The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, November 14, 2021, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

“Old Devil Moon” was the first song Tony Bennett performed for his now-legendary live performance on MTV Unplugged on April 12, 1994. Singing with The Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano, Doug Richeson on bass, and Clayton Cameron on drums), Tony Bennett was ecstatically received. The resulting album, MTV Unplugged, won the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance and Album of the Year.

The performance on television and the resulting album was key to introducing Tony Bennett to a completely new audience.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged is available on Apple Music.

We are delighted to include a video of “Old Devil Moon” from the performance.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Saturday, November 5, 2021, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Arlen considered “Last Night When We Were Young” to be one of his favorite songs. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1992 for Perfectly Frank.

I love this recording — Bennett’s phrasing, which is always very good, is impeccable in this song.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Monday, August 2, 2021, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

Tony Bennett Week

Tony Bennett has made many excellent recordings of Harold Arlen songs — so many, in fact, that two of his Arlen songs have made it to my list of Seven of Tony’s greatest recordings. Today’s song is very special.

About This Song

“Last Night When We Were Young” was written in 1935 by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder wrote:

This is a most remarkable markable and beautiful song. It is one which goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music. For me, it is a concert song without a trace of trying to be. It hasn’t any artiness about it or pretense. It’s obviously deeply felt, both by the composer and the lyricist, E. Y. Harburg. It is written with such intensity that it gives the illusion of being a song of great range, whereas it is only one step beyond an octave!

All in all, it’s a very beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included it on his excellent album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra: Perfectly Frank.

Last Night When We Were Young

Listen to Last Night When We Were Young on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, July 11, 2021, is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written in 1947 by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the musical Finian’s Rainbow, which also gave us “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?” While Alec Wilder was no fan of “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?”, in America Popular Song, he praises “Old Devil Moon” as “a well-written, wholly convincing song. It drives, and its initial intensity is sustained throughout.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Old Devil Moon” in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen!. The entire album was arranged by Marion Evans; this album marks the first time they worked together.

Old Devil Moon

Listen to Old Devil Moon on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.

“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen! is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: What Good Does It Do

The song of the day for is “What Good Does It Do.”

About This Song

“What Good Does It Do” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1957 Broadway musical Jamaica, which starred Lena Horne and Ricardo Montálban; the principal dancer was Alvin Ailey. Yarburg had been blacklisted during the McCarthy period and was unable to work in film or TV from 1951 to 1962. Fortunately, producer David Merrick and Broadway welcomed Yarburg. Jamaica was nominated for major Tony Awards, including Best Musical, all the acting nominations and both scenic and costume design, though it lost to The Music Man.

About This Version

Tony Bennett sang “What Good Does It Do” at his 1962 concert at Carnegie Hall, which was captured on Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall. Bennett had previously recorded the song for his 1960 album Tony Bennett Sings a String of Harold Arlen.

What Good Does It Do (From "Jamaica") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962

Listen to What Good Does It Do (From "Jamaica") - Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY - June 1962 on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1962.

“What Good Does It Do,” as well as Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall is available on Apple Music.

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