The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

The Song of the Day for October 2, 2012 is Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

About Are You Havin’ Any Fun?

This song was written for George White’s Scandals of 1939, with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Jack Yellen.

About This Version

We feature Are You Havin’ Any Fun? as we prepare for Viva Duets, which contains a duet of this song with Dani Martín. Today’s version is from the recently remastered album with Count Basie: Strike Up the Band!, from the 1959 Basie/Bennett album. Mr. Bennett also sang the song as duet with Elvis Costello on the original 2006 Duets: An American Classic.

 

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Songs of the Day: The Cole Porter Medley

The Song(s) of the Day for October 1, 2012 is Tony Bennett’s Cole Porter Medley.

About the Cole Porter Medley

This medley contains these Cole Porter songs:

  • What Is This Thing Called Love
  • Love for Sale
  • I’m In Love Again
  • You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To
  • Easy To Love
  • It’s Alright With Me
  • Night and Day
  • Dream Dancing
  • I’ve Got You Under My Skin
  • Get Out of Town
  • What Is This Thing Called Love (reprise)

About This Version

This medley was on Tony Bennett’s first album on his own Improv label, Life Is Beautiful, released in 1972. Torrie Zito arranged the medley for the orchestra and conducted  as well. In his autobiography, The Good Life, points to this medley as a prime example of a project that he could never have gotten done at a major label.

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Thanks to our Readers!

Dear Readers of The Year of Tony Bennett,

The blog just made its first contribution to Exploring the Arts, the foundation created by Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto.  The blog will contribute to ETA each quarter in the name of The Year of Tony Bennett and its followers.

By reading and subscribing to the blog, you are helping support arts education. As school systems all over the United States are being forced to cut their budgets, arts programs are often the first programs to go. If you can, consider supporting the arts in your community.  I know that I benefited greatly from music programs when I attended public schools. I chose the clarinet and would not trade my years of playing in school bands for anything.

Thank you readers!

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Song of the Day: The Best Is Yet To Come

The Song of the Day for September 30, 2012 is The Best Is Yet To Come.

About The Best Is Yet To Come

The Best is Yet To Come was written in 1929 by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh.  The song was written for Tony Bennett, though it has been recorded by many artists, including Frank Sinatra; the phrase “The Best is Yet To Come” is engraved on Sinatra’s tombstone. Other significant recordings include those by Count Basie, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald.

About This Version

We select this song in preparation for the upcoming Viva Duets. Mr. Bennett and Chayanne will be singing this song on the album. Mr. Bennett first recorded the song in 1960, with Mr. Coleman conducting, and was released as a single in February, 1961; the same recording was included on the 1962 I Left My Heart in San Francisco album. He sang it at the 1962 Carnegie Hall concert as well. He and Diane Krall sang it for the original Duets: An American Classic album in 2006 and now again with Chayanne for Viva Duets. He also sings it regularly (though not always) in his live performances.

It’s a great song; Tony Bennett sings many songs written by Cy Coleman, and they are all excellent. Today’s version is from the 1962 Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall.