AL’S COMMENTS:  I have always loved this song by Ervin Drake, which Frank Sinatra made famous. But to me it lacked a certain depth. If a man looks back at his life assessing it only by the qualities of the women to whom he made love, he has missed out on quite a bit.

In my own 39th year, I had a very inward-facing year that changed a lot for me. I wrote the "year 39" verse and added it. In order to record it I had to get Ervin Drake's "sign-off" through his publisher, who had to send him my new verse. To my delight, he signed off on it.

Now, on to all those fabulous women...

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it was a very good year (Click here to preview/download an MP3.) Or click below to download from iTunes:

When I was 17
it was a very good year
It was a very good year for small-town girls
and soft summer nights
We’d hide from the lights on the village green
When I was 17

When I was 21
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for city girls
who lived up the stairs
With all their perfumed hair, I watched it come undone
When I was 21

When I was 35
t was a very good year
It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls
of independent means
We’d ride in limousines, their chauffeurs would drive
When I was 35

When I was 39
It was a very good year
It was a very good year for solitude
And paradigm shift
I was showered with gifts, it was a heavenly sign
When I was 39

And when the days grow short
In the autumn of my years
I will look at my life like vintage wine
From fine old kegs
From the brim to the dregs, it will flow sweet and clear
It was a very good year
It was a very good year, a very good year. Yeah

Musicians:
Al Polito: Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Chet McCracken: Drums
Scotty Manzo: Bass

Recorded at Rocky Road Ranch Studios
Produced by Scotty Manzo and Al Polito