The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Cold, Cold Heart

The Song of the Day for October 10, 2012 is Cold, Cold Heart.

About Cold, Cold Heart

Cold, Cold Heart was written by the great Hank Williams in 1951. In an interesting parallel with Tony Bennett’s I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Cold, Cold Heart was the B-side when it was released by Hank Williams. It went on, of course, to become a very popular country and western song as well as a popular song.

About This Version

We choose Cold, Cold Heart in preparation for the Viva Duets album, on which Tony Bennett will be singing this song with Vincentico.

This version is the original, recorded in 1951. It was arranged and conducted by Percy Faith and reached #1 on the Billboard charts. It was originally released as a single, of course.

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Song of the Day: Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

The Song of the Day for October 9, 2012 is Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me).

About Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

From the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, Who Can I Turn To was written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. It was first recorded by Shirley Bassey, but the recording wasn’t popular.  Tony Bennett then recorded the song and that version became a hit and helped to transfer the musical from London to Broadway.

About This Version

We feature Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) as we prepare for Viva Duets, as Mr. Bennett is singing this song with Gloria Estefan.

Mr. Bennett recorded the song for his 1964 album, Who Can I Turn To. The song was arranged and conducted by George Siravo and the album produced by Ernie Alstchuler, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio [with Billy Exiner (d) and Hal Gaylord(b)] along with an orchestra.

Mr. Bennett also recorded the song with Bill Evans for Together Again and as duet with Queen Latifah on Duets II.

Today’s version is the original, as compiled on Fifty Years – The Artistry of Tony Bennett.

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Song of the Day: A Weaver of Dreams / There Will Never Be Another You

The Song of the Day for October 8, 2012  is the beautiful medley of A Weaver of Dreams and There Will Never Be Another You.

About A Weaver of Dreams and There Will Never Be Another You

A Weaver of Dreams was written by Victor Young and Jack Elliott.

There Will Never Be Another You was written by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Mack Gordon. It was written for the 1942 movie Iceland, starring Sonja Henie. It is widely played jazz standard and has been recorded by many artists, including Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra.

About This Version

This medley is from Tony Bennett’s 1990 Astoria: Portrait of the Artist.  This album is a favorite of this author and this arrangement is really outstanding. Hope you enjoy it.

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Song the the Day: The Good Life

The Song of the Day for October 7, 2012 is The Good Life.

About The Good Life

The Good Life, originally known as La Belle Vie, was written by composer Sacha Distel with lyrics by Jack Reardon. It was written 1962 and was featured in the movie Seven Capital Sins. The song is primariy associated with Tony Bennett, but has been sung by many other performers, including Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, Duke Ellington, Shirley Horn, and many more.

About This Version

We choose this song today in our preparation for Viva Duets, which will include a duet of this song with Franco De Vita. This version is from Mr. Bennett’s 1963 I Wanna Be Around. Note that Mr. Bennett used “The Good Life” as the title of his autobiography.

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Song of the Day: Steppin’ Out With My Baby

The Song of the Day for October 6, 2012 is Steppin’ Out With My Baby

About Steppin’ Out With My Baby

Written by Irving Berlin, Steppin’ Out With My Baby was introduced in the 1949 film Easter Parade, sung by Fred Astaire.

About This Version

We highlight this song in preparation for Mr. Bennett’s upcoming Viva Duets, which will include a duet of this song with Christina Aguilera.

This version is from Tony Bennett’s tribute album to Fred Astaire, Steppin’ Out, from 1993, as compiled on The Essential Tony Bennett album. He also sang it at his 1994 MTV Unplugged live television show.

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