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 Saturday, January 6, 2018 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. In America Popular Song, author Alec Wilder 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 his album Tony Makes It Happen! The arrangement is Marion Evans, who is a good friend to this blog.

Old Devil Moon

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


“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Tony Bennett also sang “Old Devil Moon” at his MTV Unplugged concert in 1994. I’m pleased to present a video of his performance.

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Song of the Day: Over the Rainbow

The song of the day for Sunday, November 5, 2017 is “Over The Rainbow.”

About This Song

“Over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for Judy Garland to sing in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The producers wanted to cut the song from the film, as they felt it slowed downed the movie. Thankfully, the preview audiences preferred the movie with the song. “Over The Rainbow” ranked as the #1 song of the 20th century per the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment of the Arts.The song has always been closely associated with Judy Garland. In a letter to Harold Arlen, Judy Garland wrote that the song “… has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Over the Rainbow” in 1995 for the album Here’s To The Ladies.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Listen to Somewhere over the Rainbow on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1995


“Over the Rainbow,” as well as Here’s To The Ladies, is available from iTunes.

I’m also pleased to present this lovely and timeless video of Yip Harburg talking about and singing today’s song.

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Song of the Day: That Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Monday, September 25, 2017 is “That Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written for the 1947 musical Finian’s Rainbow by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg, 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 kicked off his 1994 MTV Unplugged television performance with “Old Devil Moon,” with the Ralph Sharon Trio, which featured Doug Richeson on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums.

Old Devil Moon - Live

Listen to Old Devil Moon - Live on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1994


“Old Devil Moon,” as well as MTV Unplugged, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Old Devil Moon

The song of the day for Sunday, August 20, 2017 is “Old Devil Moon.”

About This Song

“Old Devil Moon” was written by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg for the 1947 Broadway 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

Today’s version of “Old Devil Moon” is from the 1967 album Tony Makes It Happen! and features a wonderful arrangement by Marion Evans.

Old Devil Moon

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


“Old Devil Moon,” as well as Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Monday, July 31, 2017 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 on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae and, of course, Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Were Young” in 1959 for the 1960 album To My Wonderful One. The arrangement was by Frank DeVol, who arranged and conducted the album.

Last Night When We Were Young

Listen to Last Night When We Were Young on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1960


“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as To My Wonderful One, is available from iTunes.

About Today

Today marks the end of our look at Mitch Miller, which includes some of Bennett’s greatest recordings as well as others that many would sooner forget. However, we must never forget that it was Mitch Miller who signed Tony Bennett to Columbia, and for that many of us are eternally grateful.