The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 13, 2013 is “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.”

About This Song

“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” was written by Harold Arlen (music) and Ted Koehler (lyrics) in 1931 for The Cotton Club. Early on, it was recorded by Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. Other noted recordings include this one by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. George Harrison recorded it for his last album, Brainwashed.

About This Version

My readers know about my love of Harold Arlen and it’s been a while since I’ve featured a Harold Arlen song. Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s 1964 album Who Can I Turn To, produced by Ernie Altschuler. The album was arranged and conducted by George Siravo and features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

http://open.spotify.com/track/0w2zSgxWS1fwSkA4dNwWnq
“Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” as well as the album Who Can I Turn To, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

The song of the day for Monday, August 19, 2013 is “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams.”

About This Song

“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” is a classic Depression-era song written by Harry Barris with lyrics by Ted Koehler and Billy Moll. The song was written in and 1931; Bing Crosby was the first person to record this song.

About This Version

Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s 1964 album Who Can I Turn To. This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged by George Siravo and produced by Ernie Altschuler.

http://open.spotify.com/track/669cS5WKTDpyMn3A1Tg7EJ
“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,” as well as the album Who Can I Turn To, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Who Can I Turn To

The song of the day for Monday, July 8, 2013 is “Who Can I Turn To.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Who Can I Turn To,” was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley for the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Who Can I Turn To” in 1964 just as producer David Merrick was getting ready do a national tour of The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd. Because of the great popularity of this song and the album, the interest in the stage production grew and the tour was a big success. Merrick opened the show on Broadway in 1965.

http://open.spotify.com/track/2FXk3LhwfbziRcCg8Rp0fN
“Who Can I Turn To,” as well as the album Who Can I Turn To, is available from iTunes.