The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Playlist of the Week: Tony Loves Jazz

The playlist for the week of September 1, 2019, is Tony Loves Jazz. I’ve picked some of his great jazz recordings, presented in chronological order, beginning with Cloud 7 and ending with Love is Here to Stay. We got a lot of songs, but as it’s a holiday weekend in the US, I hope you can find some time to give these a listen.

Did I miss one your favorites? Leave a comment and I promise to make it a song of the day within two weeks.

Tony Loves Jazz

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From Cloud 7, released in 1955
Old Devil Moon
Darn That Dream

From The Beat of My Heart, released in 1957
Lullaby of Broadway
Crazy Rhythm

From Basie/Bennett, released in 1959
With Plenty of Money and You
Poor Little Rich Girl

From In Person!, released in 1959
Taking a Chance on Love
Fascinatin’ Rhythm

From My Heart Sings, released in 1961
Dancing in the Dark
Stella By Starlight

From Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall, released in 1962
Solitude

From Bennett & Brubeck: The White Sessions, Live 1962, released in 2013, recorded in 1962
Lullaby of Broadway
There Will Never Be Another You

From Tony Makes It Happen!, released in 1967
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Old Devil Moon

From The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album, released in 1975
Days of Wine and Roses
Some Other Time

From Together Again, released in 1977
Dream Dancing
Make Someone Happy

From Tony Bennett On Holiday, released in 1997
That Ole Devil Called Love
All Of Me

From Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool, released in 1999
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
Sophisticated Lady

From Duets II, released in 2011
The Lady is a Tramp
Body and Soul

From The Silver Lining: Songs of Jerome Kern, released in 2015
I Won’t Dance
I’m Old Fashioned

From Love Is Here To Stay, released in 2018
I Got Rhythm
Who Cares?

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Song of the Day: How Do You Keep The Music Playing

The song of the day for Saturday, March 17, 2018 is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written by Michel Legrand with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was written for the 1982 movie Best Friends, which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn. The initial recording was a duet by Patti Austin and James Ingram, which became a hit single in 1983. It was one of three songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman that were nominated that year for an Academy Award for Best Song (though the award went to “Up Where We Belong” from the movie An Officer and a Gentleman). The song has become a popular standard and has had many fine recordings, including those by Frank Sinatra (who encouraged Bennett to sing this song), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett, Tony Bennett and George Michael and, most recently, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” for his 1986 album The Art of Excellence.

How Do You Keep The Music Playing? – 2011 Remaster

How Do You Keep The Music Playing? – 2011 Remaster, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as The Art of Excellence, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s YouTube Saturday! Today we have the wonderful duet of Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin singing today’s song, recorded for the 2011 Duets II album.

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

On the third day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Saturday, December 16, 2017, the song of the day is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 movie Meet Me In St. Louis, where it was introduced by Judy Garland. In a Twitter conversation in November 2012, Tony Bennett said that “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is his favorite Christmas song. It’s definitely mine as well, and not just because I was born in the same town and attended the same college as its composer, Hugh Martin.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version for the 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas, with Lee Musiker on piano and Harold Jones on drums, as well as the Count Basie Big Band.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

About Today

As it is our custom to have a video each Saturday, I’m pleased to present Judy Garland singing today’s song to a very young Margaret O’Brien. Miss O’Brien won an Academy Award as Outstanding Child Actress for her work in this film.

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Song of the Day: Snowfall

Today is the first day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas.

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 14, 2016 is “Snowfall.”

About This Song

“Snowfall” was written in 1941 by Claude Thornhill (music) and his wife Ruth Thornhill (lyrics). It’s an unusual song: it’s a cool jazz song, though written in 1941, long before there was such as thing as cool jazz. It’s evocative and moody and quite beautiful.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Snowfall” in 1968 for the album Snowfall, released that same year. The lovely arrangement was by Robert Farnon, who conducted as well.

Snowfall

Snowfall, a song by Tony Bennett on Spotify


“Snowfall,” as well as the album Snowfall, is available from iTunes.

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