this blog, I wrote to Bob about how much I liked this song and enjoyed featuring in here. He wrote back. thanking me for writing. He was a lovely man and a fine composer and performer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got Just About Everything” in 1964 with The Ralph Sharon Trio for his album When Lights Are Low. This recording clearly demonstrates the excellence of the trio. Listening to Sharon on piano, Billy Exiner on drums, and Hal Gaylord on bass, I can’t imagine a better recording.

I’ve Got Just About Everything – 2011 Remaster

I’ve Got Just About Everything – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“I’ve Got Just About Everything,” as well as 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 Wednesday, July 4, 2019, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” in 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low. Bennett first recorded this song in 1961–a strong and confident, uptempo version. This recording from 1964 is slower and more introspective. Both versions are wonderful.

The Rules Of The Road – 2011 Remaster

The Rules Of The Road – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as 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 Saturday, June 1, 2019, is “The Rules of the Road.”

About This Song

“The Rules of the Road” was written in 1961 by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh. 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.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “The Rules of the Road” for his 1964 album with The Ralph Sharon Trio: When Lights Are Low.

It’s no secret that this one of my favorite songs recorded by Tony Bennett. I invite to compare this 1964 version with Bennett’s original 1961 recording. It’s the mark of a great jazz singer to pull off these recordings with such a different emotional impact for the listener. Well, at least this listener.

The Rules Of The Road – 2011 Remaster

The Rules Of The Road – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“The Rules of the Road,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

Rules of the Road

Rules of the Road, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

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Song of the Day: Oh! You Crazy Moon

The song of the day for Friday, March 15, 2019, is “Oh! You Crazy Moon.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Oh! You Crazy Moon,” was written in 1939. It was the first song that Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke wrote together in what would be a long and successful partnership. The bouncy, uptempo song gained immediate popularity and was widely recorded.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Oh! You Crazy Moon” 1964 with the Ralph Sharon Trio for the album When Lights Are Low.

Oh! You Crazy Moon – 2011 Remaster

Oh! You Crazy Moon – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify

“Oh! You Crazy Moon,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

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