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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 5, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, May 6, 2021, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Willard Robison. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. … He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road. The album was canceled at the last moment. While some songs recorded for On The Glory Road made it to other albums, today’s song wasn’t made available until the album was released as part of the 2011 Complete Collection box set. Ralph Sharon wrote the very effective arrangement.

Revolvin" Jones

Listen to Revolvin" Jones on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as on The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: On The Glory Road, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Willard Robison

October 7, 2020 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, October 8, 2020, is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was written in 1940 by Willard Robison. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote:

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs, but generally, his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

Today I was listening to Diana Krall’s new album, This Dream Of You, which includes a lovely rendition of “Don’t Smoke In Bed” and so I decided to feature this song by Willard Robison.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” for the album On The Glory Road, which was all set for release in 1962: it had been manufactured and was ready to ship, but Columbia canceled the release at the very last minute. Some of the songs on the album were included on subsequent albums. Thankfully, the album was included in the 2011 Complete Collection box set.

Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.

“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Diana Krall, On The Glory Road, Ralph Sharon, Tony Bennett, Willard Robison

August 16, 2017 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Thursday, August 17, 2017 is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Revolvin’ Jones,” was written in 1940 by Willard Robison. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.” In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote that

Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. … He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road, which was pulled from release at the last moment. Until the release of the Tony Bennett Complete Collection box set in 2011, several songs from the album were never released, including this song. Fortunately, the album is now available to be downloaded from iTunes.

This is a sly, humorous and charming song and Tony Bennett seems to enjoy the singing of it very much. I know I enjoy hearing him sing this song very much.

Revolvin" Jones

Listen to Revolvin" Jones on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: On The Glory Road, Tony Bennett, Willard Robison

November 12, 2016 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Sunday, November 13, 2016 is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was was written in 1940 by Will Robison, who met and collaborated with Jack Teagarden. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.”
In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote that “Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Revolvin’ Jones” in 1962 for the album On The Glory Road, though at the last minute Columbia decided to not release the album. Thankfully, this jewel of an album was included in Bennett’s 2011 Complete Collection and now is available for downloading on iTunes.

I adore this song. No matter how bad a mood I’m in, this song always makes me smile and laugh. I hope it does the same for you.

Revolvin" Jones

Listen to Revolvin" Jones on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: On The Glory Road, Willard Robison

August 16, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Revolvin’ Jones

The song of the day for Sunday, August 16, 2015 is “Revolvin’ Jones.”

About This Song

“Revolvin’ Jones” was was written in 1940 by Will Robison, who met and collaborated with Jack Teagarden. Other well-known Robison songs include “A Cottage For Sale” and “Don’t Smoke in Bed.”

Willard Robison
Willard Robison

In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote that “Everybody loved him and many tried to help him, among them John Mercer. Mildred Bailey revered him and sang every song of his she could lay her hands on. I became aware of him in the late twenties when he recorded for Perfect Records. … He did manage, during his almost euphoric life, to write a few successful songs … but generally his songs were known only to a few singers and lovers of the off-beat and the non-urban song. He had a special flair for gentleness and childhood, the lost and the religious. I suppose it’s not part of the growth of popular music, nor perhaps were any of Robison’s songs. But if they could so much bolster John Mercer’s conviction that there was more to write lyrics about than city life, that the world of memory, of remembered sayings and scenes, was as evocative as the whispered words of lovers, then he did make a contribution.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett’s recording of “Revolvin’ Jones” was made in 1962 for an album titled On The Glory Road. At the very last moment, it was decided to not release the album at all. While some songs recorded for On The Glory Road turned up on other albums, others did not, including “Revolvin’ Jones.” Fortunately for us all, the album was including in the 2011 Complete Collection and is now available for download from iTunes. It’s a charming and funny song and it seems that Bennett has a great time with it. The song was arranged by Ralph Sharon and the album was produced by Ernie Altschuler.

Revolvin" Jones

Listen to Revolvin" Jones on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.


“Revolvin’ Jones,” as well as On the Glory Road, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: On The Glory Road, Willard Robison

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