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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

May 7, 2016 By Suzanne 2 Comments

By Request: How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

I had a request for this song today. It’s the birthday of one of our most faithful readers, Aida, from the Russian Tony Bennett Fan Club. Here’s a link to their site, if you’re interested. “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” is one of Aida’s favorite songs, and one of mine as well. I’m more than happy to fulfill the request to talk about this song.

It was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the film Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. I love the music of Michel Legrand and absolutely adore the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman. (Ten seconds into “The Way We Were” sung by Barbara Streisand and I’m crying my eyes out. It’s a Pavlovian response at this point).

The first recording of this song was a duet by James Ingram and Patti Austin.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing

Listen to How Do You Keep The Music Playing on Spotify. James Ingram · Song · 1983.

Tony Bennett first recorded “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” in 1986 for his album The Art of Excellence.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing?

Listen to How Do You Keep The Music Playing? on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1986.

But how did Tony come to record this song in the first place? He tells the story in his autobiography The Good Life, while discussing the album The Art of Excellence:

I included a song on that album called “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, which I had first heard Sinatra sing. One night I went to see Frank perform at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles.I know no idea he knew I was there, but right after he finished singing the song, he said to me, in full view of thousands of people, ‘Tony! You should sing this song!’ How could I refuse?

I’ve heard him sing this song in concert and it completely blew me away. But the performance that really blew me away was the duet he did with Aretha Franklin for Duets II. Sheer, wonderful perfection.

I dare you to see that tear in Bennett’s eye at the end of the song, followed by his glorious smile, and not be moved.

Happy Birthday, Aida!

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Aretha Franklin, Duets II, George Benson, James Ingram, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, Patti Austin, The Art of Excellence

September 15, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

The song of the day for Monday, September 15, 2014 is “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart.”

About This Song

Today’s song was composed by Duke Ellington in 1938 with lyrics by Irving Mills, Henry Nemo and John Redmond. “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart” was a major hit for Duke Ellington, reaching #1 on the charts. In addition to his own recording that year, other recordings by Benny Goodman and Mildred Bailey were made that year and were extremely popular as well. In 1952 Ellington named this song as one of his eleven favorites.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart” in 1967 for the album Tony Makes It Happen! This song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by the great Marion Evans.

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart

Listen to I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1967.

”
“I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart,” as well as the album Tony Makes It Happen!, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: Duke Ellington, Henry Nemo, Irving Mills, John Redmond, Marion Evans

September 6, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: It Had To Be You

The song of the day for Saturday, September 6, 2014 is “It Had To Be You.”

About This Song

“It Had To Be You” was composed in 1924 by Isham Jones with lyrics by Gus Kahn. It is a popular standard with many fine recordings, including those by Paul Whiteman, Cliff Edwards and Frank Sinatra. It has also be used in several films, such as Casablanca and Annie Hall. In spite of this song being 90 years old, it speaks to just about everyone who has ever been in love.

About This Version

Tony Bennett first recorded “It Had To Be You” in 1956 for his second album, Tony. Today’s version, though, is from 1964 for When Lights Are Low, with the Ralph Sharon Trio featuring Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums.

It Had To Be You

Listen to It Had To Be You on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“It Had To Be You,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from iTunes.

Here’s Tony Bennett singing today’s song from his legendary 1994 MTV Unplugged concert, with Ralph Sharon on piano.

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: Gus Kahn, Isham Jones, Ralph Sharon, When Lights Are Low

July 7, 2014 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

The song of the day for Monday, July 7, 2014 is “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars.”

About This Song

“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” was written in 1960 by Antonio Carlos Jobim; the English lyrics are by Gene Lees. Known in the original Portuguese as “Corcovado,” this is one the great early bossa nova songs. The song has a serene quiet feeling–the English title fits the mood of the song perfectly. Both Stan Getz and Miles Davis recorded jazz versions of “Quiet Nights.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” in 1962 for his 1963 album I Wanna Be Around. The song was arranged by Marty Manning.

http://open.spotify.com/track/79MANBUYixOGlFgoZnVTqw
“Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” as well as the album I Wanna Be Around, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees, I Wanna Be Around

December 15, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

By Special Request: Danny Boy

I am more than happy to fulfill a special request by a very special friend to hear Tony Bennett’s exquisite recording of “Danny Boy.”

This song was her late father’s favorite song. If he were still alive, today would be his birthday.

Danny Boy

Listen to Danny Boy on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2012.

The first time I heard this recording, I actually wept.

In 1964, Tony Bennett recorded several songs, including “Danny Boy,” in a session with Herbie Hancock on piano, Stan Getz on tenor sax, Ron Carter on bass and Elvin Jones on drums. All of the songs they recorded that are collected on Volume 1 of Rarities, Outtakes and Other Delights are amazing. Really, really amazing.

Filed Under: Songs Tagged With: Elvin Jones, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter

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