The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: It’s So Peaceful In The Country

The song of the day for Monday, September 14, 2015 is “It’s So Peaceful In The Country.”

About This Song

Alec Wilder
Alec Wilder

Alec Wilder wrote “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” for the singer Mildred Bailey, who recorded it in 1941. Wilder was a great friend to singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. He was an admirer of jazz musicians for their ability to improvise. In addition to writing popular songs, Wilder was also a noted classical composer. His book, American Popular Song, is a masterpiece on the body of work that we call The Great American Songbook.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded It’s So Peaceful In The Country on June 27, 1957. It was originally slated for Bennett’s 1957 album The Beat of My Heart, but was not included on the original LP release. The recording was released as a 45 RPM single in 1957 (Columbia 45: 4-41341) and also on the compilation LP Blue Velvet (CL 1292), also released in 1957. This recording was included on the 1997 CD re-release of The Beat of My Heart (CK 66502).

“It’s So Peaceful In The Country” was arranged by Ralph Sharon, who also plays a lovely piano for this song. The Beat of My Heart was the first album that Ralph Sharon did with Tony Bennett.

It"s So Peacefull In the Country

Listen to It"s So Peacefull In the Country on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957


“It’s So Peaceful In The Country,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: I’ll Be Around

The song of the day for Monday, February 16, 2015 is “I’ll Be Around.”

About This Song

Written in 1942, “I’ll Be Around” is one of Alec Wilder’s loveliest and most touching ballads. Like most of Wilder’s work, it’s a very fine composition and works beautifully with his lyric. Early recordings were made by Cab Calloway and also by the Mills Brothers. After Tony Bennett’s 1963 recording, the song had a revival in interest. This song has also been recorded by Billie Holiday, Rosemary Clooney, Ruby Braff and Marian McPartland.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded his friend’s song in 1963 for his album The Many Moods of Tony, released in 1964. The recording was arranged and conducted by Dick Hyman and features Bobby Hackett on cornet.

About Today

The composer of today’s song, Alec Wilder, was born on February 16, 1907 in Rochester, New York. Wilder is notable for many contributions to American music in the 20th century, including popular and classical music. He loved popular music and was a friend to Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Mabel Mercer and Peggy Lee, among others. His book American Popular Song is arguably the most important book written about the American songbook. He also wrote music for opera, musicals and films as well as a large body of well-respected classical music.

And so today we honor the anniversary of the birth of Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder.

I"ll Be Around

Listen to I"ll Be Around on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1964


“I’ll Be Around,” as well The Many Moods Of Tony, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: A Child is Born

The song of the day for Thursday, December 25, 2014 is “A Child Is Born.”

About This Song

“A Child Is Born” was written in 1969, with music by Thad Jones and lyrics by Alec Wilder.

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans included this song on their second album Together Again, released in 1977.

About Today

It’s Christmas Day. The Year of Tony Bennett wishes you a very Merry Christmas filled with love from friends and family.

A Child Is Born - Remastered 2003

Listen to A Child Is Born - Remastered 2003 on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett, Bill Evans · 1977


“A Child Is Born,” as well as Together Again, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It’s So Peaceful In The Country

The song of the day for Friday, August 29, 2014 is “It’s So Peaceful In The Country.”

About This Song

Alec Wilder wrote the music and lyrics for “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” for the singer Mildred Bailey, who recorded it in 1941. Wilder was a great friend to singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. He was an admirer of jazz musicians for their ability to improvise.

About This Version

As we ease in to Labor Day weekend here in the US, I wanted to play this charming song from Alec Wilder. Tony Bennett recorded “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” in 1957 for The Beat of My Heart, though it was not released until the 1996 CD re-release of the album. It’s a lovely song from one of America’s most gifted composers.

It"s So Peacefull In the Country

Listen to It"s So Peacefull In the Country on Spotify. Song · Tony Bennett · 1957


“It’s So Peaceful in the Country,” as well as The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.

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Song of the Day: It’s So Peaceful In The Country

The song of the day for Thursday, May 15, 2014 is “It’s So Peaceful In The Country.”

About This Song

Alec Wilder wrote “It’s So Peaceful in the Country” for the singer Mildred Bailey, who recorded it in 1941. Wilder was a great friend to singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. He was an admirer of jazz musicians for their ability to improvise.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “It’s So Peaceful In The Country” in 1957; it was released as a 45 RPM single in 1959 and also on the 1997 CD re-release of The Beat of My Heart. This album was Bennett’s second jazz album; for this album he brought in some of the world’s greatest percussionists to feature. This song features Chico Hamilton and was arranged by Ralph Sharon. Sharon’s piano introduction and Bennett’s entrance into the song is really delightful.

We’re having one of our first heat waves of the year in Portland right now. As the heat was coming up off of the road on the way home, I kept thinking how nice it would be to sit by a lake and dangle my feet in the water. By the time I got home, I knew what the song would be. It happens like that sometime.

http://open.spotify.com/track/5AgJDo5WDRs9F4axve1UHD
“It’s So Peaceful In The Country,” as well as the album The Beat of My Heart, is available from iTunes.