The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. It was arranged by the composer, Johnny Mandel.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: In The Wee Small Hours

The song of the day for Sunday, June 2, 2024, is “In The Wee Small Hours.”

About This Song

“In The Wee Small Hours” was written in 1955 by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. This song is, of course, widely identified with Frank Sinatra, who anchored his well-received concept album In the Wee Small Hours around this song. Interestingly, the song almost didn’t get written. The two songwriters were working in Hilliard’s home in New Jersey. It was well past midnight and Mann was getting ready to leave for home in New York. Hilliard urged him to stay and Mann came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote the lyric.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “In The Wee Small Hours” on February 26, 1964, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. The recording was released on A Time For Love in 1966.

“In The Wee Small Hours,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Funny Valentine

The song of the day for Monday, February 26, 2024, is “My Funny Valentine.”

About This Song

“My Funny Valentine” was written by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart for the 1937 Broadway musical Babes in Arms, where it was introduced by Mitzi Green. This ballad is one of the most-loved songs in the American songbook and has been sung by most jazz and cabaret artists. In addition to Tony Bennett’s excellent recordings of this song, others include those by Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, and Miles Davis.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “My Funny Valentine” sixty years ago today on February 26, 1964, for his album A Time For Love. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and with the rest of his trio (Hal Gaylord on bass and Billy Exiner on drums) accompanied Bennett for this recording.

“My Funny Valentine,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Georgia Rose

The song of the day for Tuesday, November 21, 2023, is “Georgia Rose.”

About This Song

“Georgia Rose” was written by Harry Rosenthal, Alex Sullivan, and Jimmy Flynn for the 1921 musical revue Put and Take.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Georgia Rose” on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Georgia Rose,” as well as A Time For Love, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Shining Sea

The song of the day for Wednesday, August 2, 2023, is “The Shining Sea.”

About This Song

“The Shining Sea” was written by Johnny Mandel and Peggy Lee for the 1966 Cold War comedy The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming. The film concerns a Russian submarine that gets trapped on high ground near a New England town. The town gossip causes mass hysteria, but all is well in the end.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Shining Sea” at CBS 30th Street Studio in New York on June 11, 1966, for his album A Time For Love. Mandel wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra. The recording features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

“The Shining Sea,” as well as A Time For Love is available on Apple Music.