The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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News Flash: Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga announce upcoming album

Ever since their terrific duet of The Lady is a Tramp for Duets II, many people have hoped that Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga would get back together for an entire album.

We’re happy to relay this link to a story in Rolling Stone, announcing that they will indeed be working on a jazz album, working with Marion Evans and a big swing band. They’ll be featuring the music of an as-yet-unnamed composer from the swing era.

I’m hoping for Harold Arlen, myself.

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Song of the Day: Shall We Dance

We’re driving the blues away with the Song of the Day for September 28, 2012: Shall We Dance.

About Shall We Dance

Shall We Dance was written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film of the same name, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire. It’s a great number and we’re happy to present the scene from the film:

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded Shall We Dance for his tribute album to Fred Astaire, Steppin’ Out, released in 1993.

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Viva Duets Preview: Regresa A Mi

Tony Bennett on Twitter: "World premiere of my duet with the incomparable Vicente Fernandez. Enjoy! http://t.co/zJtsdbB9 (@_VicenteFdez) / Twitter"

World premiere of my duet with the incomparable Vicente Fernandez. Enjoy! http://t.co/zJtsdbB9 (@_VicenteFdez)

This song is so beautiful and such a wonderful example of traditional Mexican singing.

Thank you Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Bennett!

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Song of the Day: One For My Baby

The Song of the Day for September 27, 2012 is One For My Baby.

About One For My Baby

This song was written by two of the greatest songwriters who ever lived: Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, for the 1943 film musical The Sky’s The Limit and was introduced by Fred Astaire. It is a very well-known standard and has been recorded by many jazz and popular singers, including Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Frankie Laine, Lena Horne, Marlene Dietrich, Rosemary Clooney and Sammy Davis, Jr. Even the songwriters, both of whom were excellent singers, made recordings of One For My Baby.

Mr. Bennett first recorded this song as a single in 1957. He recorded it again for the 1992 Perfectly Frank and as a duet with John Mayer on Duets II.

About This Version

We choose this live version, as we are still in the thrall of attending two Tony Bennett concerts in two days. Tony Bennett and Lee Musiker seem to be having a lot of fun performing this song in concert.

This version is from the 1962 Carnegie Hall Concert. Make it one for my baby and one more for the road.