As Mr. Bennett returns home after his two month tour of Europe, our Song of the Day is Penthouse Serenade.
About Penthouse Serenade
The song was written in 1931 by Will Jason and Val Burton. The song quickly became a jazz standard and has been recorded many times — 216 different recordings according to AllMusic.com. In addition to Mr. Bennett’s recording, it has been recorded by Ruth Etting (1932), Bob Hope (1937), Nat King Cole (1952), Errol Garner (1949), and Marianne Faithful (1990), among many others.
About This Version
Tony first recorded this song for Hometown, My Town, his second major jazz album (after Cloud 7), released in 1959. With arrangements by Ralph Burns, I believe it stands as one of Tony Bennett’s finest albums (and it is a personal favorite of The Year of Tony Bennett). This album, featuring extended orchestrations of just six songs, summons of the essence of New York. Welcome home, Mr. Bennett.
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