12 Days of Tony Bennett Christmas Archives | Page 3 of 4

December 20, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Snowfall

On the Seventh Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Thursday, December 20, 2012, the song of the day is Snowfall.

Holiday in the Sierras by Anthony Dominick Benedetto

About Snowfall

Snowfall was written in 1941 by the band leader Claude Thornhill. Although he started his orchestra as a dance band, his true jazz roots soon emerged, as evidenced by his association with Gil Evans who wrote many of the orchestrations for Thornhill. In 1942, while his band was doing very well, he enlisted in the Navy and toured the Pacific Theater with Jackie Cooper and Dennis Day. Upon returning to civilian life after the war, he reformed the band and introduced bebop to his style.

Snowfall has been recorded by many jazz performers, including Glenn Miller, George Shearing and the Manhattan Transfer.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song in 1968 for his first Christmas album, Snowfall. The album was arranged and conducted by Robert Farnon, with music supervision by Tony Tamburello.

Snowfall
Tony Bennett · Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album · Song · 1968

The song Snowfall, as well as the entire album, is available from iTunes.

December 19, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ll Be Home For Christmas

On the Sixth Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Wednesday, December 19, 2012, the song of the day is I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

Tony Bennett painting for the American Cancer Society Christmas Card for 2012

About I’ll Be Home For Christmas

I’ll Be Home For Christmas was written in 1943 by Walter Kent with original lyrics by Kim Gannon. Buck Ram, who had also written a song based on his own poem of the same name, was later added as a lyricist. Originally recorded by Bing Crosby, the song is said to have been written from a soldier in World War II, yearning to be back home for Christmas.

Bing Crosby’s recording was released by the U.S. War Department on a V-Disc for soldiers stationed overseas.

About This Version

This version of I’ll Be Home For Christmas is from Tony Bennett’s album A Swingin’ Christmas, featuring the Count Basie Big Band and the Quartet with Monty Alexander (p), Gray Sargent (g), Paul Langosch (b) and Harold Jones (d). The song was arranged and conducted by Bill Holman. Unlike other recordings of I’ll Be Home For Christmas, this version is delightfully upbeat.

I"ll Be Home for Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band)
Listen to I"ll Be Home for Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008

I’ll Be Home For Christmas, as well as the full A Swingin’ Christmas album, is available from iTunes.

December 18, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Christmasland

On the Fifth Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Tuesday, December 18, 2012, the song of the day is Christmasland.

Painting by Tony Bennett for the American Cancer Society Christmas card for 2010

About Christmasland

Christmasland was written by brothers Brian and Robert Farnon. Robert Farnon arranged and conducted the 1968 album Snowfall.

About This Version

This song was recorded in 1968 for the Christmas album Snowfall. It’s a lovely and evocative Christmas song.

Christmasland
Tony Bennett · Snowfall - The Tony Bennett Christmas Album · Song · 1968

Christmasland, as well as the full Snowfall album, is available from iTunes.

December 17, 2012 By Suzanne 1 Comment

Song of the Day: White Christmas

On the Fourth Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Monday, December 17, 2012, the song of the day is White Christmas.

About White Christmas

White Christmas was written by Irving Berlin in 1940. The song was first publicly performed by Bing Crosby on his radio show, The Kraft Music Hall on Christmas Day, 1941. Although many performers have recorded this song, it continues to be associated with Bing Crosby. The song was featured in the 1942 film, Holiday Inn, and was performed by Mr. Crosby. It was also used for the 1954 film, White Christmas, with Mr. Crosby and Rosemary Clooney (which your author saw last night and enjoyed thoroughly).

Crosby’s single version of White Christmas is estimated to have sold 50 million copies, the biggest-selling single of all time.

About This Version

Today we feature a version of White Christmas that is not from one Mr. Bennett’s Christmas albums, but instead from his 1987 Bennett/Berlin album. This version features the great Dexter Gordon on tenor saxophone and Ralph Sharon Trio, with Mr. Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch (bass) and Joe LaBarbera (drums).

White Christmas - 1987 Version
Listen to White Christmas - 1987 Version on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Dexter Gordon · 1987

White Christmas, as well as the full Bennett/Berlin album, is available on iTunes.

December 16, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

On the Third Day of Tony Bennett Christmas, Sunday, December 16, 2012, the song of the day is I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.

Tony Bennett painting for the American Cancer Society Christmas Card for 2010

About I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

Not technically a Christmas song, this delightful song by Irving Berlin is a holiday favorite. It was written in 1937 and introduced in the film On The Avenue by Dick Powell and Alice Faye. It’s had many notable recordings from singers including Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Another notable recording is the version by Billie Holiday, which I heard the other morning at Starbucks; it completely blew me away.

About This Version

Today’s version is the duet of the song with his daughter, Antonia Bennett, from the 2008 Swingin’ Christmas with the Count Basie Big Band. We are big fans of Antonia Bennett, having seen her perform with her father at his concerts. Tony Bennett also recorded the same song as a medley with Winter Weather, on the 1968 Snowfall album.

I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band)
Listen to I"ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008

I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, as well as the full Swingin’ Christmas with the Count Basie Big Band, is available on iTunes.