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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

November 20, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: So Many Stars

The song of the day for Monday, November 21, 2022, is “So Many Stars.”

About This Song

“So Many Stars” was written in 1067 by Sergio Mendes, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was originally written for Sergio Mendes and the Brasil 66 for their 1968 album Look Around. Since then, the song has found great popularity with popular, jazz and cabaret artists including Kathleen Battle, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Earl Klugh, Cleo Laine, and Susannah McCorkle.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “So Many Stars” in January 1986 and was released that year on The Art of Excellence. The album was orchestrated and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.

“So Many Stars,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Jorge Calandrelli, Marilyn Bergman, Sergio Mendes, The Art of Excellence, Tony Bennett

November 17, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Friday, November 18, 2022, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”

About This Song

How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

The song 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.

Marilyn Bergman died on January 8, 2022, at the age of 93. Tony Bennett once said that when Frank Sinatra died in 1988, Marilyn Bergman called him and told him that it was up to him to carry the torch. I have to wonder who will carry the torch for Marilyn Bergman.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?” on January 10, 1986, for his album The Art of Excellence, released that year. Jorge Calandrelli wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing?,” as well as The Art of Excellence is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Jorge Callandrelli, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, The Art of Excellence, Tony Bennett

November 11, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Saturday, November 12, 2022, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe In Spring” was written by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Jacques Demy, for the 1967 French film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, which starred Catherine Deneuve. Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the English lyrics. “You Must Believe In Spring” has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe In Spring” in September 1976 for their second album Together Again, released in 1977.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Bill Evans, Jacques Demy, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, Together Again, Tony Bennett

March 26, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: You Must Believe In Spring

The song of the day for Sunday, March 27, 2022, is “You Must Believe In Spring.”

About This Song

“You Must Believe in Spring” was composed by Michel Legrand for the 1967 film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort. Jacques Demy wrote the original French lyrics; Alan and Marilyn Bergman wrote the English lyrics. This song has been widely recorded by artists including Sylvia Syms, Barbra Streisand, and Bill Evans, in a posthumous release of an album with the same name, featuring sessions with Eddie Gomez and Eliot Zigmund.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “You Must Believe in Spring” in 1976 for their second album, Together Again.

“You Must Believe In Spring,” as well as Together Again is available on Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Bill Evans, Jacques Demy, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand, Together Again, Tony Bennett

March 24, 2022 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

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

The song of the day for Friday, March 25, 2022, is “How Do You Keep The Music Playing.”

About Today

Today we are honoring the late Aretha Franklin, who was born on March 25, 1942.

About This Song

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing” was written in 1982 by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, for the movie Best Friends, starring Bert Reynolds and Goldie Hawn.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin recorded “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” in 2011 for Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.

“How Do You Keep The Music Playing,” as well as Duets II is available on Apple Music.

Here’s the music video of this recording.

And while we’re paying tribute to Aretha Franklin, this clip from the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015 is one of the greatest moments I’ve ever seen.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Alan Bergman, Aretha Franklin, Duets II, Happy Birthday Aretha Franklin, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand

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