The song of the day for Monday, November 28, 2016 is “Solitude.”
About This Song
Duke Ellington wrote “Solitude” in 1934, with lyrics from Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills added later.
One of his masterpieces, Ellington is said to have written “Solitude” in twenty minutes at the recording session, as they were one number short (Ted Gioia in Jazz Standards). It’s a very strong song for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Ellington made over a hundred recordings of this song. Other great recordings include those by Paul Robeson, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Billy Eckstine.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Solitude” in 1958 with Count Basie and His Orchestra for the album In Person!
“Solitude,” as well as In Person!, is available from iTunes.
I had the great fortune of attending a Tony Bennett concert last month, here in Portland, Oregon. He sang “Solitude” and it was breathtakingly beautiful. I am so glad he’s put in his set list.
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