The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Poor Little Rich Girl

The Song of the Day for Sunday, November 4, 2012 is Poor Little Rich Girl.

About Poor Little Rich Girl

Poor Little Rich Girl was written by Noel Coward with Philip Braham for the 1925 musical revue, On With The Dance. It opened in Manchester, England and was soon transferred to London.  At the time, Noel Coward was not at all well-known, and barely received a mention in the reviews.

About This Version

This version was recorded by Mr. Bennett with Count Basie and His Orchestra in January 1958 for the Basie / Bennett album, released in 1959. This recording is included on From Now On, a Tony Bennett  compilation album from Europe released in September, 2012.

In this author’s opinion, the Count Basie-Tony Bennett collaboration was a brilliant next step after his two jazz albums: Cloud 7 and Beat Of My Heart. I have always respected Mr. Bennett for giving Count Basie top billing for this album as a measure of his respect for the body of work by Bill Basie. The collaboration with Count Basie further cemented Tony Bennett’s reputation as a jazz musician. This version was arranged by Ralph Sharon and it swings.

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Song of the Day: What A Wonderful World

The Song of the Day for Saturday, November 3, 2012 is What A Wonderful World.

About What A Wonderful World

This song was written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. Louis Armstrong recorded it 1968 and his recording of this song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Other people have recorded this song, but Louis Armstrong has always and will always own it completely. The Tony Bennett / k.d. lang duet of this song is a tribute to Louis Armstrong.

About This Version

Today is the last day of k.d. lang week on The Year of Tony Bennett. It’s been difficult to select the seven songs that represent the ongoing collaboration of these two artists, but I had no trouble in choosing this song.  I do believe it’s their finest duet of all the songs they’ve recorded together. But they have also given us Louis Armstrong. I treasure this song and I hope you will to.  When they sing together, you believe that they’ve been singing together their entire lives. Again: it’s a treasure.

And here is Mr. Armstrong. You were right, Pops.

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Song of the Day: Blue Velvet

The Year of Tony Bennett wishes k.d. lang a very happy birthday and features her duet with Tony Bennett, Blue Velvet, as the song of the day for November 2, 2012.

About Blue Velvet

Blue Velvet was written in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Although Tony Bennett did not record the song first, his 1951 recording, arranged by Percy Faith, was the first recording of the song that was a hit.  Tony Bennett’s version of the song was used several films, including The Last Picture Show and Raging Bull. The song also inspired David Lynch’s 1986 film Blue Velvet, which starred Isabella Rossellini.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and k.d. lang sang Blue Velvet for the 2011 Duets II. This version was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

And again, a very happy birthday to k.d. lang!

 

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Song of the Day: If We Never Meet Again

The Song of the Day for November 1, 2012 is If We Never Meet Again.

About If We Never Meet Again

If We Never Meet Again was written by Louis Armstrong and Horace Gerlach.

About This Version

This version is the duet by Tony Bennett and k.d. lang on A Wonderful World.

As an extra treat, here it is sung and played by the master himself, Louis Armstrong, from approximately 1936.

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Song of the Day: A Kiss To Build A Dream On

The Song of the Day for October 31, 2012 is A Kiss To Build A Dream On.

About A Kiss To Build A Dream On

This song was written in 1935 by  Bert Kalmer, Harry Ruby, and Oscar Hammerstein II. It was featured in a Mickey Rooney called The Strip, and was famously recorded by Louis Armstrong in the same year.

About This Version

As part of k.d. lang week on The Year Of Tony Bennett, this version is, of course, from the wonderful 2002 A Wonderful World.

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