The song of the day for Tuesday, January 15, 2013 is Shakin’ The Blues Away.
About Shakin’ The Blues Away
This song was written by Irving Berlin for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1927.
About This Version
Tony Bennett recorded this song for his 1987 album Bennett/Berlin, consisting of all Irving Berlin tunes. Mr. Bennett arranged the song; we note that a few words in the lyrics were fortunately changed for modern sensibilities. The Ralph Sharon Trio accompanied, with Mr. Sharon (piano), Paul Langosch (bass) and Joe LaBarbera (drums).
Shakin’ The Blues Away, as well as the full Bennett/Berlin album, is available from iTunes.
Sinatra was right: Tony Bennett is the best singer! He does get across what the composer had in mind and then some……..
I think Bennett is unique in that while he always unmistakenly himself, he also always honors the song first. It’s about the music and not about him, as so often happens with very famous performers.