The song of the day for Monday, December 9, 2024, is “Begin the Beguine.” About Today Today’s song is from Tony Bennett’s 2nd jazz album and third album: The Beat of My Heart. The album was released on December 9, 1957. About This Song “Begin the Beguine” was written by Cole Porter for the 1925 […]
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I felt free enough to start work on The Beat of My Heart, the most ambitious jazz project of my career. Ralph [Sharon] and I wanted to make a jazz statement in a big way, and I came up with the idea of recording an album of standards that put the spotlight on different kinds of rhythm by using all the great jazz drummers I could find. We talked the concept over during our first few months on the road, and gradually it all came together. The first recording date was in June 1957, with Chico Hamilton. I was delighted with the results, particularly with the tongue-twisting, super-percussive title track, “The Beat of My Heart.” Mitch came to the first recording date, but was unusually quiet. Maybe he hoped he was giving us enough rope to hang ourselves. But when the album came out, an army of jazz fans said, Hey, this guy knows how to swing. A whole new audience accepted me—in fact, I still get my biggest reactions at jazz festivals the world over.
Tony Bennett
Song of the Day: Night and Day
The song of the day for Sunday, December 8, 2024, is “Night and Day.” About This Song Cole Porter wrote “Night and Day” for the 1932 musical Gay Divorce, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire. The song became and still is quite popular and certainly a standard in the American songbook. Significant recordings include […]
Song of the Day: Blue and Sentimental
The song of the day for Friday, December 6, 2024, is “Blue and Sentimental.” About This Song “Blue and Sentimental” was written in 1938 by Count Basie, Jerry Livingston, and Mack David. The Count Basie Orchestra recorded it in 1938. It has since been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole, Kay Starr, and Mel Tormé. […]
Song of the Day: Without A Song
The song of the day for Thursday, December 5, 2024, is “Without A Song.” About This Song “Without A Song” was written in 1926 by Vincent Youmans (music) and Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu (lyrics). It was written for the 1929 musical Great Day. It has been recorded by artists from Perry Como to Mario […]