The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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

The song of the day for Saturday, January 23, 2016 is “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.”

About This Song

“I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” was written by Irving Berlin for the 1937 movie On The Avenue, starring Dick Powell and Alice Faye, who introduced the song in the movie. Billie Holiday recorded it 1937 as did Mildred Bailey. Other notable recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

For our readers on the US Eastern seaboard, stay warm and take care during the blizzard. Put on some Tony Bennett albums and you’ll do just great!

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 A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

About Today

It’s Saturday and regular readers know what means!

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Song of the Day: The Christmas Waltz

On the tenth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Wednesday, December 23, 2015, the song of the day is “The Christmas Waltz.”

About This Song

“The Christmas Waltz” was written in 1954 by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Christmas Waltz” for his 2008 album with the Count Basie Big Band, A Swingin’ Christmas.

The Christmas Waltz (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to The Christmas Waltz (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“The Christmas Waltz,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

On the eighth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Monday, December 21, 2015, the song of the day is “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

About This 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. I’d have to say it’s mine as well.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


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

Here’s Judy Garland singing this lovely song, from Meet Me In St. Louis

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Song of the Day: Winter Wonderland

On the sixth day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Saturday, December 19, 2015, the song of the day is “Winter Wonderland.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Winter Wonderland,” was written in 1934 by Felix Barnard and Richard Smith. Smith, the lyricist, wrote this song after a snowfall covered his home town of Honesdale, Pennsylvania. It is, of course, a beloved holiday song, even though the lyrics do not explicitly mention Christmas.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded today’s version of “Winter Wonderland” for his 2008 album A Swingin’ Christmas, which features The Count Basie Big Band. It was arranged by Bill Holman.

Winter Wonderland (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Winter Wonderland (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“Winter Wonderland,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.

About Today

For our video today, we feature Tony and Lady Gaga singing today’s song at last year’s Christmas At Rockefeller Center.

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Song of the Day: Silver Bells

On the third day of the Twelve Days of a Tony Bennett Christmas, Wednesday, December 16, 2015, the song of the day is “Silver Bells.”

About This Song

Today’s song, “Silver Bells” was written in 1950 by William Livingston and Ray Evans. Lyricist Evans says that the song was originally called “Tinkle Bells.” That is, until composer Jay Livingston told his wife about the new song and she reminded him that the word ‘tinkle’ had a another meaning and so it was changed to “Silver Bells.” It was first recorded in 1950 by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards and was also used in the 1951 movie The Lemon Drop Kid with Bob Hope, who performed the song with Marilyn Maxwell.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this song for his jazzy Christmas album A Swingin’ Christmas; it was arranged by Lee Musiker. On piano is Monty Alexander, with Paul Langosch on bass, Gray Sargent on guitar and Harold Jones on drums.

Silver Bells (feat. Count Basie Big Band)

Listen to Silver Bells (feat. Count Basie Big Band) on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Count Basie Big Band · 2008


“Silver Bells,” as well as A Swingin’ Christmas, is available from iTunes.