An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett
On The Twelfth Day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Thursday, December 25, 2014, Tony Bennett sings a medley of Christmas carols.
This medley is from his 1968 Christmas album, Snowfall.
The Year of Tony Bennett would like to wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Medley: We Wish You A Merry Christmas / Silent Night / O Come All You Faithful / Jingle Bells / Where Is Love?
Listen to Medley: We Wish You A Merry Christmas / Silent Night / O Come All You Faithful / Jingle Bells / Where Is Love? on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1968
On the eleventh day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Wednesday, December 24, 2014, our song is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas” was written in 1943, with music by Walter Kent and lyrics by Kim Gannon and Buck Ram. 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 my dreams. Bing Crosby recorded this song 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 sang today’s version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” live on the Jon Stewart Show (now known as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) in December 1994. This recording was added to the CD re-release of Snowfall, Bennett’s first (and wonderful) Christmas album.
http://open.spotify.com/track/3bn8yvVu6rNiRyf2aXaDBx
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas, as well as Snowfall, is available from iTunes.
On the tenth day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Tuesday, December 23, 2014, Tony Bennett sings “White Christmas.”
Irving Berlin wrote “White Christmas” while living in Los Angeles in 1940. It is one of our most beloved Christmas songs. 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.
Today’s recording of “White Christmas” is from Bennett/Berlin, Bennett’s album of Irving Berlin songs, released in 1987. Tony Bennett arranged the songs on this album, accompanied by the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. This song features Dexter Gordon on tenor sax.
White Christmas - 1987 Version
Listen to White Christmas - 1987 Version on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dexter Gordon · 1987
On the ninth day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Monday, December 22, 2014, he sings for us “Silver Bells.”
“Silver Bells” was written in 1950, with music by Jay Livingston and lyrics by Ray Evans. Lyricist Ray Evans says that the song was originally called “Tinkle Bells.” That is, until composer Jay Livingston told his wife about the new song and she reminded him that the word ‘tinkle’ had a another meaning and so it was changed to “Silver Bells.” It was first recorded in 1950 by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards.
Tony Bennett recorded “Silver Bells” for A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008.
http://open.spotify.com/track/3IFdgovo2BeNChD2DWBh7H
“Silver Bells,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.
On the eighth day of a Tony Bennett Christmas, he sings for us “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was written in 1943 by Hugh Martin, with lyrics by Ralph Blane.It was introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song. It is also a favorite of your author, who shares both a home town (Birmingham, Alabama) and an alma mater (Birmingham-Southern College) with Hugh Martin. He was a frequent visitor to both the theater and music departments when he visited home and was always very supportive of our work. Merry Christmas, Mr. Martin.
Tony Bennett first recorded “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in 1968 for Snowfall. Today’s version is from A Swingin’ Christmas, released in 2008.
http://open.spotify.com/track/0Z52gqfioTOy0goZIrjcNy
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.
And who can forget the luminous Judy Garland, singing this song to a young Margaret O’Brien in Meet Me In St. Louis.