An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
What date is that? It’s December 13, 2020, and you don’t want to miss it.
It’s almost time for The Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, which starts on December 13! Get ready for a festival of Tony Bennett singing Christmas carols and songs.
We can’t think of a better way to count down to Christmas Day and we hope you’ll be joining us.
On the final day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Sunday, December 25, 2017, the song of the day is “A Child Is Born.”
“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969 by Thad Jones, whose younger brother, Elvin, was a noted jazz drummer. Thad Jones was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra starting in 1954. He left the orchestra in 1963 to pursue a career as an arranger and studio trumpet player and later moved to Denmark. “A Child Is Born” is his best known composition; the wonderful lyrics are by Alec Wilder.
Tony Bennet and Bill Evans recorded “A Child Is Born” in 1976 for their second album Together Again.
A Child Is Born
A Child Is Born, a song by Tony Bennett, Bill Evans on Spotify
“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.
Peace on earth and goodwill to all.
On the eleventh day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Sunday, December 24, 2017, the song of the day is “White Christmas.”
Today’s song was written in 1940 by Irving Berlin. “White Christmas” is one of America’s most beloved Christmas songs. In the not-often heard verse of the song, we hear that “the sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway, there’s never been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A. But it’s December the 24 …” And indeed, Irving Berlin was in Los Angeles when he wrote “White Christmas,” expressing that longing for a traditional back-home Christmas. Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1942 and completely dominated the music charts for weeks. Crosby’s single of “White Christmas” is the biggest-selling single record of all time, worldwide, at over 100-million copies.
Tony Bennett recorded this very fine recording of “White Christmas” in 1987 for his album of songs by Irving Berlin: Bennett/Berlin. Dexter Gordon is featured on tenor saxophone.
White Christmas
White Christmas, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
“White Christmas,” as well as Bennett/Berlin, is available from iTunes.
Here’s Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” from the 1942 movie Holiday Inn.
On the tenth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Saturday, December 23, 2017, the song of the day is “Christmas Time Is Here.”
“Christmas Time Is Here” was written in 1965 by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for the beloved television holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is still played each Christmas. This song has also been recorded by artists including Diana Krall, Anita Baker, Mel Tormé and Mariah Carey.
Tony Bennett recorded “Christmas Time Is Here” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas. It was arranged by Torrie Zito.
Christmas Time Is Here
Christmas Time Is Here, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
“Christmas Time Is Here,” as well as A Swingin’ Time, is available from iTunes.
I happy to share the animated video of a new duet of today’s song with Tony and Josh Groban.
On the ninth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Friday, December 22, 2017, the song of the day is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was written in 1943 by Walter Kent (music) and Kim Gannon and Buck Ram (lyrics). This song, released at the height of World War II, tells the story of a soldier stationed overseas, who yearns to be home with family for Christmas, if only in his dreams. Bing Crosby recorded it in 1943 and it was a best seller. The War Department issued a V-Disc with Crosby’s versions of this song and “White Christmas” that was sent to soldiers stationed all over the world. One wonders if the young soldier Anthony Benedetto, who was stationed in Germany, might have listened to this V-Disc at some point.
Tony Bennett recorded this version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas with the Count Basie Big Band. The arrangement was done by Bill Holman.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.