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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

June 18, 2013 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: But Beautiful

The song of the day for Tuesday, June 18, 2103 is “But Beautiful.”

About But Beautiful

“But Beautiful” was written in 1947 by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was written for the Bob Hope/Bing Crosby Road To Rio, which also starred Dorothy Lamour.  The light touch with a Brazilian theme of the performance in the film might not have predicted its inclusion as one the great jazz standards; it ranks at #133 on the Jazz Standards website. Both Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby recorded  “But Beautiful” in 1948. Its jazz beginnings were from instrumentalists; it was recorded in 1947 by Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis with later recordings by Stan Getz and Lionel Hampton. The jazz vocal versions soon followed, with recordings by Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne and Johnny Hartman. Bill Evans played  “But Beautiful” frequently starting in 1974; it was an inspired choice for Bill Evans’ and Tony Bennett’s first album.

About This Version

We pick this song today as it was one of the highlights of the Tony Bennett concert we attended on Saturday, June 15. Accompanied by Gray Sargent on guitar, Bennett perfectly referenced the intensity and yearning of his 1975 recording with  Bill Evans from their first album.

http://open.spotify.com/track/3iBFz5Y4c2t0zjzdjJmijc
“But Beautiful,” as well as the original The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, is available from iTunes. The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings, which also contains additional takes of several songs, is also available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bill Evans, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke, Road To Rio, The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album

June 17, 2013 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Antonia Bennett’s Sail Away

I didn’t want to let anymore time pass without acknowledging the extraordinary singing by Antonia Bennett last Saturday night in Tacoma, most especially on Noël Coward’s song “Sail Away.”

I’ve always loved the score for Sail Away, but Miss Bennett’s version of this song is by far the best that I have ever heard. It was heartbreakingly beautiful and was sung perfectly.

Thank you, Miss Bennett, for making such a wonderful memories with your “Sail Away.”

Here’s Sir Coward singing his song:
http://open.spotify.com/track/4YjnxkU8jpZL71QQ756JW6

Filed Under: About His Collaborators Tagged With: Antonia Bennett, Noel Coward, Sail Away

June 17, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Today We Are One!

One year old, that is. It simultaneously feels both long and shorter than a year.

First a few statistics:

  • New postings every single day for 365 days
  • 564 posts written
  • 249 comments
  • 24, 495 page views

Wonderful things have happened since we started:

  • We got to see Tony four times in concert
  • Tony released two new albums: Viva Duets and Bennett/Brubeck The White House Sessions Live 1962
  • Tony Bennett has made the albums contained in the Complete Collection available on iTunes.
  • We attended the Monterey Jazz Festival for the first time.  And rebooked for this year as well.
  •  Some of the greatest Tony Bennett fans in the world have found us and read us nearly every day.
  • We have made some wonderful new friends.
  • We have collected some of the greatest search strings in the history of browsing, including
    • i just want to  hear tony bennett and nobody else right now (I have days like that often)
    • bewiced bwildered
  • Discovered that doing a song of the day and a quote of the day, each and every day, remains a true joy and not a chore at all

So, what’s next for The Year of Tony Bennett?

  • It seems that every year is The Year of Tony Bennett, so look for us for another year
  • We have made an excellent start on a new sister site The Interactive Tony Bennett Discography. Feel free to poke around, but it is still under construction

Tony says in his new book, Life is a Gift that

if you follow your passion, you’ll never work a day in your life.

It’s true; I’ve learned that first-hand this year.

So, we’re back for another year, starting tomorrow. My most sincere gratitude to each and every reader. And, of course, our continuous thanks to Mr. Tony Bennett, who has given us an unmatched body of work that we all love so much.

 

 

 

Filed Under: About This Blog

June 17, 2013 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: I Left My Heart in San Francisco

The song of the day for Monday, June 17, 2013 is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

About This Song

As today is the one year anniversary of The Year of Tony Bennett, I have no guilt about picking my favorite Tony Bennett song for today. Written by two homesick San Franciscans, George Cory and Douglass Cross, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” is beloved by people all over the world.

About This Version

Today’s version is the live version from the recently released Bennett/Brubeck The House Sessions Live 1962. Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio sounded wonderful. It’s great to hear the energy and positive feelings from the stage in this wonderful concert.

http://open.spotify.com/track/1qvWvPH7qqDeGzxtPuvFMB
“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” as well as the Bennett/Brubeck The White House Sessions Live 1962 album, is available from iTunes, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Bennett/Brubeck The White House Sessions Live 1962, Douglass Cross, George Cory

June 16, 2013 By Suzanne 2 Comments

June 15 Pantages Theater, Tacoma WA Setlist

Antonia Bennett

Too Marvelous for Words
Taking a Chance on Love
Embraceable You
You’re a Lucky Guy
Sail Away
From This Moment On

Tony Bennett

Watch What Happens
They All Laughed
Maybe This Time
I Got Rhythm
Cold, Cold Heart
Sing, You Sinners
Old Friends (with Antonia)
Steppin’ Out With My Baby
But Beautiful
The Way You Look Tonight
Just in Time
The Boulevard of Broken Dreams
The Good Life
One Upon a Time
For Once in My Life
That Old Black Magic
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Smile
When You’re Smiling
Fly Me To the Moon

Filed Under: Tour News Tagged With: June 15 2013, Pantages Theater, setlist, Tacoma Washington

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